Home » Interviews » Kathryn Mikesell: Founder, Fountainhead Residency, Fountainhead Studios

Kathryn Mikesell: Founder, Fountainhead Residency, Fountainhead Studios

Introduction to Kathryn Mikesell. 1:49 min. Interview: Raymond Elman. Post Production: Nicole Garay + Maria Ortiz. Music: Julie Maxwell, “Memories of Mars.” Recorded via Zoom, 1/14/2021, Miami.

In 2008, KATHRYN MIKESELL founded The Fountainhead Residency, bringing artists from around the world to live and work in Miami. Hosting 30-40 artists per year, The Fountainhead Residency has had over 300 artists from over 36 countries spanning all continents but Antarctica. That same year, Mikesell launched The Fountainhead Studios, providing an affordable, flexible workspace to Miami-based artists.

Through her efforts, Mikesell has developed lasting relationships with artists, galleries, museums and thought leaders worldwide. Due to ever-increasing demand for her experience and connections, Kathryn launched her art advisory service, Your Fountainhead.

She works with individuals, developers, and corporations. She helps budding and established collectors with personalized access to artists, artworks and galleries. For developers, Mikesell will source available work and commission art that engages all who enter and compliments the architecture. Corporations seek out her services to enliven the work environment and create unique experiences for employees and clients alike.

Mikesell has been featured on CNN and HGTV, in Departures Magazine, Indulge, MIAMI Magazine, Ocean Drive and The Miami Herald. Over almost twenty years, Mikesell, along with husband Dan Mikesell, has built one of Florida’s most important contemporary collections.

The videos below were recorded via Zoom, are organized by topic, and run between 1-10 minutes. Click on any video. You must be connected to the Internet to view the videos.

INSIGHT & INSPIRATION: 3:49 min.

Where did you grow up and what was your first awareness of art of any discipline?

BREAKS THE RULES: 1:37 min.

Where did you go to school, and what did you learn that still informs you today?

OVERCOMES CHALLENGES TO SUCCEED: 3:46 min

What was your first job in Washington, D.C.?

SEIZES OPPORTUNITIES: 9:34 min.

What was your transition from selling cars to being a key executive in a company that was purchased by IBM?

CRITICAL THINKING: 1:29 min.

Do you mind mentioning the name of the company that was involved with telephony?

OPEN TO CHANGE, FLEXIBILITY: 4:36 min.

How did you develop a passion for visual art and become collectors?

EXPOSURE TO BROAD INFLUENCES: 2:44 min.

When you started buying art, who were your role models and influencers?

COMMUNITY VALUES: 0:51 min.

I assume you know Suzanne Delehanty, who was director of MAM and led the conversion to PAMM?

RESPECTS OTHERS POINTS OF VEIW: 1:44 sec.

Do you think your experience in sales helped prepare you to seek advice from prominent, successful people in the art world?

COMMUNITY VALUES: 3:27 min.

How has your approach to collecting evolved?

INSIGHT & INSPIRATION: 1:13 sec.

Did you see “Herb & Dorothy,” the documentary film about a U.S. Postal Service worker and a librarian who use one of their salaries to buy art, and amass a collection worth many $millions?

COMMUNITY VALUES: 6:29 sec.