How ARO Found Her Way into the John Mann Gallery — And Why Collectors Are Paying Attention

John Mann Gallery Saturday, June 29, 2024 Meet the Artist “Reflective” exhibition

Sometimes an artist’s path to representation is as much about timing and champions as it is about talent. This was the case with Quebec-based artist Caroline Bergeron, known professionally as ARO, whose journey to the John Mann Gallery began through the persistence of senior artist Patricia Gagic. Already part of the gallery’s stable, Patricia recognized something rare and urgent in ARO’s work and believed it deserved a wider audience. She pushed for the gallery to take notice — and that introduction set in motion a relationship that would soon make waves with collectors.

In early spring, Patricia approached the gallery with ARO’s portfolio, sharing the story of a young artist whose bold, emotional canvases were not only gaining traction internationally, but had also found their way into the office of former First Lady Michelle Obama.

(left to right) Patricia Gagic, John Mann, ARO

That kind of placement is a powerful endorsement in the art world, signaling both reach and resonance. For the John Mann Gallery, it was the kind of signal worth paying attention to.

ARO was officially signed on September 2, 2023, and her work debuted in the gallery’s Winter Group Show. The response was immediate. Collectors were drawn to her fearless use of color, layered abstraction, and poetic sense of form. There was a sense of discovery, of being at the front edge of something significant — and ARO’s trajectory seemed to affirm that instinct.

Her major exhibition followed soon after: Reflective (June 29 – July 27, 2024), where she shared the stage with Chaka Chikodzi and Floyd Elzinga. For ARO, it was both a breakthrough moment and an affirmation that the gallery’s faith was well placed.

What makes her story so compelling for collectors is this combination of trusted endorsement and market momentum. A respected artist like Patricia Gagic advocating for ARO, a placement in Michelle Obama’s office, international attention, and now the validation of serious collectors — these are the signals that define an artist on the rise.

Though her journey was touched with poignancy — she returned for her artist talk on July 4, 2025, only to learn of John Mann’s passing two days earlier — ARO continues to honor that relationship. And at Armstrong Fine Art Consultant, we are proud to carry forward the support for her career, ensuring that collectors have the opportunity to engage with this remarkable emerging voice.

For collectors, ARO represents the rare convergence of authentic vision, critical attention, and market resonance. It’s the kind of story worth following — and the kind of artist whose work is worth collecting now.