January 14, 2026, New York, NY—The partners of Luhring Augustine today announced a leadership transition that will position the gallery for its next chapter. Forty years after co-founding the gallery with Lawrence Luhring, Roland Augustine will retire to focus on philanthropic and independent advisory pursuits. Luhring will assume leadership of the gallery alongside partners Donald Johnson Montenegro and Lauren Wittels, who will join him now as gallery principals.
Founded in 1985, Luhring Augustine has played a formative role in shaping contemporary art discourse in New York and internationally over the past four decades. The gallery will continue to operate from its established locations in Tribeca and Chelsea, supporting a program that spans historical depth and contemporary practice. All staff will remain in their current positions.
Working alongside Luhring and Augustine, Wittels and Johnson Montenegro have each been instrumental in the gallery’s development. Wittels joined the gallery first from 1989 to 1995, returned in 2011, and was made partner in 2019; Johnson Montenegro joined the gallery in 2012, and was made partner in 2020.
Entering this new chapter, Luhring Augustine builds on a legacy of sustained artist relationships and an exhibition program that continues to evolve in scope and ambition. The gallery’s forthcoming presentations reflect this breadth and caliber. In Chelsea, the gallery will open an exhibition of Yasumasa Morimura and Charles Atlas in late January, followed in April by a major presentation of significant works by Leon Kossoff. In Tribeca, the 2026 program will open in mid-January with an exhibition of work by Zarina—the gallery’s first presentation of the artist’s work since her passing in 2020—followed by a solo exhibition of new paintings by Emily Kraus opening in April.
“When we opened in April of 1985, I was 29 and Roland was 34. He was like an older brother, and I was green in business. We learned a lot by trying things out. Pipilotti Rist once said that I was the Nordic cool to Roland’s Mediterranean heat. I think it made for great synergy over the years. I wish Roland the best moving forward and am confident that Lauren, Donald, and I will create our own dynamic for the gallery’s next phase,” said Lawrence Luhring.
“Working with artists at Luhring Augustine, and alongside Lawrence, Donald, and Lauren, has been one of the great pleasures of my life. Nothing will please me more than to see the successful continuation of this team, and the artists the gallery has been fortunate to represent. I leave confident in the direction the gallery is taking as it extends the legacy of our past many decades into the future,” said Roland Augustine.
Partner Lauren Wittels said, “Luhring Augustine has always been dedicated to serving artists in whose work we truly and wholeheartedly believe. It has been an honor to work with the gallery team to support such important artists: helping them build long-lasting careers; bringing their work into conversation with curators, collectors, and institutions; as well as introducing them to a variety of audiences far and wide. We are energized by the opportunity to think even more creatively about how a gallery can support exchange, discovery, and ongoing engagement today and in the future.”
Partner Donald Johnson Montenegro added, “One of the great legacies that Roland leaves the gallery is a genuine warmth and passion for the work we do—it is as much a part of his character as it is an essential part of the DNA and ethos of Luhring Augustine, and something which we will proudly continue. I believe this is part of what sets our gallery apart, along with the way in which we prioritize sustained relationships with artists and our careful development of their careers. We are grateful for Roland’s friendship and mentorship over these past many years and are excited for this next chapter advocating on behalf of an extraordinary group of artists and with a remarkable team.”
The team at Luhring Augustine looks forward to welcoming visitors to its next exhibitions. Zarina: Beyond the Stars will be on view at 17 White Street in Tribeca from January 17 through March 28. Yasumasa Morimura and Charles Atlas will be on view at 531 West 24th Street in Chelsea from January 30 through March 21.
For press requests, please contact Sarah Goulet at sarah@sarahgoulet.com and Caroline Burghardt at caroline@luhringaugustine.com.