Penelope Bianchi

Support the VIP Team at Frieze Masters by running the VIP Desk throughout the duration of the fair. This involves using Frieze’s CRM system to amend invitation issues, book new passes, and share passes with VIP guests. In general, assist VIPs with any queries they have about the logistics of the fair and the associated programme. Additionally, I work at off-site VIP events such as Frieze Music, during which I work closely with security to ensure the safety of guests and adress VIP issues.

Founded a digital and in-print Art Business Magazine with submissions open to students from all universities. As Head of Marketing, I have been in charge of making posts for our Instagram which have gained significant traction and positive feedback. Shortlisted for Best Society President and for Most Improved Society out of over 200 societies at the LSE. Hosted the following speakers: Phillip Hoffman (Fine Art Group), Simran Kaur (fashion photographer & creative director), Ishrat Kanga (Head of Sale, Director at Sotheby’s), Kaye Donachie (British painter), Anastasia Antonova (Senior UX designer), Anthea Peers (EMEA President of Christie’s), Oliver Barker (Chairman of Sotheby’s), Alina Davey (Senior Director, International Business Director at Sotheby’s), Bengisu Yildirim (Creative entrepreneur), The Team behind Perediza (a print magazine and digital platform), Wolfgang Tillmans (German Photographer, named one of the most influential people in the world by Time in 2023), Will Jarvis (CEO of Gertrude App & Co-Founder of The Sunday Painter), Mario Negro (fashion photographer), Sebastian Fahey (Managing Director of Global Fine Art at Sotheby’s). Received event endorsements from Dazed Magazine and Seb’s Art List, as well as partnering with Sotheby’s New York office who reached out to me to discuss opportunities to collaborate.

Event planning and organising, including reaching out to potential speakers (e.g. organised the society's first speaker event with a renowned figure at Christie’s), coordinating funding and sourcing sponsorship for events, and working as a research analyst for the Art Business Magazine and for the Instagram social media page.

Provide support in a front-of-house role by welcoming visitors, providing information about the building, the exhibitions and the events, helping run the exhibition shop, looking after the gallery spaces, ensuring the safety of visitors and exhibitions objects

'Assistante montage' for artist Renaud Auguste-Dormeuil's exhibition at Villa Medici (running from 4th of July to 24th of September 2023). Saw the setting up of the exhibition from start to end - from preparing the walls and assisting in the curation to creating visual maps with information on the artwork on Adobe Illustrator. Additionally assisted in the social media marketing for the opening.

Supported the marketing team to help develop and deliver the campaigns for the fair’s three evening events, contributed to digital marketing activity and looked after event and media partnerships, supported the VIP relations manager to develop and manage the VIP programme and associated VIP package, ran the VIP desk, looked after the Collector’s Lounge, assisted in greeting VIPs and facilitating tours, provided visitor information, invigilated the exhibitions, liaised with the galleries and curatorial team, invigilated and facilitated sales, provided customer care on site, and coordinated and promoted the talks programme and managed the speakers and their requirements onsite.

Front-of-house, took customer orders and delivered food & beverages, worked behind the bar making drinks (coffees, freshly-made juices), made menu recommendations and answered customer questions, ensured cleanliness of the highest standard at all times, managed closing duties including reconciliation of the till.

Translated parts of the 10B Photography website from Italian to English, involved with the preparation and social media promotion for the 2018 World Press Photo Awards, gained knowledge of gallery operations and art events, assisted Francesco Zizola (multi-award winning Italian documentary photographer) on his latest projects.