Dawn Okoro’s “Effacement,” on the set of Law & Order: Organized Crime as placed by Art Lease Austin

Law & Order viewers were just treated to a stunning Austin art cameo placed by the newly launched Art Lease Austin (ALA). The work of multidisciplinary artist Dawn Okoro graced the set of the long running and much beloved legal drama, earning exposure to seven million viewers. Thanks to the partnership of Universal Television Production Designer Carlos Menéndes and Art Lease Austin founder Kathryn Stern, three Afrofuturism-inspired paintings from Okoro’s Punk Noir collection added their bold vibrancy to the set of the Organized Crime franchise starring Christopher Meloni (Det. Elliot Stabler). Art Lease Austin facilitates selection, acquisition, lease and loan programs catering to the TV/Film industry, interior designers, stagers, and art collectors. The ALA patronage-model business enables artists to earn through leasing projects, and has already enjoyed notable success curating for TV/film and individual collectors, while making positive inroads with interior designers.

Art Lease Austin’s connection to the NYC television and film community combined with Production Designer and Art Director Carlos Menéndez’s willingness to support original artwork enabled Law & Order’s recent art loan. Over an acclaimed 30+ year career, Menéndez has worked across TV, Film and commercials with the likes of Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Andy Garcia, Michael Mann, Terrance Malick, Richard Dreyfus, and more. He recently recreated the original Law & Order set in stunning detail. As a University of Texas School of Architecture graduate, Menéndez maintains his relationships in Texas, leading to the selection of ALA as a partner on the project.

“When Carlos described his vision, Dawn’s bold and beautiful work that I’d seen at Martha’s Contemporary earlier in the year, came to mind immediately. Out of all the pieces in the gallery at that time, her bold, bright, animated work really caught my attention.” says ALA Founder Kathryn Stern. “I was tasked with identifying original artwork celebrating African American culture.”

Dawn Okoro with Punk Noir series, Photo by Shane Gordon

ALA aims to increase the durability of the art market by offering an affordable option to designer’s clients, increasing the visibility of local artists, and through its European-inspired patronage model. “When art continues to earn through the secondary market, such as ALA lease programs, the artist gains access to continuing revenue, operationally enacting a “dua de suite” in contrast to the American tradition of first sale.

Dawn Okoro’s on-set artwork first appears in gallery scenes in season 2, episode 15 (“Takeover”) of Law & Order: Organized Crime, which aired Thursday, March 10, 2022. Selected paintings include “Moyo,” acrylic and copper leaf on canvas, “Three Graces,” acrylic on canvas, and “Effacement,” acrylic, copper leaf, and metal spikes on canvas, all part of her Punk Noir series. From Set Decorator Caroline Ghertler, who led the national artwork search, up through the ranks of the art department and ultimately the show’s Director, Okoro’s work made a lasting impression.

“Once art enters a private collection many times it’s sequestered and can no longer make an impact on a large number of people. At the same time, there are individuals who need or desire exceptional original artwork outside of the commitment of full ownership. ALA programs allow artwork to come out into the world to inspire and change lives,” says Stern.

Beyond providing interior designers and stagers with physical art for their projects, Stern curates original artwork for business owners and individuals alike, working with dealers across the country and overseas. The boutique ALA collection of leasable paintings includes artwork by artists Patrick Pucket, Jana Swec, Shane Scribner, Catherine Allen,Thad Morgan, and Lisa Harrison, all of whom either live, work, or show in the Austin area.

Dawn Okoro’s desire to make art sparked from her love of fashion illustration and design. Her work is influenced by punk and the composition techniques used in fashion photography. Okoro has collaborated with Pepsico and had work on set for productions at NBC, Sony Pictures, and BET. She is featured in Harper’s Bazaar, Architectural Digest, Hyperallergic, USA Today, W Magazine, and in Essence.

Okoro’s solo exhibition, “Mad Explosive Spontaneity,” is at Maddox Gallery in London through March 24, 2022. In Austin, Okoro’s work can be viewed outside the Carver Branch of Austin Public Library. The piece, “Austin Storybox” is a public art collaboration with renowned Austin creatives Adrian Armstrong (artist), and Mobley (artist and musician).

“There’s something about paint and canvas that’s transformative. To use a music analogy, it’s the difference between a concert and a recording,” says Stern.

“As a young professional in my 20’s I would stare at artwork through gallery windows. Lease and payment plan options were not common then, but this was artwork I longed for, and I knew others felt the same. I conceived of a model that would allow in-home enjoyment of original artwork at widely achievable investment levels. After so many years imagining the possibilities, it’s thrilling to bring this service to life and make it real.”

About Art Lease Austin

Owned by long time Austin native and private art collector Kathryn Stern, Art Lease Austin connects luxury interior designers, vacation rental super hosts, next-level real estate stagers, and production designers with all original, locally sourced, elegant works of art. With ALA’s patronage-model, part of the proceeds from each transaction flow back to the artists, empowering them to continue creating.

​Well crafted, original art can be quite expensive, intimidating to procure, and it can take time to cultivate one’s personal taste. Leasing offers clients the time, freedom & flexibility to discover their own aesthetic. This “try before you buy” approach, with its flexible payments and the ability to swap out pieces, ensures the perfect fit. Art Lease Austin offers consultation and curatorial services for help selecting the right piece for each project or finding something outside the collection.

Raised by an engineer and self taught painter, and inspired by her own study of art as a youngster, founder and Austin native Kathryn Stern conceived of Art Lease Austin to meet the need for affordable and time-specific access to original art through her expertise in sourcing and art loan facilitation.

Connect and learn more at ArtLeaseAustin.com

Instagram: @artleaseaustin