ABOUT
Allegory Art Collective functions as a dynamic showroom, a place where thoughtfully curated bodies of work are presented in a cohesive, immersive setting. The long-term vision for the Collective includes showcasing not only painters and sculptors, but also furniture makers, textile artists, and other creators whose handmade works bring artistry into the home. The Collective is designed as a strategic asset for both artists and collectors.
The word allegory, in the context of art, means the subject of the artwork, or the elements that form the composition, symbolize a deeper meaning.
Our Team
Cara Alford
Cara Alford is a Charleston, S.C., based arts administrator and cultural advocate. Upon the completion of her MA in Art + Museum Studies from Georgetown University, she went on to work for several arts organizations in the Washington, D.C. area.
From 2017-2022, Cara was Executive Director of Redux Contemporary Art Center in Downtown Charleston. During her tenure at Redux, she led the organization through an unprecedented phase of growth. She reinvigorated Redux through thoughtfully curated exhibitions, community cultivation, and elevated programming, all of which emphasized the organization’s core values of fostering creativity and the cultivation of contemporary art.
Since leaving Redux, Cara has continued to serve the artistic community in Charleston and beyond through independent curatorial projects and creative consulting offerings.
Founder
Julia Deckman
Julia Deckman is a Charleston-based painter and creative professional who brings both firsthand artistic experience and a deep commitment to supporting the work of other artists. In her role as Creative Operations Lead, she helps Allegory run smoothly behind the scenes — so that the focus can stay where it belongs: on the art and the people making it.
Having navigated the demands of a sustained studio practice herself, Julia understands what artists need to feel supported, seen, and free to create. That understanding shapes everything she brings to Allegory Art Collective.
Creative Operations Lead