Arnie Lizan and Elizabeth Tops Lizan

The meeting of Arnie Lizan and Elizabeth Tops Lizan in 1993 on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art set the tone for their accomplishments in the following years. In California, Elizabeth had been the owner of two galleries and an art advisor. Arnie was a former business owner who had practical experience designing architecturally inspired living spaces and a life-long passion for contemporary art. They merged their expertise, creating a business that serves both collectors and artists.

Lizan Tops Gallery

East Hampton, New York

From 1992 to 2004 the Lizan Tops Gallery  successfully exhibited contemporary artists from New York and the Hamptons. The decision to give up a traditional gallery location was based on the perception that clients and artists could be better served without the rigorous demands of a full-time exhibition space.

Academic Endeavors

After closing the gallery, both the Lizans went on to further their education, pursuing master’s programs to increase their knowledge of the contemporary art world. Arnie has since received a master’s degree in contemporary art through Sotheby’s, New York and the University of Manchester, London.  Having written his thesis on “The Confluence of Art and Philanthropy,” he is in the planning stages of a book on the same topic.  Elizabeth is in the Art Librarianship master’s program at Pratt Institute and is currently working on archival projects at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.