Today we’d like to introduce you to Felicia Frazier.
Hi Felicia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Art Made Me Brave: My Journey from Publishing Executive to Art Gallery Founder
By Felicia Frazier
For nearly thirty years, I worked at the highest levels of book publishing—most recently as a Senior Vice President at Penguin Random House in NYC. I led national sales teams, championed authors, and helped launch countless books into the world. It was truly meaningful work. I believed in the power of stories to shape lives, and I was proud to be part of that mission.
But a few years ago, I felt a quiet but persistent calling—one that invited me to step away from what I knew and step into something more personal, more creative, and far more uncertain.
That calling led me to South Beach, Miami, where I founded Dolly and Oz Presents—a gallery and creative platform named in honor of my parents. It began as a leap of faith and became something extraordinary.
Dolly and Oz Presents is more than a gallery—it’s a platform for creative courage. I showcase work across mediums: photography, sculpture, textiles, ceramics, and paintings. I host artist talks, live painting sessions, and launched a weekly Sunday evening series called “Wine Down Sundays.”
That series was inspired by the great literary salons of Paris, where writers, artists, and thinkers once gathered to exchange ideas, challenge convention, and build community. I wanted to create something like that for our time—a space that blends art and conversation, beauty and curiosity, ritual and spontaneity.
“Wine Down Sundays” has become a cherished community gathering. Sometimes formal, often informal, always intentional—it’s where strangers become neighbors, artists become storytellers, and collectors enjoy a truly intimate, bespoke experience with both art and artist.
Because at the heart of it all is story.
We tell stories through the art we hang, the conversations we spark, and the lived moments we share. Whether in words or brushstrokes, in photograph or sculpture, I believe creativity shapes the very fabric of our souls.
Art reminds us of who we are—and who we’re still becoming.
In many ways, I’ve brought the best of what I learned in publishing into this next chapter: recognizing talent, supporting the power of artistic narrative, and building community. But for me, this work is more intimate. It’s intuitive. It’s spiritual. It reminds me every day that art doesn’t just decorate our lives—it reveals them.
And in creating Dolly and Oz Presents, I’ve discovered something powerful: art doesn’t just make us brave—it brings us home to ourselves.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
ABSOLUTELY NOT!!
I approached the entire first year as a “prototype year” so I wouldn’t stress out about all that I didn’t know– and what I didn’t even know, what I didn’t know!
While I was a highly accomplished publishing executive, I had no idea about how to find artists’, shipping internationally, negotiating freight, building a website… twice!… NOTE TO ANYONE … do not contract a web builder above what you need to build a website, (sigh)…. oh, so many obstacles and challenges, almost everything, let’s just say that a year later, I’m smarter than I’ve ever been.
I highly recommend that year one entrepreneurs adopt the mentality of … “yep, it’s a prototype year” and move on!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At Dolly and Oz Presents, I believe art makes us brave.
Art reveals who we are—and who we’re becoming. Through visual storytelling, tactile beauty, and emotional resonance, Dolly and Oz will help you curate a personal space that reflects your values, dreams, and evolution.
I showcase bold, thoughtful works by emerging and established creators alike, across:
• Contemporary visual art
• Sculpture and ceramics
• Textiles and wearable design
• Culinary expressions and sensory experiences (TBA in late 2025)
This is a place for exploration, discovery, and connection—with art, with artists, and with your own creative intuition.
What Sets Us Apart
Dolly and Oz Presents is not just about collecting—it’s about building a life through artful intention. We’re redefining what it means to be a collector by creating a warm, bespoke space where everyone is welcome to engage, learn, and grow.
At Dolly and Oz Presents….
*Connect with artists through live events, studio talks, and immersive gatherings
*Discover limited-edition and original art that resonates with your personal journey
*Learn how to collect with confidence and purpose, no matter your starting point—all questions are welcome!
*Explore art-informed curation for private and professional spaces—we offer consulting for individuals, real estate developers, and interior designers
looking to create soulful environments that reflect identity, intention, and story
*Collaborate with us on bespoke hospitality experiences—we partner with boutique hotels and lifestyle brands to create curated art moments that elevate
connection and brand distinction
*Join a vibrant creative community that values storytelling, bold self-expression, and the joy of creating and collecting art
Whether you’re just beginning your art collecting journey or looking to deepen and expand it, we’re so glad to welcome you.
Dolly and Oz Presents—where breathtaking art, story, and community meet!
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
It’s been said before and I’ll reiterate…. luck is where opportunity meets preparation. Only to say….every single day counts. Show up with clear intention and your best effort always.
Excellence may look different from day to day, as it should, so commit to get out of bed each day to be excellent, prepared and maybe, just maybe… lucky.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dollyandozpresents.com
- Instagram: dollyandozpresents
- Facebook: dollyandozpresents
- Youtube: dollyandozpresents
- Yelp: dollyandozpresents
Image Credits
Credits: Lyall Aston ( Photography of still art)
Credits: Create 1388 (all event photos)
