About the artist
Bio
Robert Gentile is a multidisciplinary artist, curator, and arts administrator based in Phoenix, Arizona, with over thirty years of experience in studio practice, exhibition production, and community arts programming. His work is rooted in the belief that accessible creative spaces are vital to a thriving arts ecosystem, and much of his career has been focused on creating platforms where artists and audiences can connect through exhibitions, dialogue, and hands-on learning.
In 2016, Gentile co-founded Grand Arthaus, a co-working art studio in downtown Phoenix designed to encourage collaboration among artists from various disciplines. The space has become a long-standing hub for creative exchange, offering affordable studio spaces while fostering an environment where artists can share ideas, experiment, and support each other's work.
Building on that foundation, he established Sisāo Gallery on Grand Avenue in 2017 in the lobby of the Oasis on Grand apartment complex. Operating through November 2024, the gallery showcased a wide range of exhibitions featuring both regional and national artists. Over the years, Gentile has curated and produced more than 150 exhibitions, installations, and public-facing art events that foster dialogue around contemporary art and culture while creating more opportunities for artists in the region.
From 2022 to February 2025, Gentile served as Director of Mood Room at Park Central while also working as Curatorial Programs Manager for Artlink, where he helped develop exhibitions and programming that connected artists with new audiences across the region. He has also worked as an independent contractor with the City of Mesa as an Exhibitions Coordinator, assisting with exhibition installations and gallery transitions at Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum and the IDEA Museum. His role included hands-on exhibition installation, fabrication, artwork handling, and managing the transition between major exhibitions in active museum spaces.
In April 2026, Gentile launched Third Rail PHX, an artist-run gallery and project space in downtown Phoenix focused on experimental exhibitions, artist-led workshops, and community events. The space serves as a platform for creative exploration, giving artists opportunities to share their processes through classes, demonstrations, and collaborative events that let the public engage directly with contemporary art practices.
Through his roles as an artist, curator, preparator, and arts advocate, Gentile continues to support the growth of Phoenix’s arts community by creating spaces where artists can take risks, exchange ideas, and grow within a supportive creative network.
You can follow him on social media @rgentile.art
Articles –
http://voyagephoenix.com/interview/meet-robert-gentile/
http://downtownphoenixjournal.com/2016/09/14/phx-discovered-robert-gentile-creating-future/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFNZ633SIeU
https://www.prlog.org/12489602-experience-robert-gentiles-paradigm-shift.html
https://www.myboyb.com/featured-artist-friday-robert-gentiles-paradigm-shift/