Gotham, the world's first cannabis concept store, has unveiled 'The Smoking Section,' its first commissioned art exhibition at Gotham Gallery in Chelsea, New York. Running from November 6, 2025, to January 5, 2026, the show features over 45 artists and designers—including Ridykeulous (Nicole Eisenman and A.L. Steiner), Daniel Gordon, Mika Tajima, Deborah Czeresko, and Peter Shire—who each created original ashtrays that range from functional to conceptual. Curated by Rachel Berks, Gotham's VP of Product Development & Partnerships, the exhibition explores the ashtray as both a ritual object and cultural symbol, linking cannabis culture to contemporary art.
This exhibition matters because it marks a growing intersection between the cannabis industry and the visual art world, positioning a commercial cannabis retailer as a serious patron of contemporary art. By commissioning well-known artists to reinterpret a mundane object, Gotham blurs the lines between retail, design, and fine art, potentially opening new avenues for artist support and exhibition spaces outside traditional galleries. It also reflects broader cultural shifts in how cannabis is normalized and celebrated through artistic expression.