On Sunday, February 23rd, we celebrated the opening of Second Nature Art's latest exhibition, Material Gestures. Material Gestures features the works of California-based paper artist Britt Fabello, and New York ceramicist Sabina Magnus- a beautiful collaboration between Marcia’s spring line and their nature-inspired collections. Second Nature Art highlights the work of emerging and mid-career women artists through exhibitions, interior consultations and artist support. Co-founded by Lauren Epstein and Dora Somosi, the initiative blends artistic sensibility with industry knowledge to create a model where art and community intersect. We spoke with Lauren and Dora to learn more about the origins of Second Nature, how they discovered Britt Fabello and Sabina Magnus and the inspiration behind the show.
The exhibit is on view at M.PATMOS through April 14, 2025.
Lauren Epstein
M.PATMOS: Lauren, where did you grow up?
Lauren: I was born and raised in Manhattan. After 18 years in the city, I moved to Madison, Wisconsin, for college. Living in the Midwest, surrounded by lakes, nature, and warm, welcoming people, shaped my approach to work and relationships. At Second Nature, we prioritize collaboration with kind, hardworking, and community-driven individuals to create a positive experience for everyone.
M.PATMOS: You also mentioned that photography was your first medium - what interested you in stepping behind the lens?
Lauren: As a reserved child, photography became my outlet for self-expression. In high school, I loved the darkroom—an escape where I could lose myself in the process. In college, I studied Art History and became the photo editor of the daily newspaper, which deepened my passion for editing and curating. After college I worked in magazine publishing as a photo editor, followed by a few years as an agent for photographers and stylists. Photography has been a constant in my life, leading to a 20-plus-year career in the field.
Britt Fabello and Sabina Magnus
M.PATMOS: Can you describe your connection with Dora and how you both decided to begin your curatorial practice, Second Nature?
Lauren: Dora and I unknowingly grew up in the same building in Kips Bay but met years later at a photography judging event when we were both working in magazines. We instantly connected over our shared backgrounds and creative passions. Second Nature emerged from our desire to collaborate on a female-led group art show at a multi-purpose women owned space in Brooklyn. Like us, many of the artists in our first show had meaningful ties to each other. We seek artists who explore their relationship with the natural world through photography, sculpture, painting, ceramics, watercolor, and mixed media.
M.PATMOS: Can you describe your background in art practices and your relevant experiences to this collaboration?
Lauren: I come from a long line of painters, art dealers, editors, and collectors on my mother’s side, which shaped my deep love for art and design. Professionally, I’ve worked as a creative producer, art buyer, and agent, engaging with a wide range of artists and styles. This experience has given me the ability to recognize and nurture talent across different mediums.
Dora Somosi
M.PATMOS: Dora, where did you grow up?
Dora: I was born in Budapest, Hungary. My family defected to the U.S. when I was six, first living in Brooklyn with extended family who sponsored us before settling in Manhattan.
M.PATMOS: Can you briefly describe your artistic practice, how it converses with your curatorial work and connects you to the artists you work with?
Dora: My practice, rooted in nature, began as a personal outlet and evolved into a full-time career focused on landscape and expanding the possibilities of photography. While my art is a solitary endeavor, starting this business with Lauren has allowed me to build a space for community and dialogue. As an artist and curator, I love writing about artists’ practices and finding connections between them. My recent project, By Her Side, intertwines nature with themes of womanhood, reinforcing my commitment to amplifying women artists’ voices.
Britt Fabello and Sabina Magnus
M.PATMOS: Can you describe your connection with Lauren and the inspiration behind Second Nature?
Dora: Lauren and I have been close friends for years—we live in the same neighborhood, and our daughters even attend the same school. Beyond our personal connection, we share a strong professional overlap, a common visual language, and a perfectionist streak. We’d always wanted to collaborate, and when the perfect space opened up for us to curate an exhibition in our neighborhood, we jumped at the opportunity.
With Second Nature—first as an exhibition and now as our business name—we work to amplify the voices of women artists exploring themes of nature and identity. It became a way to channel our professional expertise into creating something truly special close to home. Lauren’s intuitive approach has taught me a lot, especially about striving for balance—something I struggle with as a workaholic.
M.PATMOS: You mentioned your love of Blue, can you describe your connection with the color and how it inspires you?
Dora: My connection to blue deepened through working with cyanotypes, where vivid cyan hues became central to my first major body of work in the medium, She Was a Little Bit Blue, created at the start of the pandemic. Blue is a color of introspection, rich in art history, from Picasso’s Blue Period to Matthew Wong’s Blue View. I’m particularly inspired by Rebecca Solnit’s A Field Guide to Getting Lost and Maggie Nelson’s Bluets, both of which reflect on blue’s symbolic depth.
Lauren and Dora
M.PATMOS: How did you discover Sabina Magnus's work?
Lauren and Dora: We were introduced to Sabina through Madeley Rodriguez, whose work we featured in our first exhibition. It was a serendipitous meeting at Clayworks on Columbia, where we were immediately drawn to Sabina’s unique approach to ceramics. We both purchased pieces of hers, which deepened our connection to her work.
Sabina Magnus
M.PATMOS: What was the inspiration behind Material Gestures and can you describe the feeling of this show?
Lauren and Dora: Britt and Sabina’s work shares a deep commitment to materiality. We had been following Britt’s experimental embroidery on Instagram, which resonated with the themes we wanted to explore. When planning the show, her pieces felt like a natural complement to Sabina’s sculptural ceramics, both pushing the boundaries of their mediums in exciting ways.
M.PATMOS: Can you speak to the atmosphere and collaborative nature of the show with Marcia's store?
Lauren and Dora: Our partnership with Marcia developed organically through our friend Anna Harrington of The Rounds. Marcia attended our first exhibition and later invited us to collaborate. After visiting her space—centered on sustainability and supporting women-owned businesses—we saw a natural alignment. Her warm, inviting space resonated with us, as well as with Britt and Sabina’s works. We curated pieces that complemented Marcia’s aesthetic while tapping into the creative energy of Atlantic Avenue’s community of designers and artists.
The Studio of Britt Fabello
M.PATMOS: What is your shared vision for Second Nature?
Lauren and Dora: We aim to maintain the organic, intuitive process that defines Second Nature. The success of our first exhibition led to new opportunities to curate for both personal and business spaces, and we’re excited to keep building these relationships. Our approach involves visiting artists’ studios, engaging with their processes, and fostering connections that help them thrive. We’re committed to amplifying artists’ voices, strengthening ties between artists and collectors, and ensuring they retain a larger share of sales. By prioritizing community and sustainability, we hope to create exhibitions that feel deeply meaningful—bringing a little more light into the world.
To learn more about Second Nature, visit their website: secondnatureny.com
Photography by Gabriela Herman
Sabina Magnus Vessels and the M.PATMOS Diana Pullover