Hidden Gems: Meet Mikayla Verbunt of Verbunt Galerie

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mikayla Verbunt.

Hi Mikayla, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve always loved art and creativity. I studied Fine Arts at university, but at the time I took what felt like a safer career path. Even so, art kept pulling me back, whether through making it myself, collecting it, or simply being surrounded by it. A big influence was my grandparents, who collected art and objects during their travels around the world. I loved how those pieces made their home feel layered, interesting, and full of stories.

The turning point came after we bought a house in Boulder. I went looking for artwork and found the online platforms overwhelming and impersonal, while traditional galleries often felt intimidating or inaccessible. Neither reflected how I, or the people I spoke with, wanted to experience art. That’s when the idea for Verbunt Galerie came to life: to create the kind of gallery I wished existed, one that combines the intimacy and curation of a physical gallery with the accessibility and reach of the online world, while spotlighting artists from across the globe.

Since then, I’ve been focused on building relationships with artists, curating a diverse first collection, and shaping an experience that feels both personal and global. It’s been a journey of learning, connecting, and staying true to that original vision.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Building Verbunt Galerie has been one of the most rewarding but also one of the most challenging things I have done. I still work full time, so a lot of this has been built in evenings and weekends. There have been moments of real overwhelm, where I have wondered how I could possibly pull everything together.

Early on, it was also hard to put myself out there. I did not come into this with a big network in the art world, so I had to start from scratch: sending cold DMs, asking for meetings, and introducing myself to artists and collectors who had no reason to know who I was. Some people said no, some did not respond at all, but others gave me the chance to share my vision. Those conversations taught me that persistence and genuine connection matter more than credentials.

There were also practical struggles: figuring out international shipping, navigating legal requirements, and balancing the details of building a business while trying to stay true to the creative vision. And like anyone building something new, there were plans that did not work out the way I expected, ideas I had to pivot, and moments where I had to pick myself back up and try again.

Looking back, I see those struggles as the foundation of Verbunt Galerie. Each challenge clarified why I am doing this and what kind of gallery I want to create: one that feels truly global, yet still personal and welcoming.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Verbunt Galerie is a digital-first contemporary art gallery representing global artists from around the world. We present curated collections across a range of mediums, from painting to textiles to ceramics, with the goal of offering a timeless yet approachable way to collect art.

What sets Verbunt Galerie apart is the balance between accessibility and quality. Many online galleries today feel overwhelming, with thousands of listings, or lean heavily into lifestyle-driven imagery rather than focusing on works that will continue to feel relevant over time. On the other side, traditional galleries can feel intimidating or exclusive. Verbunt Galerie was created to bridge that gap, offering a global platform that is carefully curated, accessible, and welcoming to collectors everywhere.

I am most proud of how the brand reflects this ethos. From our tagline, “Discover artistry that transcends time,” to our intentional design choices, to the relationships we build with both artists and collectors, everything is grounded in the idea that collecting art should feel inspiring rather than transactional.

Our offerings are straightforward. We showcase thoughtfully curated collections, provide collectors with clear details on pricing and shipping, and ensure that the buying experience feels seamless and human. Beyond online sales, we are also building toward hosting pop-up events in different cities, so people can experience the works in person.

At its heart, Verbunt Galerie is about building a community where artists feel supported and collectors feel inspired to bring meaningful works into their lives.

Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
One of my favorite childhood memories is traveling with my mom to Melbourne, which was a three-hour drive from where I grew up in country Australia, to see the Alexander McQueen exhibition. I remember being completely in awe of his creativity and how boldly he pushed boundaries. It left such a strong impression on me and was one of the first times I understood that art and design could change the way you see the world. Looking back, that exhibition showed me that creativity can push beyond tradition, much like what I hope to do in the art world, which has long been known for its exclusivity and conventional ways of selling art.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.verbuntgalerie.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verbunt.galerie/
• Pinterest: https://au.pinterest.com/verbuntgalerie/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@verbunt.galerie

Image Credits
Sara Mai
She felt chronic iconic, ironic demonic, organic manic, chaotic melodic… As if., 2025
Oil and sand on canvas
100 × 150 cm (39 × 59 in)

Giorgia Bel
Sundays, 2025
Acrylic & oil pastel on canvas
91 × 76 cm (36 × 30 in)

Lava Objects
Low Grey Vase, 2025
Stoneware
20 × 20 cm (8 × 8 in)

Anouk Aumont
After the Rain, 2025
Oil stick, acrylic & pastel on canvas
110 × 213 cm (43 × 84 in)

Ali Enache
Keep Making Me Laugh, 2025
Acrylic on raw linen
102 × 76 cm (40 × 30 in)

Florian Nörl
Polychrom, 2024
Textilstein®
140 × 100 cm (55 × 39 in)