NOTA BENE: This Week in the Art World
by Benjamin Godsill & Nate Freeman
NOTA BENE is the podcast version of a boozy lunch at Sant Ambroeus in which adviser Benjamin Godsill and Vanity Fair art columnist Nate Freeman dish fresh art world gossip from Dimes Square to Mayfair, peel back the curtain on auctions, galleries and fairs—and, critically, tell you where to eat and drink in every museum-stuffed port of call. Plus there’s a special guest each week, and we’ll roast them good regardless of how much clout they carry on the circuit. It’s NOTA BENE. Don’t close the deal until you tune in.
Episodes
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Post-Paris Pre-Auction
Benjamin and James breakdown what happened in Paris and what shows and lots they are looking forward to in November. Lots of juicy gossip in this one that you won't want to miss. All that AND MORE on THE ONLY ART PODCAST!
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Sous les pavés, la plage!” (“Under the cobblestones, the beach!)
Benjamin and James are BACK with reporting from Frieze London and the Amtrak Corridor and Protest filled Paris at the opening of ArtBasel Paris. All that AND MORE on THE ONLY ART PODCAST.
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The Fairs and the American Hartland
James and Benjamin are back. Recorded a week ago this somewhat stale episode recounts the fairs that were in NYC as well as Jame's tour around the fly-over states. All that AND MORE on THE ONLY ART PODCAST
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Back To School: The Simulacrum of Connoisseurship
Benjamin and James are BACK! As promised (if not a few days late). In this episode we get into the first round of September gallery openings in NYC as well as the taste-slopification of the artworld via instagram, and the loss of artist and downtown legend Lucien Smith. All that AND MORE on THE...
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Summer Jet Set Report
Reporting on events of the summer that was including events in Menorca, Provence, Aspen and the Hamptons Benjamin and James dish on the people, the parties and the art. All this AND MORE on THE ONLY ART PODCAST.
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There's Only One Basel
We are back. James and Benjamin discuss their time in the lovely city on the Rhein and the ONLY FAIR THAT MATTERS. From sausages to parties to art we cover (almost) all of it. PLUS some disturbing rumors about the future of the fair. All that AND MORE. on THE ONLY ART PODCAST.
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Drowning in PDFs
Benjamin and James discuss all the news that is not fit to print in the world of art. And preview the upcoming swiss fairs. All that AND MORE on THE ONLY ART PODCAST
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Post Fair Blues
Benjamin is joined by James Michael Shaeffer, Jr. to tell him all about the art fairs in NYC last week. We also touch briefly on Banksy and other sundry items of note. All that AND MORE on THE ONLY ART PODCAST.
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May Auction Preview with Special Guest Lock Kresler
And we are BACK. Nate and Benjamin are joined by everyone's favorite auction specialist, the ever erudite wiz himself, Lock Anderson Kresler . We break down all the top auction lots at the three houses as well as discuss local art fair, museum and restaurant news. We know how much you all look...
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Report From Venice (and Stockholm and Berlin and NY)
Benjamin Godsill is joined by co-host James Michael Shaeffer, Jr. to discuss all the recent art events in Venice, Berlin, Stockholm and NYC. All that, And MORE on THE ONLY ART PODCAST!
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Coast 2 Coast
And... we are back. Benjamin is in NY and Nate is (still) in LA discussing all the haps in the artworld AND Nate's COVER STORY in Vanity Fair plus Larry's big Oscars Week Opening in LA. ALL that AND MORE on THE ONLY ART PODCAST
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Californication: LA Frieze 2026
Nate and Benjamin are Joined by James Michael Shaeffer, Jr. to talk about everything going down during Frieze LA, 2026. Galleries, Museums, Meals and yes fairs. The good the bad and the UGLY. All that AND MORE on THE ONLY ART PODCAST. and happy birthday nate
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Welcome to Twenty Twenty Six
Nate is BACK from paternity leave and Nota Bene is back wherever you get your podcasts. We cover openings and events in a frigid NYC as well as recent LA happenings and preview Mexico City, Doha. All that AND MORE on THE ONLY ART PODCAST
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Rising from the Ruins of the Raleigh: ART BASEL Miami Beach 2025
We are back, live from Miami after the two VIP preview days of the preeminent art fair in America: Art Basel Miami Beach. Nate and Benjamin report all the gossip from the convention center, the satellite fairs and all the parties. You won't want to miss this one. All that, AND MORE on THE ONLY…
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Auctions on LOCK with Special Guest Lock Kressler
Just ahead of a MASSIVE week in New York we are joined by the go-to auction expert and our friend Lock Kressler. Recorded in the iconic Hotel Chelsea Nate and I get the lowdown on all the key lots in this insane November Season. Stay tuned to find out how the new BABBO is... All that AND MORE on...
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La Vibes: Paris with Special Guest Jason Farago
Nate and Benjamin are back reporting on ArtBasel Paris with a very special guest: New York Times Critic-at-Large Jason Farago. We discuss the great (and not so great) Museum and Gallery shows in the City of Lights this week as well as ArtBasel Paris. Of course we can't help discussing the food...
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Wearing Brown in London Town
Can in be true? Are we back? It appears so. Join Nate and Benjamin breaking down PARIS. Only here on the ONLY ART PODCAST.
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Sag Harboring
And we are BACK! Live (to tape) from Chum's Crib Nate and Benjamin catch each other up on all the summer haps. Galleries closing, tennis playing and all the rest. All that and so much more on THE ONLY ART PODCAST.
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PAPAL SOCKS: Special ROME episode with James Michael Cardoso Shaeffer
We are BACK with a special BONUS EPISODE recorded in the Eternal City. Benjamin is joined by guest host and super-gem James Michael Cardoso Shaeffer. We wrap up the dregs of Basel including our experience in Jordan Wolfson's Little Room at the Beyeler. Then it's onto Rome where we discuss...
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Grateful to be here: Basel Recap with James Michael Cardoso Schaeffer
Oh baby finally back and in BASEL. With Nate absent due to the Tariffs Benjamin is joined by art advisor and chief GEM james michael cardoso schaeffer to discuss all they did and saw inside and outside the fair. All that AND MORE on THE ONLY ART PODCAST
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I'm Dead but I'm Alive - Auction Season Wrap-up with Zachary Small and Tim Schneider
We are back. Benjamin is joined by Zachary Small and Tim Schneider who led this season's auction reporting for the NY Times. Zachary and Tim report out what the hell just happened and what it all (might mean). All that, and MORE on THE ONLY ART PODCAST.
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May Auction Preview with LOCK KRESLER
we are SO back. This time with everyone's favorite auction expert, Lock Kresler. We break down all the lots in all the auctions, the consignors, the guarantees the story behind the story. You won't want to bid before you have listened. All that AND more on THE ONLY ART PODCAST. unedited and...
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Lets get ready to FRIEZE (and INDEPENDENT & TEFAFF & NADA & &...)
Nate and Benjamin are BACK to discuss all the news in the world of art, focusing in the MET GALA, and the upcoming week of art FAIRS in NYC. All that and MORE on the ONLY ART PODCAST!
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Artist Plate Project with Michelle Hellman
No Nate, No Problem. We are back and are joined by friend and cultural producer Michelle Hellman . Among many other things Michelle is the force (and the elbow grease) driving the innovative Artist Plate Project - a series of limited edition plates by the most renowned (and in demand) Artists and...
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Opening Day
Welcome back! Nate and Benjamin discuss all the gossip - from Hong Kong to the Upper East Side. Gala's, art fairs and auctions. ALL THAT AND MORE on the ONLY ART PODCAST.
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Road Trip with Special Guest Lucy Bull
We are BACK. After a brief discussion of dinners, openings and Klaus curated Balenciaga ads as well as the CURSED art production fund gala Nate and Benjamin are joined by the painter LUCY BULL. Lucy comes out as bi-costal, tells us about her road trip from LA to NY, setting up a studio in NYC and...
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Jet Set
Join Nate and Benjamin for all sorts of juicy Art World news from London, Costa Rica, Los Angeles, Dallas and the greatest city in the world. If you've got the time, we've got the receipts on THE ONLY ART PODCAST
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we BACK
Nate and Benjamin are back to give the people what they want: pure, uncut, straight art goss. We cover, Palm Beach, Dallas, Los Angeles and all the titillating subjects that have been lighting up the group chats. You've waited a minute for this one, so enjoy.
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Bah Humbug: late Miami wrap-up
We are back. Recording in the new Harlem pod-studio and Nate and Benjamin recap all the shenanigans in Miami last week as well as the beginning the silly season. All that. AND MORE on THE ONLY ART PODCAST!
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Crab Nation with special guest Tim Schneider
Oh man. We are back. Barely. We are back to preview Art Basel Miami (though yes, this is being uploaded on the plane ride home). We are joined by our friend, journalist and writer of The Gray Market Tim Schneider for a belated look back at the auction season that was and a less belated look ahead...
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Auction Time with Lock Kresler
We are back with our always eagerly awaited sale-by-sale auction season preview with the maestro himself LOCK KRESLER. Get all the stories behind the key lots and consignments of this November's marquee sales at Christie's, Sotheby's and Phillips.
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Soft Sculpture in a Hard Building with Special Guest Jacob King
We are (finally) BACK! We are pleased to welcome art advisor Jacob King to discuss the art program he has organized for the iconic Lever House. A new show of early and iconic work by Claes Oldenburg is opening this week and we take this opportunity to discuss the intersection of real estate and...
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Sunglasses in the Grand Palais: Paris Basel
Paris Basel makes its first appearance in the renovated Grand Palais. We talk about all the openings, parties and meals in Paris. We've got hot news fresh from the Vernissage. Its a lot to cover but cover it we do. All that AND MORE on THE ONLY ART PODCAST.
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Frieze Fair - Opening Day Diary
Nate finally made it to London just in time for the vernissage of Freize. The gentleman discuss all the sales and gossip hot from the aisles of a redesigned fair tent. Plus all the parties Nate missed. All that and SO MUCH MORE on THE ONLY ART PODCAST!
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London! With Special Guest Jonas Wood AND FAMILY
Benjamin is back. In a special (and sadly Nate-free) episode we have occasion to sit down with Jonas Wood on the eve of his exhibition opening at Gagosian, London. Jonas and Benjamin discuss his recent travels, his new paintings and being a dad who's an artist. We also do our best Huberman...
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Darling Danke Shoen: with special guest Abby Pucker
The boys are in Chicago and podcasting from the iconic Wieners Circle! We briefly discuss our whirlwind day in Chicago before being joined by our friend Abby Pucker. Abby previews this coming Chicago Exhibition Weekend, as well as her role in founding GERTIE, a civic and cultural agency that aims...
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NFT SHE DIDN'T: With Special Guests LARVA LABS
We are back. Join Nate and Benjamin for a quick catch-up on the traffic hell that is the United Nations General Assembly. Then, Benjamin finally breaks the self-imposed ban on NFT's on the pod to sit down with Matt Hall and John Watkinson, founders of Larva Labs and the creators of one of the...
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Back on the Road: DALLAS, LA and NYC Art news
We are back with a one-on-one pod with Nate and Benjamin. We talk BPS cuts, art events in Dallas and Los Angeles, big upcoming shows and BREAKING NEWS FROM THE GREATEST DELI IN ALL THE LAND. All that AND MORE on THE ONLY ART PODCAST!
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Back to WORK with Gallerist Sebastian Gladstone & Artist Tristan Unrau
Nate and Benjamin are back in the saddle (finally) to discuss a yuuuge week back in New York. We talk art fairs, gallery openings, fashion week and the US OPEN. We are then thrilled to be joined by Los Angeles gallerist Sebastian Gladstone along with an artist from his roster, Tristan Unrau....
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Take me to Church
Nate and Benjamin are together IN PERSON with a brand new episode. We begin by discussing Hamptons Do's and Don't as well as our busy social schedule out east. We are then joined by Sheri Pasquarella, executive director of THE CHURCH in Sag Harbor. We discuss Sheri's extensive history in the…
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Ocean to Mountains
And... Nate and Benjamin are back with a report on the state of Aspen and "out east" as well as the market. All that, and more. ON THE ONLY ART PODCAST.
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Hot Time, Summer in the City
And we are back. With reports from Provence and Wellfleet both this is a gossip filled episode you won't want to miss. All that and MORE on the ONLY ART PODCAST.
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MERICA
Welcome back to a special independence day edition of Nota Bene. Nate and Benjamin catch each other up on our recent travels and adventures in Maine, LA, Philly and Sag Harbor, discuss an incendiary letter by an art advisor to his clients on the state of the market and a goop houseguest that...
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Post Basel Recap
Welcome back to Nota Bene. First up, Benjamin recaps to Nate everything the scribe missed in Basel. Then we discuss the sad passing of an art world legend. All that, and MORE on THE ONLY ART PODCAST!
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Pre Basel with Meredith Darrow
We are back; Nate missed his flight to Basel but Benjamin is joined by art advisor to the stars Meredith Darrow to discuss what they were looking forward to at ArtBasel which opened just hours ago. Stay tuned for a special Basel recap covering the market and the parties, dinners and events in the...
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Kitchens are Good Rooms to Cry In with Joel Mesler
Oh wow. What an episode. We are joined by our friend and artist Joel Mesler live from his just opened show on the upper east side at Levy Gorvy Dayan. Hear about his evolution, the "Summer of Joel" and the coming of J-AWS. All that and more on THE ONLY ART PODCAST.
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Special Guest Zachary Small
We are FINALLY back after a week of self-goal techncial difficulties. BUT it was well worth the wait. After Nate and Benjamin jaw about the auction results we are joined by NYTIMES journalist Zachary Small to discuss those same auctions, the Christie's hack and... most importantly their new book,...
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Mega Auction Preview with Lock
We are back with our biannual mega-episode exploring the major auction season in New York. As always for these in-depth looks we are joined by market expert, our friend Lock Kresler . Lock is a true subject matter expert and we get into all the lots, their consignors and what to expect as the…
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Special Guest Antwaun Sargent
And we are BACK! Benjamin and Nate discuss Frieze NY 2024 and ALL the events in NYC last week. We are then joined by curator, writer, fashion icon and Gagosian employee Antwaun Sargent to discuss his career and current role in the art world. This is a fascinating and in depth interview with a key...
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La Dolce Vita with special guest Antonio Sersale.
Nate and Benjamin report on their last night on the canals and their harrowing evacuation from Venice. Have no fear though, the gents landed high and dry. This episode finds them reporting live from Positano where they are in residence at Le Sirenuse, probably the most magical hotel in the world....
About this show
NOTA BENE is the podcast version of a boozy lunch at Sant Ambroeus in which adviser Benjamin Godsill and Vanity Fair art columnist Nate Freeman dish fresh art world gossip from Dimes Square to Mayfair, peel back the curtain on auctions, galleries and fairs—and, critically, tell you where to eat and drink in every museum-stuffed port of call. Plus there’s a special guest each week, and we’ll roast them good regardless of how much clout they carry on the circuit. It’s NOTA BENE. Don’t close the deal until you tune in.
Hosted by
Benjamin Godsill & Nate Freeman