Catiana Van Dinh. Photo: Alexandra Stark. Jewelry Designer: Tai Nico.
The hero’s journey is a story as old as time. It’s a tale we all know: the call to adventure, stepping out of your comfort zone, facing challenges, and coming out the other side transformed. Whether it’s in mythology or real-life trailblazers, it’s about resilience, taking risks, and finding purpose. Catiana Van Dinh lives out her own version of this journey. She’s forged a bold path from traditional expectations to making her mark in New York’s high-stakes art scene by building a space where art, culture, and her unique vision come together. Through Vibe Fine Arts, she’s created a platform that champions diversity, spotlights emerging artists, and shakes up the status quo — all while staying true to her roots.
Vietnamese Heritage
Catiana’s journey begins in Philadelphia, where she was raised in a close-knit Vietnamese community. Growing up in the vibrant Vietnamese community came with both support and challenges. Catiana’s family instilled values like hard work and perseverance, but traditional expectations weighed heavily. While Vietnamese was her first language, and she grew up surrounded by cultural traditions, she often felt caught between two worlds.
As she became more “Americanized,” that sense of disconnection from her heritage grew. This push and pull — honoring her roots while seeking something more — shaped her path. “I love my community and my heritage,” Catiana Van Dinh says, “but I always felt like I didn’t fully belong there. I knew I wanted something different.”
Early Ambitions and Modeling
That drive to explore led Catiana to modeling at just 16. It was her first taste of independence, and it opened doors to experiences far beyond Philadelphia. Traveling to places like Bali and Singapore gave her a glimpse of the global, cosmopolitan life she craved.
By her early twenties, Catiana Van Dinh had made the leap to New York City on her own. It was a defining moment, marking her transition into adulthood and the start of her creative exploration. Facing the intense pressures of the city without a safety net taught her resilience. She balanced the unpredictability of modeling with a growing passion for the arts.
The Shift to Art and Education
While modeling gave her freedom and exposure, Catiana’s ambitions stretched beyond fashion. By her mid-twenties, she began pursuing her love for art. “I’ve always loved abstract painting and poetry,” she shares. “But I also wanted to build a sustainable career.”
Encouraged by friends, she set her sights on art sales, a field that combined her creativity with a business mindset. To deepen her knowledge, Catiana Van Dinh enrolled at Sotheby’s Institute of Art, where she studied contemporary art. Her time there fueled her appreciation for artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol, and Keith Haring, whose bold visions inspired her.
Photo: Alexandra Stark. Jewelry Designer: Tai Nico.
Breaking Into the Art World
Entering the art world wasn’t easy. It’s a competitive industry with high barriers to entry, and there were times when Catiana questioned whether she should give up and pursue something more stable. But her love for art — and her belief in herself — kept her going. “I used to binge-watch documentaries about the art world and study everything I could,” she says. “That gave me the motivation to keep pushing, even when things got tough.”
Her persistence paid off when she became a partner at Soho Contemporary Art on Bowery. This milestone solidified her place in the art world and sharpened her skills in curation and sales. It also set the stage for her next big move: founding Vibe Fine Arts.
Founding of Vibe Fine Arts and Its Mission
In 2023, Catiana partnered with a longtime friend to launch Vibe Fine Arts. The gallery was born from their shared vision of creating a space that not only featured museum-grade and investment-grade artworks but also gave a platform to emerging artists from around the world.
With support from a client who believed in their vision, they secured the investment needed to open the gallery. “We wanted to create something fresh and dynamic,” Catiana explains. “A place where people could come, experience art, and feel welcome, whether they’re seasoned collectors or first-time buyers.”Vibe Fine Arts represents a wide range of styles, from abstract to neo-expressionist works, and even features a selection of archival photography. For Catiana, the diversity of artists showcased reflects her own eclectic tastes and the gallery’s mission to bring new energy to New York’s art scene.
Philosophy on Art and Community
At the heart of Vibe Fine Arts is Catiana’s philosophy: art should be accessible to everyone. The gallery offers works at various price points, ensuring that anyone can engage with the art world, regardless of their budget. “We have pieces that are museum-worthy, but we also have pieces you can buy for $5,000,” she notes.
Catiana is also pushing against the pretentiousness that often pervades high-end galleries. She wants Vibe Fine Arts to be a space that’s inviting, fun, and approachable. Her goal is to foster a sense of community among artists and collectors, creating a space where people can connect through a shared appreciation for art.
Photo: Alexandra Stark. Jewelry Designer: Tai Nico.
Reflection on Vietnamese Identity and the Future
Catiana’s Vietnamese heritage remains an integral part of her identity. She acknowledges feeling like a “black sheep” — the late bloomer who chose to pursue an unconventional path. But as she reflects on her journey, she sees it as a strength. “I’ve always been different, and that’s okay,” she says. “I think a lot of people in my community tend to play it safe, but I want to show them that it’s okay to take risks. Life is too short not to.”
For Catiana, part of her future involves reconnecting with the Vietnamese community and using her platform to inspire others to think outside the box.
The Future of Vibe Fine Arts and Catiana’s Vision
Looking ahead, Catiana has big plans for both Vibe Fine Arts and her personal journey. She envisions expanding the gallery’s reach with upcoming exhibitions and events that will continue to push boundaries and redefine how art is experienced. In the traditional Hero’s Journey, the hero returns to the ordinary world with the “elixir,” a transformative boon that benefits not only themselves but the wider community. For Catiana Van Dinh, her “elixir” is the space she has created within the art world — a gallery that merges accessibility with high-caliber works, offering a platform for both seasoned and emerging artists.
On a personal level, Catiana Van Dinh is driven by the desire to create a lasting legacy for her family. After years of navigating a strained relationship with her father — who had difficulty understanding her career choices — Catiana recently repaired that relationship, a deeply personal achievement that aligns with her professional milestones. “He’s finally starting to see what I’ve built,” she says. “I want to make my family proud, and I know I’m on my way.”
Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam
