Jesse Kalisher, award-winning artist, sought after public speaker and licensed pilot, has passed away peacefully on 20 July in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, after a battle with cancer. He was 55 years old.

Jesse was the founder and former President of art company Kalisher, which he established 15 years ago, with his wife, Helen Kalisher. Jesse lived his life for Helen and their two children, Jordan and Tamar. He met Helen, an artist and graphic designer, in Guatemala while each was travelling the world. With their complementary skills, Jesse and Helen began a business partnership in 1999. By 2005, they were expanding a mass merchandise line, partnering with big-box stores and hiring their first employee. Kalisher stepped foot into the hospitality industry, two years later, with one goal: to create art for everyone. Jesse proudly led the fast-growing team, alongside Helen and longtime colleagues and friends, Sarah Elder and David Winton. Together, they built Kalisher into one of the top art consulting firms in the industry and the only one entirely owned and run by artists. Today Kalisher has grown to more than 100 employees, with offices in 11 cities worldwide.

Jesse’s first camera arrived on his sixth birthday as a present from his father, celebrated photographer Simpson Kalisher. Although he first followed a career in advertising, Jesse returned to his camera in his early 30s and began travelling. It was then, he felt that “everything changed. Where I expected to see a snapshot, I saw instead a photograph. Where I expected to see memories, I found meaning. Where I expected to see something frivolous, I found instead my voice.” Jesse’s photography is now in the permanent collections of museums all over the world, including The Louvre and The Smithsonian.

He forever credits his clients for his art, without whom, he said, it would not exist. Jesse was also known within the design industry for his tireless, pragmatic mentorship, his introspective stories behind the pictures and his passionate exploration of the world in which we live. “Everything he created was about and for other people,” said Sarah Elder, Kalisher COO, “Everything he created, he created to share. This spirit defined him, and we will grow with him in our DNA every day.”

David Winton, Kalisher President, continued: “Everything Jesse said or did inspired his colleagues, helped define an industry, and worked to make the world more beautiful and joyful. We have all been so lucky to know him, but I am most thankful for what he stood for. He lived life for the journey, rather than any end.” 

Over the past several years, Jesse transitioned the majority of his roles and responsibilities to the Kalisher leadership team including the promotion of Sarah Elder to Chief Operating Officer, Jon Cochran to Senior Director of Business Development, and former Creative Director, David Winton to President. The talent and experience that Jesse Kalisher fostered is unmatched in the industry. Guided by David and Sarah, the Kalisher team continues to be the key to creating and curating an art collection that inspires guests, while seamlessly working with our friends in the industry.

The team at Sleeper have worked with, grown to know and respected Jesse for a number of years. It is with great sadness that we extend our thoughts to his family, friends and the rest of the Kalisher team.

Here’s to our humanity.

Here’s to our similarities.

Here’s to our strength.

Here’s to peace.

– Jesse Kalisher