Private art galleries, and art business in general, are a completely new phenomenon in Russia. Most of its pioneers have closed down after a few years of heroic effort. But several have survived and even thrived. Among them "Vmeste' (Together) started by art critic Natalia Sopova in 1992.

Today she is rated among the 10 best art galleries in Russia. Her collection includes paintings of many world-famous Russian artists such as Natalia Nesterova, Tatiana Nazarenko, Dmitry Krasnopevtsev, Alexei Zverev, Andrei Krasutin, Yuri Kanonenko, to name a few.

However, Natalia Sopova is also famous for her ability to discern and help develop new talents. Her healthy conservatism determines her choice of positivist, cheerful paintings with an emphasis on man's inner feelings, on play and the bright aspects of life.

Besides paintings, Sopova also collects oriental carpets, dolls, etchings, watercolors, sculpture, and costume jewelry. Her monthly exhibitions are thematic and invariably attract large crowds with their original ideas and design.