Point 'Em Out is an editorial series where Ida Harris explores the latest and the greatest in Black art. Thanks to modern-day technology, we get to be virtual consumers of yesterday's icons and today’s most innovative Black artwork, and — if we're lucky — the Black geniuses who produce them.

We sing the praises of many visual artists. However, much credit is due to the facilitators of Black art for amplifying the names and works of artists we might not otherwise be familiar with. Black gallerists have pushed African American art, making it accessible and consumable for Black communities long before the social media phenomenon. In the pre-digital era, these art professionals not only provided a visual platform for Black artists, but also packaged and positioned their work to be sold, and they continue to do so today. They broker deals and connect artists with collectors and consumers alike. Thus, Black gallerists have established a viable market for Afro art when white art spaces made little room.

Even now, as the dominant market pays a bit more attention to Black art, only a few seats exist for Black artists, particularly when it comes to sales. In 2016, Artnet analyzed how African American artists fare at auctions. Though Black art sales at auctions are increasing, “of the contemporary American artists selling for over a million dollars at auction, a mere one-tenth are black,” and out of the "top 100 artists by volume," Kara Walker, Ellen Gallagher and Mickalene Thomas were the only Black women. These disappointing statistics show that Black gallerists are still necessary to stimulate the creative economy for Black art, and this is all the more reason why the community should patronize Black gallerists and support their efforts. In an attempt to point 'em out, here are nine Black galleries that are putting in work for Black artists across the country.

1. Stella Jones Gallery

Located in New Orleans in close proximity to the French Quarter, Stella Jones Gallery has been holding the Big Easy down with African American art since 1996. Jones has represented the work of iconic artists Elizabeth Catlett, Samella Lewis, Charly Palmer, Sam Gilliam and emerging artist Leonard Maiden.

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#20yearsofblackart #blackart

A post shared by StellaJonesGALLERY (@stellajonesgallery) on Jun 10, 2016 at 8:47am PDT

2. Zucot Gallery

Zucot gallery is a premier Black gallery located in the Castleberry Hill section of Atlanta. The gallery has monthly tasting events that educates visitors on art collecting over a glass of wine. Zucot features local artists at these events and on its walls. Jamaal Barber, Steve Prince, Tamara Maiden and Grace Kisa are some of the artists associated with the Atlanta pillar.

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ART TASTING next Saturday from 1:30-3:30pm! RSVP to save your seat now. Hear from ZuCot Partners @onajeh + @omarijh + Artist @aaronfhenderson talk about the basics and business of the art world. An open conversation where you can ask anything about the art world. LINK IN BIO! – – #arteducation #arttasting #artgallery #fineart #artcollector #blackart #atlanta #weekend #art #zucotgallery #comeseecollect #supportlivingartists #

A post shared by ZuCot Gallery (@zucotgallery) on Aug 11, 2018 at 9:53am PDT

3. Hearne Fine Art

Hearne Fine Art is a Little Rock, Arkansas, gem that has serviced the community for over 30 years. It also boasts the cataloging appraisal skills of Garbo Hearne, who specializes in African American art.

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Happy Mother’s Day from Hearne Fine Art! ???????????????????????????????? . . . HFA Director Garbo Hearne and her mother Bobbie were featured in a promotional video for Project #ShowUs a @gettyimages @dove and @girlgaze collaboration with 116 photographers from 39 countries to produce a ground-breaking library of 5000+ photographs devoted to shattering beauty stereotypes by showing female-identifying and non-binary individuals as they are, not as others believe they should be. ???? Let’s show women everywhere a more inclusive vision of beauty, so they can show the world what’s possible. ???????? . . . #mothersday #beauty #grace #aging #media #inclusion #inclusivity #diversity #blackwomen #blackwoman #mother #blackmother #grandmother #blackgrandmother

A post shared by Hearne Fine Art (@hearnefineart) on May 12, 2019 at 9:32am PDT

4. Rush Arts Philadelphia

Although the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation's roots are in New York City, the Rush Arts Philadelphia gallery has recently opened up in North Philly, bringing its established model to the new location. For the past three years, the Black art facility has carried the original Rush spirit by providing space for artists to grow while also enriching the community and local youth.

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Founder Danny Simmons speaking on the mission of #RushArtsPhilly Come out to @paintedbrideartcenter on 11/3 to #ArtForLifePhilly and support the youth and artists that bring our work to life! Click the link in our bio for more info! . . . . #rushartsphilly #rushartsgallery #givingback #dogood #dannysimmons #angelasimmons #vanessasimmons #fundraising #makeadifference #giveback #donate #phillysupportphilly #phillybloggers

A post shared by Rush Arts Philadelphia (@rushartsphilly) on Sep 28, 2018 at 5:15am PDT

5. Richard Beavers Gallery

Bedford Stuyvesant is not only the mecca for cultural creativity in Brooklyn, but it is also home to Richard Beavers Gallery. The gallery has been up and running since 2007, and represents artists such as Leroy Campbell and Frank Morrison, to name a few.

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.. .. GOOD LUCK!!! #spreadloveitsthebrooklynway .. @richardbeaversgallery will randomly leave an ART PRINT outside the gallery as a gift for a lucky passerby. . #giftaprint #richardbeaversgallery #lifeofagallerist #bedstuygallery #brooklyngallery #artforthepeople #anseladams @michaeljackson #brooklyngallery

A post shared by Richard Beavers Gallery (@richardbeaversgallery) on Oct 31, 2018 at 10:42am PDT

6. Galerie Myrtis

Baltimore, Maryland, is home to Galerie Myrtis, which engages the community with Black art, artist talks, art salons and lectures. The gallery has been in operation for over 20 years and represents heavyweight sculptor Alfred Conteh, painters Amy Sherald and Ronald Jackson as well as artist and printmaker Delita Martin.

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Sending a warm Thank You to everyone who came to our artist's talk with Stephen Towns and Myrtis Bedolla this past Saturday! Our discussion centered around the themes, symbols, inspiration, and research conducted in order to produce the body of works for the solo exhibition "Take Me Away to the Stars: The Mystery, Magic, and Myth of Nat Turner." (voted #3 of the Top Ten Exhibitions in Baltimore in 2016) . If you missed the artist's talk be sure to get your tickets for our "Tea with Myrtis" Art Salon featuring guests Stephen Towns (artist) and Tim Gordon (film critic), in a conversation about the exhibition and the timely cinematic prospective from the 2016 film "Birth of a Nation." Moderated by Myrtis Bedolla, Saturday, February 18, 2017. Tickets available through galeriemyrtis.net! Link in Bio! . . . #galeriemyrtis #stephentowns #tmatts #takemeawaytothestars #art #exhibition #blackartist #blackart #blackownedbusiness #artgallery #artisttalk #latergram

A post shared by Galerie Myrtis (@galeriemyrtis) on Feb 3, 2017 at 2:19pm PST

7. Mackey Twins Art Gallery

Mackey Twins Art Gallery was born out of a love for art collecting and the lack of representation for Black artists. The business has been a staple in the Mount Vernon, New York, community since 2002, and is one of the leading Black art dealers in the Westchester and New York City areas, particularly during Harlem Fine Arts Festival.

8. Neema Gallery

Charleston, South Carolina, got something to say, and it’s conveyed through well-curated exhibitions, showcasing of Southern art and craft. Neema Gallery can be found in Charleston’s Gallery Row, repping Black art from the Gullah community. April Harrison’s artwork is displayed on constant rotation.

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Clip 1 of SC Illustrator and Neema Gallery Artist, April Harrison’s Book Talk from Book Signing Sundays at Neema Gallery. March 3, 2019 “What Is Given From the Heart” written by Patricia McKissack and Illustrated by April Harrison. Visit the link in our instagram profile to view the entire video. #NeemaGallery #Neemagalleryfamily #AprilHarrison #WhatIsGivenFromTheHeart #Charleston #CharlestonSC #charlestonartgallery

A post shared by Neema Gallery (@neemagallery) on Mar 3, 2019 at 3:10pm PST

9. Band of Vices

Band of Vices (BoV) took Los Angeles by storm when it opened, nearly selling out the show in 2018. The gallery has kept its momentum by exhibiting strong work produced by a range of talented artists and curators, including actress Angela Bassett.

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This Saturday, the 12th of January, #BandofVices will be open from 12PM – 12AM… . Why? Why not?! . Come thru this Saturday, anytime between 12pm-12am and experience the dynamic work in BETWEEN TWO WORLDS, featuring large-format paintings by @arielvargassal & @chambersdominic… . In the Gallery Annex, don’t miss the debut of @bygracelynne’s obsessively-pink figurative works… . Gonna be a great Saturday, #ComeThru!!!

A post shared by BAND OF VICES (@bandofvices) on Jan 10, 2019 at 10:54pm PST

Whether you’re just getting into the market, an avid collector or someone wanting to understand and experience the excellence of Black art, patronize your local Black galleries. Also, don’t be shy to fall into one of these listed galleries, if you find yourself in their neck of the woods.

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