I Completed My First Art Exhibition As A Gallerist.
If you would have told me at the beginning of the year, that by the end of the year, I would be able to call myself a gallerist, I would have believed you & saved my brain a lot of stress.
It’s no secret that I have always had a passion for the arts, and through this platform I have been able to share the many endeavors empowering me to explore & demonstrate how I can contribute to the greater galaxy. From jersey designer and poet, to lecturer and fashion intern, 2024 has allowed me to take up space in a diverse set of rooms, all leading me to my latest gig as a gallerist.
A little less than a month ago I was forced to cancel a trip that I was really looking forward to. Bummed out, I came across a flyer for the opening of the ‘Queens & Kings: A Tale of Two Cities’ Exhibit, at 38a Gallery powered by Adidas. Along with supporting my friend Mike Jones, who was one of the featured photographers showing 10 works alongside Khadija Sugulle & Bryant Lindsay, something in my gut told me that I would also have something to gain from being at this event.
The Black Charlotte arts community is alive and growing. I always feel so inspired and full when I step out to art-related events in the city, and to my assumption, this one did not disappointed.
When I arrived, the gallery was packed out. A few familiar faces floated among the sea of people interacting with the work & artists, in between vibing out to the sounds of DJ Dammit Wesley.
Among them was the curator, Jai Johnson or “Ori Jai.” Familiar with her work, earlier this year when she was curating for a previous show, she considered me, but at the time I wasn’t ready. So when I ran into her again, I made it a point to express that I would love to work with her if the opportunity presented itself again. Luckily it did.
The gallery needed a gallerist for the exhibition & I needed a job, so I accepted. And one week later I returned dressed in all black, ready to share the amazing works with those in the community.
If you are not already familiar, a gallerist is a person who owns an art gallery or who exhibits and promotes artists' work in galleries and other venues in order to attract potential buyers.
My daily tasks as a gallerist, when I wasn’t taking my daily mirror selfie or admiring the skaters outside, included opening & closing the gallery, tending to guests that came into the space to view the exhibit, keeping up with the space by checking that each work hung on the wall as it should, sweeping the floors, wiping down the mirror and windows, cleaning the bathroom, and staying in contact with the curator + other gallerist if any other tasks came up.
In between guests and tasks there was a lot of downtime for me to work in silence and admire the space around me. I like the slower pace of this role because it not only allotted me a ton of time to think about the pieces, but also each person that entered the space entered with intention. From those local to the neighborhood, to art lovers that specifically traveled to, this show brought the community out in a way that I haven’t ever before got the chance to experience.
What 38a describes as, “A visual dialogue between two cities.”
The Queens & Kings brought together emerging and established artists from Charlotte and Pittsburgh, showcasing works that explore identity, resilience, and cultural heritage. Our show being the Charlotte half and the Pittsburg half on opening on 12/13. Along with the works themselves Adidas collaborated with the gallery to create shoe from their legendary Superstar silhouette.
”Queens & Kings is a collaborative project between 38a and adidas, aimed at empowering artists in traditionally underrepresented spaces. The exclusive adidas Superstar “Queens + Kings” sneakers, reimagined with cracked white details, chunky striped laces, and hidden messages, are available only through seeding. adidas is re-energizing the Superstar franchise in 2025, and Queens & Kings leads the narrative with this iconic collaboration.”
For me, the works featured, clarified elements of the career and lifestyle I am & intend to continue practicing.
The work of Mike Jones reminded me that I want to strengthen my relationships and hone in on authentic collaborations with my peers.
I often think about the Issa Rae interview where she encourages people to network across, and Jones’ work does just that. His ability to capture his contemporaries and community members is what made his pieces so compelling. From budding rap stars to multi-hyphenate creatives, his portraits capture a diverse range of people, many still unknown to me. Leaving me room to wonder who these people are & what stories they hold. And the best part about it, is the fact that all of these people are real and directly reflect not only Jones’ artistic journey but the current culture of NC. When I look at my own creative practice, his approach is one that I relate to.
The work of Khadija Sugulle reminded me that sisterhood and femininity are themes that I want to continue exploring and uplifting.
Sugulle’s work showcases Black and Brown women boasting with vibrant colors, prints, and textures, that create compelling compositions. Prior to our first meeting I could tell that she cared about her subjects. Her ability to photograph these women and allow them to appear strong but equally as delicate, is a skill that not all photographers have. Her portraits feel human and make me want to tap into my own femininity. It’s like experiencing fine china. You understand how powerful its structure is, but you’re careful with how you handle it, because after all it is exquisite. As I explore my own womanhood in my creative practice, I will keep her work at the top of mind.
The work of Bryant Lindsay reminded me that I want to physically be in my community, because it is the candid moments that count the most.
Lindsay’s ability to capture a moment in time and leave the viewer with an array of possibilities is one of the reasons why I know I need to be in Charlotte for 2025. When I look at his depictions of Black life in spaces that I have known my entire life, they remind me that the real culture is felt when feet are to the ground. And while I have been back in Charlotte it have soaked up so much of the warmth from my community and in return I want to be that fly on wall. Documenting not only for my own creative practice, but for the people who need to see themselves to view the world of art more critically.
When I wasn’t tending to the works in the gallery or working at the desk, I helped to facilitate 3 events hosted in the space.
The first event was a private portrait session with featured artist Mike Jones. An intimate night of friends and photography there was a really laid back energy in the room. I had the opportunity to meet a few new people & walked away with a few new (absolutely amazing) portraits. :)
The second event was a community photo walk. Joined by featured artist Khadija Sugulle & a few other friends/photographers. For about 2 hours we wandered around the neighborhood as they captured the scenery and themselves. I took a backseat for this event, allowing the photographers to lead the way. Ideating in real time we made three stops on our journey before returning to take last shots in the ABP Skate Store neighboring the gallery.
Overall I enjoyed watching the various working styles of the photographers as the collaborated and captured a diverse set of photos. When they were done, they & other local photographers got the opportunity submit their work to be featured in the exhibition closing.
Last but certainly not least, the third event before the exhibition closed, was a zine workshop. We hosted 20 students ranging from high school to college, where they were tasked with creating a mini zine. (and let me tell you, they really got into)
Immediately after intros they dove into the box of materials, utilizing colored paper, washi tape, permanent markers, hole punchers, ribbon & more to create an assortment of zines tackling various topics, rooted in the theme of Queens & Kings. From sketchbook style and illustrations, to poetry and short stories, this workshop was so refreshing. I have been exploring zines all year & it is always nice to be in a room full of young wondrous minds and witness what they do when given the same canvas.
I also participated in the workshop. To commemorate the exhibition, I created a mini zine titled, “my first exhibition as a gallerist.” :)
After we wrapped our final community event, all there was left to do was close the show. To prepare, as gallerist, we supported our curator in cleaning up the gallery and ensuring it was pristine condition for the guest. We also loosely assisted her with putting together the community wall, and putting together the community photo album.
It felt bittersweet preparing for closing night. In this short period of time I have really enjoyed being in the space everyday, but I leave knowing that I gave it my all.
Closing night… was grown, it was sexy, it was what I imagined my 20’s would look like after watching the Brown Sugar movie in my adolescence. The wine flowed and the guards came down welcoming people to vibe to the r&b music that coated the room.
Closing night was the cherry on top to a greater realization I am having. I love art, physical space, and yapping. I know that I can sell art, introduce new people to new pieces & connect with collectors in a way that knows no bounds.
So I’m going to do that.
In an effort to continue committing to my chaos, I am not deciding to solely be a gallerist or just sell art. (If you have a full-time job for me, I will consider it though lol) But instead confidently creating more art and releasing it without overcomplicating and overanalyzing every step of the way.
With an art show coming up in less than two weeks, you can expect to see me, my work & cherished objects in more art spaces. (And maybe down the line I will own my art gallery)
Nonetheless, see you soon at the Hunnid Dollar Art Fair! :)