Black Art in America
One of BAIA Foundation’s 2022 initiatives is instituting marketing assistance for African American Museums and Cultural Centers.
After celebrating our grand opening at our new headquarters in East Point, Georgia, we’d like to reintroduce ourselves for this week’s cultural center! Black Art in America is a multifaceted arts company that, since 2010, has served as a culture keeper for the African-American arts community. That includes documenting our stories, preserving our history and legacies, and promoting our continual Black Excellence.
In the last 10 years, we’ve generated thousands of hours of free original content and educational tools. Conducted member workshops, profiles on artists, collectors and industry professionals as well as produced fine art shows in major markets that were free and open to the public. We also work with organizations to help them raise money from art sales, exhibitions and programming.
BAIA was birthed from consistent motivation from the Mother, family, friends, and even a few rejections of founder and creator, Najee Dorsey. After deciding to pursue his art career in the late ’90s with the support of his wife, Seteria Dorsey, they opened their first small gallery in Arkansas, featuring his good friend, Najjar Abdul-Musawwir’s art along with his own. Shortly after, they purchased an old JC Penny’s building to introduce their first big gallery named Dorsey Gallery, Najee’s Cappuccino and Jazz. Najee and Seteria later moved to Georgia to pursue art full-time after being nudged by Spirit and the close friends and family prophesying Najee’s success in art.
Najee and Seteria Dorsey
“There’s a quote from a book that a colleague had wrote many years ago that I remember. She says that the universe is designed in such a manner, that if we put forth the effort, it must yield to us. And that’s the case. I’ve always felt that I was favored. I’ve always felt that anything that I put my mind to, that I can achieve. There’s not a single thing—generally speaking—in this life that I’ve wanted and worked towards and put the effort and energy into bringing into existence, that hasn’t happened for me. So it’s out here for us. And it’s out here for so many more of us. We just have to take chances, take risks, and go all in.”
Black Art in America’s new gallery has been born into the rich legacy of Black culture—conceived in a spirit of deep love for Black art, Black community, Black excellence, and the great ancestors. The opening of this gallery is a proud moment for every Black artist, collector, art enthusiast, cultural warrior, and member of the Black diaspora who understands that the centerpiece for our survival as a cultural group relies on our ability to gather together with intention and purpose. It relies on our ability to harness our collective creative potential to affect change in our communities. It relies on our mastery of art and image-making to produce narratives that reinforce our beauty, worthiness, and power in the eyes of each other. And as the late Dr. Samella Lewis said, it relies on us “dwelling in our own household.”
The Black Art in America Gallery and Sculpture Garden is our house. A cultural mecca comprised of art and conversation, music, and salon talks with artists and collectors, and celebrations. Standing proudly on almost an acre of land, this is a place for us to gather in dignity and in celebration of each other. This will be so much more than an art gallery.
Through the Black Art in America (BAIA) Foundation, which launched in 2022, we’re devoting many of our efforts towards facilitating the growth of artists while cultivating the relationships and opportunities that bring Black artists and communities together. The gallery will offer regular programming for residents, students, and artists from the local neighborhood and beyond.
The highly-anticipated opening of the Black Art in America Gallery and Sculpture Garden on June 18 and 19 will feature the works of a compelling mix of emerging and established artists. Their art adorns both the gallery walls and exterior garden of the new art complex at 1802 Connally Drive in East Point, Georgia. Housed on a near-acre of land and surrounded by a sculpture garden, the art gallery boasts event spaces, art lounges, a gift shop, and jazz deck.
Hours of Operation
Thursday-Saturday from 11am-6pm
Monday-Wednesday, by appointment
THE BLACK ART IN AMERICA (BAIA) FOUNDATION is a 501c3 organization that applies what we’ve learned over our 12 years as a multifaceted arts company to facilitate the growth of artists while cultivating the relationships and opportunities that bring Black artists and communities together.
We invite you to become a monthly supporter of the BAIA Foundation. Starting at just $3 a month, YOU become a stakeholder and begin to help us transform lives through art. We are growing the BAIA team and will use your contributions to hire more team members for the purpose of creating more educational and marketing resources for schools and universities about african american artists both past and present. Such art initiatives and educational programming like Blacklite with Steve Prince, Relating to Art with Dr. Kelli Morgan, and BAIA BITS would not be possible without the ongoing support of our Patreon members. Please consider becoming a monthly Patreon member today!
Review our list of rewards for becoming a BAIA Patreon / patron supporter. Your monthly contribution has lasting benefits. — “What will your legacy be” – Dr. Margaret Burroughs
Thank you new and recurring monthly Patrons
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