Philadelphia has a Rich History of Black Fine Art Shows:

The Inaugural Black Art in America Fine Art Show Philadelphia debuts

September 14-16th, 2018 at the Historic Belmont Mansion

featuring artwork by Jurell Cayetano, Karen Powell, Woodrow Nash, Charles White, Romare Bearden, Nelson Stevens, David Driskell, Najee Dorsey, Lavett Ballard, Richard Barthe and Jamaal Barber

(Philadelphia, August 13, 2018) – Sean Combs recently purchased a work by Kerry James Marshall at a Sotheby’s auction for 21.1 million dollars. More museums than ever before are now having solo and group shows by African American artists, breaking previous attendance records. Collectors are clamoring to be among the first off waitlist for some of the most sought after contemporary artists of color.  By now you know that the demand is high but where do you buy fine art, as well as learn and become a more informed collector?

The Inaugural Black Art in America Fine Art Show Philadelphia is being held September 14 – 16, 2018 at the Belmont Mansion and Underground Railroad Museum, 2000 Belmont Mansion Dr, Philadelphia, PA 19131. The three-day hybrid art fair art exhibit is a free and open to the public family friendly event.

The show will feature an impressively curated array of artworks presented by nationally invited galleries, dealers and artists. Artwork will be offered in a range of media from paintings, photography, limited edition prints, mixed media as well as works on paper and sculpture.  All artwork will be for sale.

Exhibition featuring works by Norman Lewis, Hughie Lee-Smith, Reginald Gammon, John Biggers, Elizabeth Catlett, Romare Bearden, Samella Lewis, David Driskell, Sonie Ruffin, Richmond Barthe’, Richard Yarde, Faith Ringgold, Richard Mayhew, Charles Alston, Charles White, Jacob Lawrence, Danny Simmons, Lavett Ballard, Jamaal Barber, Benny Andrews, Masa Zodros, Joachim McMillan, Woodrow Nash, Najee Dorsey, Gerald Lovell, Charly Palmer, Delita Martin,  Jurell Cayetano, Barkley Hendricks, Bob Thompson, Nelson Stevens and many more.

 

Aunt Sarah by Lavett Ballard

“Bon Bon Buddies” by Reginald Gammon

Artists spotlight

“We are excited to showcase two artists with significant ties to the city of Philadelphia. One being the University of the Arts in Philadelphia alumni, contemporary artist Lavett Ballard. Two, Philadelphia’s own Reginald Gammon (1921-1997). Recently Mrs. Ballard was published in Black Art in America as one of the Top 10 Emerging African American Women Artists to Collect as represented by Black owned art galleries. Her success currently has her showing at the Philadelphia African American Museum. Her mixed media works using reclaimed wooden fences has captured the imagination of collectors around the country. Reginald “Reggie” Gammon (as he was affectionately called) was born March 31, 1921 in Philadelphia,

Pennsylvania and went on to become an important artist, a real artist of the times. Gammon was an exceptional teacher, painter and printmaker. As an intellectual artist, his work depicted the civil rights struggles of the 1960’s, the dignity of unsung heroes, jazz and blues musicians, and observations of everyday life. Gammon also was a founding member of the artist collective Spiral, a group of African American artists that included Romare Bearden, Richard Mayhew, Hale Woodruff and Alvin Hollingsworth. In 1969, Gammon and Benny Andrews formed the Black Emergency Cultural Coalition. This highly political group of artists picketed the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Whitney Museum of Modern Art to protest the exclusion of black artists and curators at both institutions. We are proud to acknowledge these artists’ works and showcase them during our Fine Art Show next month.” – Najee Dorsey

The art show kicks off on Friday, Sept. 14th, 6-9 p.m. with the opening night collector preview and reception benefiting The Colored Girls Museum, tickets are $75. The doors open to the public at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 15th and Sunday Sept. 16th  at 11 a.m with panel discussions on art and various seminars on collecting and art industry topics.

Seminar daily passes are $25:

BAIA Talks will be hosting several seminars throughout the day to further educate and create conversation amongst attendants about current art topics.

Saturday

  • BAIA Talks: Inside scoop: What really happened with the Barnes Foundation 11:00-11:45 am.
  • BAIA Talks:  Art Lawyer Sammetria Goodson discusses the top three legal issues for Artists, Collectors, and Galleries and offers best practices on avoiding disputes 1 – 1:45 pm
  • BAIA Talks: ‘ART COLLECTORS’, Chicago Style 3 – 3:50pm.

Sunday

  • BAIA Talks: Creating Sanctuary with Art as a Transformative and Healing Experience  11:30 – 12:30
  • BAIA Talks: Seat at the Table: Conversation with Board Members of Art Institutions 1 – 2 pm.

About Black Art In America™

BAIA is a multifaceted media company and art gallery located in Columbus, Georgia that was launched in 2010. BAIA, is a website that amplifies thought-provoking commentary on today’s visual arts news from a variety of perspectives including breaking news, profiles of leading and emerging Black artists, and market trends. The company stretches its digital footprint via gallery meetups, private exhibitions, and curated art shows in Houston, Chicago, Miami, New York and other major markets. BAIA is the presenter of the Inaugural Black Art in America Fine Art Show Philadelphia.

 

The list of media and cultural partners and ambassadors include the Community Council Health Systems, Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, The Colored Girls Museum, Pathfinders Travel Magazine, The March on Washington Film Festival, Heike Rass Consultant and The Silver-Parker Group.

To learn more visit www.blackartinamerica.com or email info@blackartinamerica.com  For media inquiries, contact Kristen Jones at 706.992.6210, email kristen@blackartinamerica.com

For more event information please visit  https://tinyurl.com/baiaphillyfineart

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