This writing was created by Onnissia Harries and formatted for the BlkArthouse blog with the permission of the artist. BEFORE WE BEGIN... Let me start by saying that I did not go in with the expectation to sell anything at The Other Art Fair. Many people in my life thought I was absurd for setting “low expectations” for myself. I went to the art fair with the intention to be memorable and build my network through meaningful connections. I looked at it as a marketing expense that would eventually help propel my career forward in the long term. This was my mindset. By focusing on this, I took a ..read more

Special note from the creative director: As a cultural journalist, sometimes I hear silent chants coming from my ancestors saying “Do it for the culture" Well here goes nothing. I want you to take these headphones, place them over your ears, and listen to the sweet sounds of ,Afrocentric Keyy who has chosen to explore the essence of a Black woman through her art. Our rich hues of blues and purples, the deep undertones of reds and oranges. Each portrait capturing the radiance of Black women; reflecting the richness of our souls. One of the most ‘tell-em-like it is sista’ albums, ,‘The Miseduca ..read more

As a mission-driven enterprise, we are dedicated to providing full disclosure in the impact we are creating. Transparency and accountability will only keep us moving forward. Pictured above: (left to right) Onnissia Harries, Malcolm Xavier, Abi Salami, Von Deon, Kellem Monteiro, and Diane Britton Dunham (collectively, the Inaugural Cohort). The mission of BlkArthouse is to empower Black artists and garner societal recognition and connection with Black creativity. In August 2020, we debuted a soft launch of our organization and in September 2020, we formally began selling art and working with ..read more

Don't Shoot! One-Shot. Two shots. Three shots. Shot! Fallen Black bodies fill the streets. While our babies stand to salute the flag. Mouths declaring peace. As red blood seeps into the concrete. No justice. No sleep. As new mothers welcome sweet tears from the child's eyes. Yesterday, another headline. Today, Don’t Shoot! Untitled, Ms. Jolí All I Need is One Us Pride. Propaganda. Poverty. Shedrick Pelt, Washington DC photographer, recalls his childhood, growing up as a military kid. Inside the bubble of America. Safe. Interracial families.Service The red, the white, the blue. Pride. Frederic ..read more

Last week, BlkArthouse hosted artist coach and author of "Tripping Over Canvases," Dontae T. Muse for a special artist seminar on artrepreneurship (art + entrepreneurship). You can find the recording of that seminar here on our Youtube channel. https://youtu.be/P8M3pybjbPI We also spent some time reading his book so we at BlkArthouse can not only run our art business more effectively, but also assist our artists in doing so too. In sum, to avoid falling into the "starving artist" trope, it is important that all creatives fundamentally understand the art business, and how to run your own -- fro ..read more

There are very few institutions in the United States that have a dedicated fund for the purchase of contemporary art by Black artists, let alone one that is for an institution's permanent collection. This is no surprise given that artwork by Black artists comprises less than 2% of collections at major art institutions. The Perez Art Museum Miami, however, has been intentional in maintaining their Fund for Black Art, which has been used to acquire artwork by contemporary Black artists since 2013--far before Black art was "trendy." BlkArthouse was invited to attend PAMM's ninth annual "Art + So ..read more

This past month, BlkArthouse took to the city of Baltimore and showcased 10 Black artists from across the globe with one mission - to celebrate the stories of Black women; to showcase the beautiful complexity and depth of the experiences as Black women. The winter exhibition titled, 'The Essence of a Black Woman' provided a safe space for Black artists to openly share the stories of Black women and their journeys to the essence - their own stories as Black artists. To tell their stories they must start from the beginning - the Black woman! Featured artist, Kendahl Bell, sat down with BlkArthou ..read more

How black artists and collectors came together to form a new revolutionary way to promote and sell black art. Black art matters. And yet, it is difficult to find a central, accessible location to purchase quality, affordable art by Black artists. For Black artists, it's can be especially hard to gain recognition and meaningfully connect with broad audiences. After a nationwide call to action to support Black communities, we decided to bring Black artists to the forefront and form BlkArthouse -- an organization dedicated exclusively to bridging the gap between everyday art-lovers and Black art ..read more

It is the red, the black, the green, and a touch of gold for me! “When art is shared, it is taking up space” Love Tiffanysits down with BlkArthouse creative director, Ms.Joli, for a one-on-one to explore and define what taking up space in the art community means to her in the new artist platform, Taking Up Space with BlkArthouse. “I came from love.” Art to me is... “Art is to me is passion. It comes in so many varieties and it can touch (you) in multiple levels of ways.” Tiffany shares, defining her art as 'giving a piece of me to them,' committing herself to the spreading of love and positiv ..read more

Dedicated to the hustlers, killers, even the drug dealers (in a deep, rap conscious lyric by one of your favorite rappers) Peace. the evolution of man begins in solitude. BlkArthouse welcomes to the canvas ,Prophet Propaganda, a creative organization dedicated to empowering incarcerated individuals through the arts; customizing threads that promote the power of positivity. The story of Tre’ Spadoni and William Spencer is a story of faith. To have faith in your fellow brother. Well in their case, your fellow cousin. #QuestionEverything “I can get better,” Tre’Spadoni admits as he speaks of the ..read more