Here’s a date idea: take them to a Black-owned art gallery.
A typical date in NYC usually looks like bar hopping in LES or cuddling in a movie theater. While there’s nothing wrong with a good cuddle session that lasts the entire three hours of Black Panther 2, sometimes we just need a better reason to get dressed up, making an art gallery the perfect date idea for the young, Black artsy couples whose Friday nights are usually spent in a dark bar singing karaoke or playing Jenga.
Black-owned art galleries provoke emotion, translate our joy and pain, and highlight our originality. The ability to do all of the above is something I don’t take for granted when coming across the work of Black artists. If you’re tired of dinner and a movie, here’s a list of Black-owned art galleries to visit in NYC:
Medium Tings:
Founded in 2017 by Stephanie Baptist, Medium Tings is a nomadic gallery project with a focus on early career artists from around the world. Located in Brooklyn, their current exhibition, Adolphus Washington: My Hands Sing the Blues, ends December 18th.
June Kelly Gallery:
“Founded in 1987, the Gallery in SoHo specializes in contemporary art by diverse group of emerging, mid-career and established artists.” Located at 166 Mercer Street, New York, NY 10012, their current exhibition, Claudia DeMonte, ends January 10, 2023.
Dorsey’s Fine Art Gallery:
“Making art accessible to all!” Located at 553 Rogers Ave Brooklyn, NY 11225, this is the oldest Black fine art gallery in New York City.
Cierra Britton Gallery:
“The first NYC based gallery dedicated to representing BIPOC womxn artists of color.” Located at 347 Broome Street New York, NY 10013, their most recent exhibition, Body and Soul, ended November 26th.
Black Wall Street Gallery:
“Contemporary art gallery that uses art as a vehicle to bridge racial gaps, build community, and spread love.” Located at 555 West 25th Street, New York, NY 10001, their current exhibition, Candyland/Banned From the Gallery, ends December 17th.
Black Gotham Experience:
“Artist-led media company creating content at the intersection of scholarship and aesthetics to illustrate the impact of the African Diaspora.”
Bill Hodges Gallery:
“Founded in 1979, Bill Hodges Gallery specializes in modern and contemporary art by notable artists of African descent.” Located at 529 W 20th ST #10E, New York, NY 10011, their current exhibition, Blockbuster, ends December 17th.