Our Mission
BlkArthouse is a social enterprise organization dedicated to promoting and selling art by emerging black artists
Our Services
Artist Empowerment
First and foremost, BlkArthouse is here to support and empower Black artists. For too long Black artists have been underrepresented and lacked the networks and resources necessary to succeed in the visual arts. This platform provides a space for black creativity to thrive and move towards collective progress. We work with Black artists from around the country and world to sell and promote their art, learn business skills, build their careers, and connect them with opportunities.
The BLKMKT
BlkArthouse maintains the only multi-vendor marketplace for Black artists to sell their artwork. The BLKMKT is dedicated to Black creativity and features original and printed works of art, as well as photography, which is curated by our in-house team. Because we work with Black artists around the country and world, the BLKMKT reflects a broad range of contemporary and visual artistic styles. We rotate our collection of art on the BLKMKT approximately every month in order to feature a fresh and dynamic marketplace.
The BlkArthouse Advisory Board
Dr. Valerie Gillespie
Dr. Valerie Gillespie is the Director of Visual and Performing Arts at the Winston School in Dallas, Texas. Valerie is a wife, mother, artist and owner of Pencil of Paper Gallery. With a passion for the arts, and through her curatorial work, Valerie strives to consistently create platforms of education in the arts for learning, creating and communicating.
Claudia Watts
Claudia M. Watts has been a lover and patron of the arts since childhood. Claudia has assumed strategic and cultural roles at the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum (ACM), and currently works as Director of Culture at Eaton Hotel. She also is the Managing Editor of the Washington Informer’s Bridge Magazine, an arts and culture-focused publication. Claudia works as a private consultant and independent curation.
Dwight Smith
Dwight O. Smith, retired U.S. army major, is an avid collector of fine art, supporting local, national, and international artists with a focus on women and people of color. He currently works for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. During his service, Dwight received awards including the Bronze Star, The Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, The Meritorious Service Medal, and the Combat Action Badge.
Paige Bolinger
Paige Bolinger is an attorney at a global venture capital platform and an avid lover and consumer of the arts. More importantly, Paige believes in the importance of raising the profile of Black artists, and connecting Black artists and Black art with interested collectors and buyers. Paige lives in the Baltimore, MD area with her husband.
Nancy Mwirotsi
Nancy Mwirotsi is a recognized innovator and founder of Pursuit of Innovation 515, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering women and minorities in STEM. Nancy has a long history of supporting and advocating for underrepresented individuals in tech and has a passion for encouraging Black and female entrepreneurship.
