Richard Beavers Gallery
All photos by Curt Saunders for Black-Owned Brooklyn
When Richard Beavers opened his fine art gallery in Bed-Stuy back in 2007, some expressed skepticism. Why Bed-Stuy? Wouldn’t it make more sense to establish a gallery in Chelsea or SoHo?
“It’s important for us to have spaces within our community where we can see artwork that tells our stories,” explains Richard, 49. “I’ve been collecting art, created by artists of the African diaspora, for over 30 years but always had to go outside my community for it. Then those selling the art were not reflective of who we are. It’s more about a monetary exchange than a pushing of the culture.”
Twelve years later, Richard Beavers Gallery is still working to counter underrepresentation on both these fronts. Open every Saturday and Sunday (weekdays by appointment), the space is dedicated to showcasing Black emerging and established artists — and facilitating community dialogue around the themes in their work.
Photo: Tayo Giwa
Raised in Flatbush, Richard was exposed to art museums and galleries throughout his childhood, thanks to the influence of his mother. But it wasn’t until age 13, when she took him to the trailblazing Savacou Fine Art Gallery in the East Village, that he felt any connection.
“The gallery was owned by two women from the Caribbean, and it was the first time I ever saw Black contemporary art,” Richard recalls of Savacou, which has since closed.
This spark of possibility stayed with him, even through more than a decade of working in finance and H.R. at MTV, until he eventually pursued a career as a gallerist himself. Today he represents 14 artists, including legendary street photographer Jamel Shabazz, Gullah/Geechee-inspired painter Leroy Campbell and urban expressionist Genesis Tramaine.
In addition to holding three to four solo exhibitions each year, Richard Beavers Gallery hosts events, from artist talks to comedy night to workshops on financial literacy and entrepreneurship.
“Because we’re not accustomed to having galleries in our community, it can sometimes be intimidating to come into the space,” Richard says. “I want the gallery to feel welcoming and familiar, so that the community feels as if they are part of this.”
“I’ve been collecting art, created by artists of the African diaspora, for over 30 years but always had to go outside my community for it. Then those selling the art were not reflective of who we are. It’s more about a monetary exchange than a pushing of the culture.”
In between solo exhibits, Richard Beavers is currently displaying a vivid group show of several talents the gallery represents, including graffiti-artist-turned-painter Frank Morrison, South African multi-disciplinary artist Zwelethu Machepha and modern expressionist Marcus Jansen.
“I look for artists who have their own voice, working within a certain genre but going outside the box,” Richard says, adding that he strives to document the culture of the neighborhood. “The work typically has an urban or inner city influence, depicting various things that we see on a daily basis in our community.”
In keeping with his goal of making art accessible, Richard Beavers Gallery maintains an open-door policy: no buzzer, just walk on in. Come check it out this weekend!
408 Marcus Garvey Boulevard, 347-663-8195, artsy.net/richard-beavers
