LOUISVILLE, Ky. — "Artists and Afros" will take place at the Norton Healthcare Sports and Learning Center during the first weekend of October. The free event will be an opportunity for people to see local and national Black artists.
The event plans to showcase and celebrate African American art, culture, and heritage.
"We hope that people understand that this is about supporting these artists, giving them an opportunity to really show off their work," Sadiqa Reynolds, Perception Institute CEO, said.
Shauntrice Martin is a partner for the event and founder of Okike, an organization to help black business owners. Marrtin said art is a $60 billion industry, and black artists only get about 2% of that.
In Louisville, Martin said, 3% of businesses are black-owned.
"There's a really big gap and this inaugural event is an opportunity for us to change that," said Martin. " We want to make history, so that the future history making gallery owners...are going to have an opportunity to be paid what they deserve and showcase their work."
Martin mentioned the recent Black Future Fest that had more than 500 attendees, and artists who earn more than $25,000. She said there's a hope to double that at Artists and Afros.
"Each event we do, we know we're going to boost artists and we're going to boost local black-owned businesses, even if they're not in art," Martin said.
Partner for the event, Cathy Shannon with E & S Gallery, said the gallery is proud to be a part of the process as a black-owned business that's the largest art and custom framing gallery in the country.
"As a national gallery based in Louisville, we're used to traveling to other cities," Shannon said. "It was such an enormous opportunity for us to help bring some of the artists we represent nationally, back to our home."
The event will take place from Oct. 5 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Oct. 6 from noon to 6 p.m. inside the center. Reynolds said she does not know how many people will show up for the event but is planning for large crowds.
"But I'll tell you what I know for sure, this event is going to grow, and grow, and grow," Reynolds said. "And, it won't be long before people in other cities and other countries are coming to Louisville to participate in Artists and Afros, I can promise you that."
Along with art to see, the event will have drinks and live music. Reynolds said St. James Arts Fair is during the same weekend, and organizers want to encourage people to go to both. Reynolds said they are working on providing transportation to and from both art events.
►Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the WHAS11 News app now. For Apple or Android users.
Have a news tip? Email assign@whas11.com, or visit our Facebook page or X feed.