Sir Will and Dammit Wesley co-own BlkMrktClt, and between them they cover a lot of ground: video production and photography on one side, painting and graphic design on the other. That's the whole idea. It's a Black-owned gallery and studio in Charlotte, run by working artists for working artists.
The mission is stated plainly: give local photographers and artists of color a safe, supportive place to make work, with access to resources, connections, and guidance, in an art world that has historically underrepresented them.
The Nu Growth Exhibition Series shows what that looks like in practice. It follows artists of color through their development, and in 2021 it marked the studio's four-year anniversary by putting six local Black women artists on the walls, one Friday night at a time: analog photography, charcoal portraits, oil paintings, collage, and mixed media built from fabric and textiles.
Beyond exhibitions, there are community workshops, merch worth wearing, and a way to fund the studio's art education and shows. Donors who want a tax deduction can arrange it through the studio's nonprofit partner.
Open Tuesday through Saturday by appointment, closed Sunday and Monday. Reach out first, then come see who's on the walls.