Richmond’s Only Black Woman–Owned Gallery Takes a Brief Pause
UPDATED 10/30: Chromophore Art Gallery will accept appointments to see the works until November 7, which will double as a closing reception for the solo exhibit by Yvonne Ferguson.
by Eric Jackson
JACKSON WARD — Chromophore Artspace has announced that it will be closing its gallery doors for a short pause until the end of October.
As Richmond’s only Black woman–owned art gallery, Chromophore has become a vital creative hub since opening in late 2024. Founded by mixed-media artist Ayah Davis-Karim, the gallery first opened its doors at the end of 2024 as a “season long pop-up.” Davis-Karim’s intention was to bring different aspects of expertise from the art world, to a “holistic business model” – helping other creatives fulfill their dreams.
“We love what we do,” she says. “We remain deeply committed to providing safe, empowering environments for artists, and entrepreneurs to flourish, enjoy art and get a sense of healing.”
According to Davis-Karim, “it’s not a lack of imagination” that has kept Chromophore from being completely sustainable, “but a lack of resources.”
Like many independent galleries, and art galleries across Virginia, Chromophore relies on private funding, grants from non-profit organizations, and initiatives like the revitalization initiative to sustain operations. And according to Davis-Karim, the funding is available, but it seems to whom.
All City Art Club, a grassroots collaborative arts project of the last 6+ years, just secured their own space, with the assistance of the Richmond non-profit, Collaborative Arts.
Read in print: All City Art Club’s New Space HERE.
But Davis-Karim isn’t the only one depending on, and/ or suffering from lack of funding. Reports from RVAMag say spaces like Studio Two Three, a local community art space, are some of those suffering from the change in federal funding administered by today’s administration.
As a result of the pause, Chromophore’s regular gallery hours and programming — like the recent Head-Roc 20-Year Anniversary show celebrating his NEGROPHOBIA! album — will not resume until November 1. The small, three-person team of Black women is taking time to recharge and plan for the future. Davis-Karim, the owner and curator, says that when they return, they intend to keep an “element of surprise,” but not without first improving the Chromatic Jazz series and expanding their wellness and workshop offerings.
Davis-Karim said that her goal is to, “attract a wider audience.”
But this is not the end. Once Chromophore reopens in November, Davis-Karim will run a fundraising campaign to raise $25,000 - $50,000 — helping the art gallery grow, and sustain the work that they provide the community.
She says that, “Every day on our block, we see the very real effects of displacement, gentrification, and other system issues affecting our people.”
Chromophore Artspace is committed to creating, “safe, empowering environments for artists.” When we asked about what that looks like in practice, she explains:
“Nothing kills the soul of an artist and their spirit of creativity more than critique that tears down without first uplifting.” She continues, “There’s enough of that in the traditional art world, so I wanted Chromophore to be a place that feels safe for emerging artists to gain confidence around their work and practice.”
In The Image of Us, an art exhibit featuring Yvonne Ferguson, will continue to be on display through the end of October, through appointment only. If you’d prefer to view the gallery from home, Ferguson’s digital gallery is available at ChromophoreArtspace.com
A closing event will take place on First Friday, November 7, marking both a celebration and a renewal of the gallery’s next chapter.
If you would like to contact Chromophore, you can do that HERE.
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