Join us for a lively conversation including perspectives from gallerists Dr Valerie Bennet and Daisha Board, artist Tyra J, and collector Cathryn McClellan on collecting, things to think through when buying your first pieces, and other tips for emerging collectors, moderated by Black Arts DFW Co-Founder Darryl Ratcliff.
About Our Panelists:
Tyra J. is an interdisciplinary sculpture artist and designer who has exhibited in Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Paris, and Venice. In 2023 she attended Chateau Orquevaux Artists & Writers Residency in France and became a Nasher Sculpture Center grant recipient. After gaining 10 years of experience as a project manager in the software and interior design industries, she set out to combine her talents and launch Indra Project. She's passionate about serving the creative community and serves as the Board of Directors Vice President for arts nonprofit Friends of Darryl Ratcliff.
Cathryn Mcclellan is a philanthropist, art collector, and community champion born and raised in Dallas, Texas. She has been actively involved in numerous nonprofit organizations and is committed to fostering equity and inclusivity for all. Cathryn works at American Express, spearheading strategy for global external diversity, equity, and inclusion strategic partnership initiatives in the technology organization, including apprenticeship programs and community partnerships. Beyond her corporate endeavors, she co-founded Black Arts DFW in 2021, a nonprofit organization focused on providing professionals interested in becoming more involved as collectors and/or patrons with educational and experiential opportunities to explore Black arts and culture across North Texas. She also passionately engages in community work, lending her leadership to the incoming Junior League of Dallas Board of Directors, to HERitage Giving Fund as a founding member and Chair of the Executive Council, current board member of the Business Council for the Arts, and former President of the Board of Directors of Presidental Award recognized organization The GEMS Camp. She has been recognized for her outstanding community leadership by being awarded the 2021 BCA Obelisk Oustanding Leadership Arts Institute Alumnus Award and honored as a Black Philanthropy Month Black Women Give Back recipient in 2022.
Dr. Valerie Bennett is an independent curator and gallerist based in Dallas. She holds a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of New England and a master's in art from New York University. Her undergraduate studies in Studio Art and Spanish at Randolph-Macon Woman’s College led her to spend time abroad in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, where she studied art and architecture. She later completed an artist residency at Università Iuav di Venezia in Venice, Italy, where she studied painting and art history under the guidance of Maurizio Pellegrin.
Valerie is the owner of Pencil on Paper Gallery, located in Dallas’s Design District, and the founder of Valerie Gillespie Contemporary, a nonprofit organization supporting local artists. Her curatorial projects include exhibitions with 500X Gallery, The Other Art Fair, The Beachum Family Collection, The Martin Museum, Southern Methodist University, The Hawn Gallery, The African American Museum of Dallas and the Texas Visual Arts Association.
Pencil on Paper Gallery has received accolades, including Best Art Gallery in Dallas/Fort Worth (2021), Best Art Space in Dallas by D Magazine(2023), and Best Art Gallery for Emerging Artists by D Magazine (2024). The gallery has been featured in The Dallas Morning News, Patron Magazine, Elliman Magazine, D Magazine, The Dallas Observer, Voyage Dallas, and on CBS Mornings. Now in its sixth season, Pencil on Paper Gallery proudly presented work from its represented artists at the Harlem Fine Art Show and Hamptons Fine Art Fair in 2024 and looks forward to its second presentation at the Dallas Art Fair in the spring of 2025.
Daisha Board is a prominent figure in the art world, known for her role as the Owner & Founder of Daisha Board Gallery, a renowned art gallery based in Dallas, Texas. Her passion for art, combined with her keen business acumen, has positioned her as a prominent advocate for contemporary artists and a respected tastemaker in the industry.Born and raised in Queens, NYC, Daisha developed a deep appreciation for art from a young age. She was captivated by the power of artistic expression and the ability of art to evoke emotions, challenge conventions, and spark meaningful conversations. Her fascination with art led her to pursue a bachelor's degree in political science & African American Studies at Bethune-Cookman (College) University, an HBCU in Daytona Beach, FL.After a corporate layoff from her career in Finance & Real Estate in 2017, Daisha embarked on a journey to immerse herself in the art world. She gained invaluable experience working with various galleries and museums, honing her expertise in curating exhibitions, fostering artist relationships, and navigating the intricacies of the art market. This hands-on experience allowed her to develop a keen eye for emerging talent and a deep understanding of the ever-evolving art landscape.In 2021, Daisha pursued her lifelong dream of establishing her own gallery, and thus, Daisha Board Gallery was born. Her vision was to create a space that showcased diverse and thought-provoking contemporary art, bridging the gap between artists and art enthusiasts, and fostering a vibrant creative community.Under Daisha's leadership, Daisha Board Galleries has flourished into one of the most prestigious art destinations in Dallas and beyond. The gallery has gained recognition for its carefully curated exhibitions, featuring innovative works across various mediums, including painting, sculpture, photography, and new media. Daisha's commitment to promoting underrepresented artists and amplifying marginalized voices has earned her widespread acclaim and respect within the art community.In addition to her work at the gallery, Daisha is actively involved in philanthropic efforts, advocating for arts education, and supporting local artists and cultural organizations. As a proud member of UNT College of Visual Arts and Design Board as well as Dallas Galleries for Advocacy Board, she believes in the transformative power of art and its ability to inspire change and create a more inclusive society.Daisha Board's passion, expertise, and relentless dedication have solidified her position as a trailblazer in the art world. Her commitment to nurturing artistic talent, fostering meaningful connections, and promoting the transformative power of art continue to shape and elevate the cultural landscape of Dallas, Texas, and beyond.Daisha Board Gallery focuses on optimum visibility, inclusion, and acquisitions for marginalized artists. Daisha Board has curated, juried, and collaborated on exhibitions and projects in both traditional and non-traditional art spaces throughout Dallas. To name a few, The Arlington Art Fair, The Other Art Fair, African American Museum of Dallas, Dallas Contemporary, 500X Gallery and City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture.