There are dozens of art galleries in North Texas, but only a few are owned by people of color. Here are five POC-owned galleries trying to build community and make space for often overlooked voices.
Pencil on Paper Gallery
Founded in 2019 by Valerie Gillespie, Pencil on Paper Gallery is a contemporary studio in the Design District. The Black-owned space uplifts emerging, mid-career and veteran Dallas artists while fostering community engagement through education. Gillespie also leads the nonprofit Valerie Gillespie Contemporary, which offers artist residencies, workshops and programs that help young artists and beginners refine their skills.
Daisha Board Gallery
Daisha Board Gallery is a Black-owned contemporary art gallery that represents BIPOC artists, LGBTQ and disabled artists across media such as sculpture, photography and performance art. Located in the Oak Cliff Assembly, Daisha Board Gallery focuses on inclusion and visibility for marginalized artists.
Mi Barrio 214
Founded by Viktor Ortix in 2022, Mi Barrio 214 is a multidisciplinary community hub in Pleasant Grove. The space includes an art gallery, plant shop, coffee shop, screening printing studio, skateboard shop and comic book store. Its mission is to preserve Pleasant Grove culture while promoting safety and creativity.
Gallery 86
Established in 2017 by fraternity brothers Juan Castillo, Javier Riojas, Nicolás González and Arturo Hernandez, Gallery 86 began as a virtual art gallery to showcase underrepresented artists like themselves. Now, the group owns a physical space in Pleasant Grove, which hosts art shows, workshops, youth art classes, private lessons and community events. Their mission is to expand access to the arts in Pleasant Grove.
Wright Art Twins Gallery
Brothers Princeton and Preston Wright founded Wright Art Twins Gallery in 2016 with a focus on supporting beginner artists nationwide. Located in South Side on Lamar, the Black-owned gallery has sponsored over 70 artists across major U.S. cities and organizes private shows, networking events and creative workshops. While it's been a year since the most recent post, the Wright twins YouTube channel features videos of them offering advice and insight from artists in the community.
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