Black-Owned Gallery Shines Spotlight on DC's Shy Glizzy

A New Era for Art in Union Market

A Black-owned art gallery in Union Market is making waves with its latest showcase. The Chela Mitchell Gallery, which opened in 2021, has launched its first exhibit titled "You See Where I'm Coming From?" This exhibition was curated by Shy Glizzy, a notable rapper and native of southeast D.C.

Shy Glizzy, whose real name is Marquis King, shared his thoughts on the significance of the exhibit. "Art is always something that I've admired and invested heavily into," he said during an interview. He explained that the pieces featured in the show reflect different aspects of his life, from his past to his present and future.

The Vision Behind the Gallery

Chela Mitchell, the founder and director of the gallery, expressed her pride in taking a step toward her dreams by funding the gallery independently. "Black businesses are underfunded, so everything at my gallery is funded by me. I don't have investors or anything like that, but that's also wonderful. It makes me work harder," she said. Mitchell emphasized the importance of giving back to D.C., a city that shaped her style and perspective.

Artists and Their Stories

Among the artists featured in the exhibit is Lex Marie, known for using school resources to create art. Marie shared how becoming a mother transformed her artistic practice. "My practice changed completely when I became a mother," she said. She discussed how her son's experiences have influenced her work, particularly focusing on issues related to race, gender, and societal challenges.

Marie's artwork includes a viral piece made from her son's pencils, highlighting the impact of his experiences as a young Black boy in America. "I started reclaiming and repurposing objects that he grows out of, objects that he enjoys playing with, in order to speak about things that I'm witnessing as his mother," she explained.

The Role of Art in Education

Marie's work often centers around education, reflecting the time children spend in school. "A lot of my work is education focused," she said. Her pieces address issues such as adultification and the erasure of Black history in schools.

As more musicians transition into the art industry, Mitchell encourages others to explore the investment potential of art. "I like that people within the music industry are embracing that art is also a great investment," she noted. However, she acknowledged the financial barriers that have kept many people of color from engaging with art collection spaces.

Art as a Legacy

Mitchell highlighted the long-term value of art as an investment. "Having the means to collect art is a very expensive hobby, because not only do you have to pay for the artwork, you have to, in turn, pay for the shipping of the artwork, which can be very expensive. You have to install the artwork," she said. She compared it to real estate, emphasizing the potential for growth and passing it down through generations.

"My art collection will go to my daughter and hopefully to her kids," Mitchell added. She believes that cultural wealth is just as important as financial wealth.

Future Exhibitions and Community Support

Viewers can look forward to new shows and art replacements every two months, offering opportunities for emerging artists to showcase their work. "I just enjoy their different perspectives and the colors and the textures and how each artist decided to interpret the work," Mitchell said. She expressed her excitement about the current cohort of artists and encouraged community support.

"Support your local artists. Support your local art galleries. It's not always financial. You can share on your Instagram the artwork of an artist. You can come to the gallery and share your experience," she urged.