ABOUT – THE GALLERY
Ubuntu Fine Art Gallery opened September 5, 2021, at 5423 Germantown Avenue in Philadelphia. Founded with the Ubuntu-advised premise, the hood deserves nice shit. And the sociological notion that a freely accessible, dignified, and elevated art venue could fundamentally operate as civic infrastructure, akin to a library.
What makes Ubuntu Fine Art so unique in the art gallery market is its single artist, vertically integrated business model, where the artist owns the square footage, thus democratizing viewing wall space and the visitor experience. Direct interaction with the artist, his stories and contemplations, are shared communally through the practice of Openness to Encounter.
Drawing design and presentation inspiration from an encounter with Lik Fine Art Gallery, and the work of Peter Lik, Steven embarked on a journey of bringing the stories he's collected with his camera across 6 continents, multiple US National Parks, and his beloved Philadelphia, back, in a way of sharing with his community. In Francis Bacon's New Atlantis, this person is defined as a Merchant of Light.
Since opening, the gallery has welcomed 5000+ visitors, each contributing their own unique energy to the space. Has built vibrant institutional and community partnerships with notable organizations like The Colored Girls Museum, YEAH Philly, WHYY, and The Office of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy of the City of Philadelphia. All while operating as an intimate Third Space for letter-writing workshops for incarcerated youth, film screenings, poetry workshops, yoga classes, panel discussions, wedding receptions, birthday celebrations, civic fundraisers, and three consecutive years of the Mural Arts Philadelphia Fellowship for Black Artists annual exhibition.
Service Offerings:
The gallery is available for a range of engagements.
Space Rental: Ubuntu Fine Art has hosted exhibitions, receptions, screenings, workshops, panel discussions, portrait sessions, weddings, and private celebrations. The space is 1,300 square feet with museum-grade lighting, a professional sound system, and the work on the walls as the backdrop. Reach out through Connect.
Photography Consulting: Steven works with a small number of individuals and groups on their photographic practice each year. Individual and small group sessions. Reach out through Connect.
Curatorial Display Consulting: Guidance on exhibiting and sequencing photographic work in gallery and non-gallery settings. Reach out through Connect.
