THELMA HARRIS GALLERY: AN ARTISTIC MELDING OF SOUTH AND WEST

Works by Karla Reid.

Thelma Harris Gallery has been an anchor in the Oakland community since 1992 and Pigment International had the pleasure of meeting them during a visit to the area.   Founded by Thelma Harris in 1987 and opened as a brick-and-mortar space in 1990, the gallery is celebrating 35 years of curating, championing, and mentoring some of the most important voices in Black art.

Originally from Monroe, Louisiana, Thelma began her academic journey at LSU as a pre-med student. But life had different plans. After moving to California in 1974, she balanced a corporate career — including time at Chevron’s product development team, where she met her future husband and business partner Terry — with her growing love for art and interior design. In 1987, that passion crystallized into a gallery that would become a cornerstone of the Bay Area art scene.

Today, Thelma and Terry Harris run the gallery as a labor of love — one that has become a nurturing home for both emerging and established artists. “The work has to resonate with me,” Thelma says, a principle that has shaped the gallery’s impeccable curatorial voice over decades. From the beginning, the couple often purchased artwork themselves, following an axiom they learned from fellow gallerist Bill Hodge: "Save the best work for yourself."

A HISTORY OF BLUE-CHIP EXCELLENCE

Works by John Broussard and Ashley Cole.

Thelma Harris Gallery has proudly represented an impressive roster of blue-chip and historically significant artists. Among them: Ernie Barnes, Charles White, Al Loving, Jonathan Green, William A. Dallas, Robert Bain, Joe Overstreet, and Michael Chukes. It is also one of the few galleries with long-standing ties to Ed Dwight — the trailblazing sculptor and America’s first Black astronaut candidate. Dwight’s presence in the gallery symbolizes its commitment to visionaries whose work spans both cultural and cosmic frontiers.

THE ARTISTS' GALLERY

Sculptures by Omar Thompson and Ed Dwight.

Current and recent exhibitions continue to reflect Thelma’s deeply personal curatorial style. The ongoing Distinctive Voices exhibition, extended through July, features work by Richard Mayhew and Ernie Barnes, drawing collectors and art lovers alike. Other notable artists currently on display include Wosene Worke Kosrof, Alonzo Davis, John Broussard, Ashley Cole, Karla Reid, and Oshun Williams.

A GATHERING PLACE FOR CULTURE

Terry and Thelma Harris. Work by artist Wosene Worke Kosrof.

The gallery's annual White Linen Nights — last held in 2021 — became a beloved summer tradition in Oakland, drawing artists, collectors, and community members together for an evening of art, fashion, and conversation.

Over the years, Thelma and Terry have mentored dozens of artists and gallerists, including Myrtis Bedolla of the renowned Galerie Myrtis in Baltimore. Their generosity and guidance have seeded a broader ecosystem of Black artistic enterprise and excellence.

ROOTS AND RESILIENCE

Work by Wosene Worke Kosrof.

Starting out with pop-ups in San Ramon and support from generous landlords, Thelma’s concept was modest: a six-week trial run. But it quickly evolved into a full-fledged mission. The current gallery space — graced by hardwood floors lit by sunlight from a nearby church, a poetic detail Thelma cherishes — has housed their operations since 1992.

Today, the gallery continues to thrive, its legacy intertwined with the lives and careers of countless artists. As Oakland evolves, Thelma Harris Gallery remains grounded in its founding principle: to represent art that tells a story, touches the soul, and stands the test of time.

For inquiries, exhibitions, or to witness this legacy firsthand, you can reach the gallery at thelmaharris.gallery@gmail.com.

GIFTED TO ME NOW PART OF WOODLAWN COMMUNITY 

Artist D. Lamar Preston during installation of his work Gifted to Me and with members of the Chicago Sculpture Exhibit (CSE).

On July 3, the Chicago Sculpture Exhibit (CSE) unveiled “Gifted to Me,” a striking new work by sculptor D. Lamar Preston, at the corner of 62nd Street and Stony Island Avenue in Chicago’s Woodlawn neighborhood. The installation, positioned in the shadow of the Obama Presidential Center, just outside of Hyde Park Academy High School, marks the latest addition to the 2025–2026 CSE Biennial Exhibit.

Preston, a rising voice in contemporary sculpture, is this year’s recipient of the prestigious Richard Hunt Award—a $10,000 prize established to support emerging and mid-career artists. Created in partnership with the late, legendary sculptor Richard Hunt, the award aims to uplift diverse voices and fresh perspectives in the world of large-scale public art. Through an introduction by Pigment International, Preston apprenticed with Hunt two years before his passing.

City officials, CSE representatives, and members of Alderman Desmon Yancy’s 5th Ward office joined Preston for the celebration. “Gifted to Me” reflects the artist’s personal exploration of heritage, community, and artistic inheritance. Its placement in Woodlawn—a neighborhood rich with cultural and historical resonance—amplifies its impact. The work will be on display for the next two years.  

Preston is a third generation artist, joining his mother Felicia Grant Preston, one of the founders of the all female collective Sapphire and Crystals, and his grandfather, James E. Grant Jr. in the practice.

CSE’s program continues to transform Chicago’s public spaces, bringing compelling, site-specific works to communities citywide, and is the third project unveiled in the city. With “Gifted to Me,” Preston is part a new chapter to that tradition.

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