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Sugar Shack by Ernie Barnes. Funeral Procession by Ellis Wilson, as seen on The Cosby Show.

Some forces were already at work while we were the opening credits for the four years the show aired. Te sitcom Te Cosby Show, which featured a middle- to art: factory worker, doctor, salesman, teacher, bus
fnding our way and building the business. Norman Additional original pieces were commissioned and class Black family, dominated prime-time television driver, lawyer, dishwasher, stock boy and cashier. Since

Lear’s creation of the Good Times TV show gave displayed on the show. Tis television story of the Evans from 1984 to 1992. Tis popular comedy promoted there were so few African-American art galleries, we
national prominence to the work of African-American family with their everyday trials and triumphs in the positive values. Black art was prominently displayed understood that education would be the key to the
artist Ernie Barnes. One of the show’s main characters, J.J. inner city seemingly impressed an audience of African- in nearly every room in the home. Tis had a great gallery’s long-term success. To educate and ultimately

Evans, played by Jimmy Walker, was cast as a gifted artist who Americans who seldom saw themselves or their issues impact. It established that Black art had value, and attract patrons, we could not allow barriers to disconnect
painted in the living room of his TV home. But, in fact, positively mirrored by national media. Te situation stimulated in viewers a desire to acquire it. Black art them from the art. We especially could not allow
California painter Ernie Barnes was the real artist. comedy tactfully and comically handled subjects such as sales grew exponentially as a result. Te Cosby Show exclusionary practices to limit the number of people
His famous painting, Sugar Shack, was featured on race, poverty and family. greatly enhanced our eforts to promote Black art in who were taught and included as patrons of the gallery.

our gallery.

From the beginning, our vision was that art should be
for everyone. We wanted everyone to feel a connection

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