African American-owned art gallery Blaqk House Collections in Pittsburgh vandalized
The windows in the front of Blaqk House Collections art gallery in Downtown Pittsburgh, including the front door, were shattered in the early morning hours Monday.
“I got a call at 3:30 a.m. that the alarm went off,” said Cynthia Kenderson, who co-owns the art gallery with Nicky Jo Dawson. “The door was open and the lights were on and the glass was shattered everywhere. The art was untouched.”
The gallery opened last month with a mission to “showcase artists of all races,” said Kenderson. It’s located at 440 First Ave., near Cherry Way.
Kenderson said she “won’t allow hate to win” and plans to take the shattered glass and make art from it. She also invited artists to create works on the wood until the door and windows are replaced.
“This was an interesting time to do this,” she said. “I believe it’s racially motivated. What saddens me the most is to see the glass shattered and know this person or persons beat the glass in some kind of rage — to have that kind of hate inside of you. This gallery is for everyone. “
She said she called her mom to tell her and said she was crying but not because she was sad but because she was overwhelmed by all of the good people out there.
“People have been calling and texting and bringing us food and asking what we need,” Kenderson said. “Pittsburgh is showing again that love is stronger than hate, this time for two African American women.”
Kenderson filed a report with Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Monday morning about the incident. The investigation is ongoing, police said.
Tanisha Long, 30, of Crafton helped the gallery clean up the mess. Long manages Black Lives Matter Pittsburgh and SW Pa., a Facebook page devoted to organizing rallies and creating dialogue.
“Blaqk House Collections remains a safe space for Black artists and creators in Pittsburgh to convene and share their art,” she wrote with an attached photo of the building being boarded up.
Long said the building was the only one in the area damaged.
“They left the artwork alone. So whoever did it just wanted to harm the people who own the building,” Long said. “We are getting everything cleaned up. Now it’s the rebuilding process — they’re just really hurt right now. But they’ll keep it going and keep the space open for other Black artists.”
Local artist Tom Mosser has four portraits from his “Big Faces” project displayed at the gallery.
“I am going to continue to honor people of color and diversity,” he said. “I plan to start painting another portrait today so we can outshine what this person or persons did. We will find beauty in those shards of glass. Beautiful plants grow from manure, you know.”
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