How to better showcase Kansas City Black art? This woman brings it to where people shop
Brian Roberts fills the shelves and tables of his midtown Black Pantry shop with Black-owned brands — books, wines, skin creams, candles and more.
He wanted to do the same for the bare walls.
“I wanted to create a sustainable marketplace for Black goods and to give the opportunity for those who want to support Black businesses and buy Black,” said Roberts, who opened the brick-and-mortar store at 325 E. 31st St. in 2021.
He came across the Natasha Ria Art Gallery and its owner, Natasha El-Scari. She told him about her partnership, Black Space Black Art, which pairs local businesses and Black artists to showcase and sell their works.
“It has been great to add to the aesthetic of the shop. It is usually the first thing (customers) notice when they walk in,” Roberts said.
El-Scari works at the University of Missouri-Kansas City as the director of the Women’s Center and at the Kansas City Art Institute teaching African American experience through literature.
“I started Black Space Black Art with the purpose of shining a light on Black artists and Black art in Kansas City,” said El-Scari. “I felt like Black art was something that African Americans were missing that they didn’t know was missing, to see a reflection of their culture and their beauty in their homes and their lives.”
Starting in 2017 with barber and beauty shops, El-Scari and her collective branched out to over 40 minority-owned businesses. in the KC area. The gallery earns a commission on any sale of the works.
In 2018 she opened her gallery at 1014 W. 39th St., sharing a space with the Center for Spiritual Living Church. She set out to create a place where Black art could be on display and sold year-round.
“I am really dedicated to Black people extending their own spaces in art and I want to see them receive more awards and residencies,” she said.
Artist Vivian Bluett had her first showing at the Natasha Ria Gallery and, through Black Space Black Art, her work has been displayed and sold in various businesses, including the Black Pantry. Bluett thinks the collective opens doors for new artists.
“That is where I got my confidence,” said Bluett. “Having the opportunity to show my work in a space, build community, network and that might not have happened if you had shown on your own.”
Bluett began to dive into her artistic inclinations in 2017 after being laid off. Self-taught, she developed a style that many, upon first sight, would describe as whimsical depictions of children’s paintings. However, Bluett, 40, says her style has deep cultural meanings.
“I make art based around social justice, having a conversation with the art about what we are teaching our children and what is the narrative we are leaving with them,” she said.
Today, Bluett works as the instructor for The Village KC nonprofit’s youth art program, teaching lessons learned through Black Space Black Art.
“I think the beauty in Black Space Black Art and Natasha Ria is to educate the artists who don’t know and might not have a chance,” said Bluett. “The support in our community is getting a lot better, and seeing Black art becoming the norm when you go into one of our establishments is a great feeling as an artist.”
Roberts of Black Pantry hopes more local Black businesses will introduce their customers to Black art.
“It is great because we can elevate the walls and the space and give it some cultural cues, but to also recognize that we can work together and use our businesses to bring art to our community,” says Roberts. “But it is going to take us working together in larger capacities on larger stages to help.”
For more information on Black Space Black Art and partnering businesses visit natasharia.com/natasha-ria-art-gallery.
