Black Art History: Gallery Owner Nicola Vassell

As we wrap up our Black Art History month series, we meet Nicola Vassell, one of the only black female gallery owners in New York City. She opened her eponymous gallery in Chelsea in 2021. She came to the U.S from Jamaica at just 17 and worked her way up through the art world, working for big names like Pace, and has also helped curate The Dean Collection. We hear her story and what she has planned for 2023.

Correction: in the introduction to the segment, the host refers to Nicola Vassell as the first Black female gallery owner in Chelsea. We know of at least one other – June Jenkins-Johnson operated a gallery in Chelsea that closed 9 years ago.