HOUSTON – The story of Black history can be found all around us.
Whether it’s seen worldwide, or right here in Houston, Black history can be found threaded into each culture.
This Black History Month, KPRC 2′s Moriah Ballard visited a hidden gem in Third Ward and sat down with the owner to talk about the connection between African art and the Black experience.
SEE ALSO: How did Black History Month come to be?
Owner and founder Lloyd Gite said that he created the Gite Gallery back in 2002 after his career as a reporter.
Gite says that after his first trip to Africa in 1976, he fell in love with the continent and the artists he discovered. When he began bringing art back to the States, he says some of his friends and family members fell in love and started purchasing the pieces.
Now, his network of buyers and artists has grown immensely.
Gite told Ballard that he has had the pleasure of providing pieces for major celebrities including T.C. Carson, Bill Duke, and even Beyonce’s mother, Tina Knowles-Lawson, who he said recently purchased some artwork for her son-in-law, Jay Z, and his mother.
Around the city of Houston, you can find pieces that have been donated by the gallery. The African art is currently on display at the Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, the Houston Zoo, the Ensemble Theater, and more.
Gite’s advice for upcoming art lovers? Practice.
And if you don’t have what he calls the ‘God-given talent,’ but still love art, Gite says you should study. Even if you don’t make it, the industry still needs buyers and collectors to keep the craft moving forward.
If you’re looking for something meaningful to do with your family around the Houston area in honor of Black History Month, visit the Gite Gallery located at 2024 Alabama Street Houston, TX 77004.