This networking event / panel discussion(s) taking place during Miami Art Week is not to be missed.. Join us as we discuss the state of the art market, black art, innovative programs, and business models which have been put in place to support underrepresented artists, and talk go various collectors about what they have been collecting and artists about what they have been up to.

Artnet news just released their report which reported that "ultra-contemporary artists (those born in 1975 or later) resold within three years of their completion, total auction sales rose from $22.8 million in 2012 to $257.4 million in 2021." This is monumental considering the uptick in mainstream collector acquisitions of underrepresented artists, and the fact that this growth has outpaced the S&P 500 by 800 percent over the same decade. Resale gains of art are continuing to rise, therefore this opens up opportunities for new business models to protect artists and hold their buyers accountable. The art market is changing for sure, and artists of the African Diaspora are making major waves. Most importantly, institutions are finally diversifying leaders at the top, and the black collectors are supporting artists that aren't on the radar screens of most gallerists. Join us for these buzzy conversations, its time to align on all levels!

Panel #1 4:30 PM - 5:15 PM What's Happening in the World of Art?
This panel discussion highlights activities that have been taking place in the market and highlights auction house activities, flipping, galleries making an impact on a global level, and disruption in the space that protect collectors and increase revenues for mainstream players.

Ashara Ekundayo (SF / Oakland / Detroit / Cape Town) - independent curator, visual maker, cultural theologian - Founder ArtistAs First Responder

Paul Henderson (SF) - legal expert, political analyst (MSNBC, CNN, Fox News), art collector, cultural competency consultant (MoAD 2021, Artbasel 2021, FOG Design = Art2022, Frieze 2022, Christie's 2022)

June Smith (NYC / New Jersey) - art institution executive director, accounting
(PricewaterhouseCoopers) and publishing (Simon and Schuster), and education program architect (New York Department of Education)

Jewell Sparks (Berlin, Germany) - global innovation expert, investor, collector, philanthropist, "Raising the BAAR" Podcast Series


Panel #2 5:30 PM - 6:15 PM New Business Models and Programs in Support of Underrepresented Artists

This panel talks about various platforms both digital and dialog that are building awareness of underrepresented artists across the globe. What are the challenges and what are the wins? Why are these platforms needed introducing mainstream art players to Black art and artists needed?


Jewell Sparks (Berlin) - BiTHOUSE Projects Fund - BAAR Art Journey, UNITED17 Ventures

Will Hatcher (Palm Beach) - Comedian, Social Entrepreneur, and Author, Blerd Factory

Sol Aponte (Los Angeles) - Award Winning Producer, art | Melanated

Dan Swartz (Fort Wayne) - Executive Director, Wunderkammer Company

Malina Simone Jeffers (Indianapolis) - GANGGANG

Panel #3 Collectors X Institutions  x Artists- The Black Art List, Who's Hot Right Now?

This chat talks to collectors, curators and artists about the state of Black art collecting and acquisitions by institutions. Panelists also discuss artists that are hot right now and how they got started.

Moderated by:

Jewell Sparks (BiTHOUSE Projects Fund - BAAR Art Journey)

Adrian Fletcher - Fletcher Collection

Ato Wright - The Wright Collection

Chanel Verdult (Los Angeles) - Unicorn DAO

Jennia Aponte ( Los Angeles) - Artist, Curator, Award Winning Writer, Director Curator

Cory Ford (Jersey City) - Artist, BAAR ART Journey Participant

Adana Tillman (Atlanta) - Artist, BAAR ART Journey Participant

Danielle Scott (Jersey City) - Artist