Brooklyn's Progress
April/May 2007

BY HAROLD EGELN

Sixteen years ago, Brooklyn entrepreneurial history was made when art collector Lurita “LB” Brown took her accumulated savings and opened Clinton Hill Simply Art and Framing Gallery at 583 Myrtle Avenue in Clinton Hill. It was the first African American, women-owned and operated, art and framing business in the city.

As Ms. Brown’s gallery grew from selling posters to original works of art and photography, she eventually established a reputation as a nationally known consumer expert on the buying habits of African American consumers who sought out her upscale, high-end ethnic art and frames. An even bigger boost for her business came in the 1990s when she landed a corporate account with Con Edison, providing art and framing services for their offices, plants and events.

With a growing business encompassing art sales and services, curatorial and corporate events, and a wide variety of custom framing services, Ms. Brown decided to branch out in 2004 with a second location, Clinton Hill Art Gallery, at 154A Vanderbilt Avenue in the Fort Greene/Clinton Hill area. It wasn’t long, however, before she sought out business guidance from the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce to aid in her expansion.

Ms. Brown, who joined the Chamber in 2005, said the Brooklyn Business Solutions Center provided much needed assistance, including directing her to the Small Business Administration to become certified as a Minority and Woman-Owned Business Enterprise.

"Thanks to the help of Rick Russo [director of the Brooklyn Business Solutions Center] and the Center staff, they helped me to better and more effectively direct my financial plan needs. Fred Graves [former Chamber financial director] guided me to just the right people for financing, which helped me greatly. It saved me time and extra work," said Ms. Brown.

Today, Clinton Hill Art Gallery features quarterly solo shows and a local community artists wall that encourages artists to display their work and seek sales on consignment.

"People here say that they like the idea of a neighborhood art gallery," said Ms. Brown, adding that her art show openings and exhibits attract many neighborhood people, as it did in March for The Winter Solo Arts Exhibit: "Interchange - Fusion of Ideas," which featured Mary Chang, a noted abstract expressionist painter and long-time resident of the Fort Greene/Clinton Hill area.

A Spring Solo Exhibit of Jimmy James Greene’s artwork will be featured at the Clinton Hill Art Gallery, April 21 to May 26.

Ms. Brown may be reached at Clinton Hill Art Gallery, 583 Myrtle Avenue, at 718-857-0074. Gallery hours are Wednesdays, Thursday and Fridays, 4:00 to 8:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 4:00 to 9:00 p.m.; and Sundays, 12:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Clinton Hill Simply Art and Framing Gallery, 154A Vanderbilt Avenue, 718-852-0227, is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.