Serengeti Gallery — Attraction in Summerfield

When you're an emerging and literally starving artist it is easy to fall prey to the ills and evils of a shady, shoddy, poor art gallery owner. This is true when it comes to my tale. This is to warn future artists to avoid this place like the plague. No gallery owner should ever tell an artist not to produce work out of "fear of oversaturating the market." I first met Wesson West, owner of the Sereneti Gallery when googling BLACK GALLERIES in MD. The usual happened I sent my portfolio and then we had a schedule studio visit. Wesson West appeared promptly and was able to view my most recent works and even works that were still in progress. Upon viewing my works Wesson noticed that I was a radical artist, whose "Art reflects the current atmosphere." These were his words. I asked Wesson before the visit ended, "If I was a great fit for his gallery?" And upon him saying, "Yes" I told him I want to be in the history books and that nothing was geauxing to stop me as, "I am tenacious." Wesson West then stated to me to bring my work to his gallery 7 pieces of his choice and then 1 of mine. That following saturday I showed up with 8 unframed works as I was told, "Do not worry about framing as I will frame the works to my likings. No need to worry, your job is to paint. This is what a business partnership looks like." Wesson showed me around his Art hoarding headquaters, showed me the wall where my art will geaux. I asked Wesson again, "Am I a good fit for your gallery?" Wesson responded, "Yes of course." No contracts, no agreement forms, just a handshake. However, my initial observation of his gallery was one that was cluttered and filled with a vast array of originals that dated back to the 60s. RED FLAG. This monstrosity of 4,000 sq ft was not a gallery, in fact it was a make shift cave of art hoarding. As months went by Wesson West was slow to communicate with me about patron viewing my work. I literally was living off my art at the time. I secured another 2 galleries: 1 in the deep south and the other in the same state as Serengeti Gallery. As I am extremely new to the art world, I blindly told Wesson that I do not know the art business. I had no idea Wesson would take advantage of a black man who only wanted to make art so he could be a legend of his time. I grew tired of contacting Wesson asking about the update of a show, only to get the response: "Covid has his hands tied" or "I am not receiving a lot of traffic, so there were no eyes to view your work John." I had to ask Wesson about a piece, "Men of Bronze: Harlem Hellfighters." Wesson took a piece which I told him was my favorite and placed it in inventory. When I asked him why wasnt this piece on the floor as he stated all my work would be shown, he retorted,"John I have 7 other works on the floor to be seen, and if you want to take your work, you can." On that note I did just that. I secured my 3rd and final gallery at the time. This securing of a gallery would be the wedge drove between our partnership. Wesson West let a customer come between us over pricing, one which I had no control over, as I am an emerging artist and the prices have to reflect market for new artists, so I let the galleries determined that. Wesson West was livid with me. Since he felt liked l betrayed him, he wouldnt promote my art at all. He even started holding off payments from me after I was working with another gallery in the same state. Wesson actually believed in his inept art dealer/gallery head that artists should not have more than one gallery in the same state to represent an artist. After speaking with numerous veteran artists they told honestly, that "this person sounds like a fraud and it would behoove me to remove my property from his gallery." I was selling everywhere but his gallery, mind you the other two galleries wanted literally the work which is in his "gallery." He has blocked my number and I had to fight for payments for the 5 prints I embellished, and to get my work back. I even had to fight get my money and art back. Stay away from this owner...

I am thoroughly pleased and amazed after workmanship the Mastery for quality of the framing I received for my artwork. I went into Serengeti Art Gallery with beautiful pictures from Kevin Williams that I wanted it framed because they deserve a beautiful frame. I thought a frame was just a frame at the time, just make it happen. However the lesson that I received from Serengeti Art Gallery owner was that a frame and so much more and lessons on art through this process was priceless. I am grateful and appreciative beyond words.

I recommend Serengeti art gallery to be your framing source if you need something framed I recommend you to go to this black owned framing art gallery to have the work done well. I give Sergenti my highest recommendation, highest.

I am absolutely pleased, that the art I love are in frames I love.

Due to my indecisiveness this project took longer than possibly most of their clients, however the art gallery owner and his family were patient, professional, respectful, and kind.

The Serengeti family are a group of amazing people more than I love this gallery , I now have love the owner, his daughter, his beautiful wife. The entire family exude what black family should be made of. Simply watching them interact with one another is inspiring.

If I need something else framed I choose Serengeti. 2 Thumbs up, 5 Stars...

One day years ago, I wandered in for the beautiful art -at Capital Boulevard. During frequent visits to the Boulevard, Serengeti visits was always a favorite stop. One day, I heard they were moving. Before dismay could set in, I learned they were moving even closer to my neighborhood -the Central Avenue site. They give great service of preserving personal artwork and I've enjoyed being a student in a few of the classes offered at 'Serengeti' where the learning is fun as well as informative. I love all the meet and greets offered, too. With every visit I've learned what a treasure Serengeti Gallery is to the community. My children and I enjoy our visits and I'll be over soon with my grandchildren! I recommend the gallery to others and have been pleasantly surprised to see friends and acquaintances exhibit the fruits of their talent. Thank you, Serengeti Gallery! ...