Hearne Fine Art Gallery is a nationally-recognized gallery founded by Archie and Garbo Hearne in June 1988. It is situated in the center of Paul Laurence Dunbar School Neighborhood Historic District in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Garbo Hearne is the director of the gallery and her fascination with art started with her husband, Archie Hearne. Before getting married, Archie Hearne lived with a professional artist who taught him the importance of valuing and appreciating art. When they got married, Garbo took over the knowledge of art and she never looked back ever since then.
Hearne Fine Art strives to recognize and promote African-American art with a target to generate and sustain generational wealth. The gallery features local, regional and national artists.
Hearne Fine Art has gradually grown and evolved into a dynamic conduit for keeping and promoting African-American fine art. The gallery has surpassed market stagnation and a lot of difficulties since its humble start to make itself a pillar within its artistic community and the art world at large.
“Landscape unmasked”, is Hearne Fine Art’s current exhibit which runs September 20th through December 31st. It showcases landscapes from 19th century to today including works of influential artists Robert Duncanson, Edward Banister, Dean Mitchell and others like Arkansan Wade Hampton.
The exhibition’s purpose is to bring out a compilation of renowned and upcoming African-American landscape artists.
Kevin Cole, Pine Bluff native, is one of Hearne’s featured artists. His artwork contains fundamental theme of neckties as symbols of power and hope.
One of Cole’s art pieces is actually featured in the new National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC. Hearne was invited as a guest to the preview of this new Smithsonian due to her relation with Cole.
Another featured artist at Hearne Fine Art is Sylvester McKissick, a Little Rock artist. His signature style is African-American folk art. The art piece is part of a series on shotgun houses.
Apart from being a fine art dealer, Hearne is also an independent bookseller, a custom picture framer, and a certified art appraiser. Pyramid Art, Books and Custom Framing are situated in the same building as Hearne Fine Art. She has a wide selection of African-American authors with books for young children, teenagers and adults.
Hearne also has an auction house and sculpture garden next door.
Hearne often brings in artists and writers to the gallery for events on sites which include children’s story time.
Hearne Fine Art Gallery was featured in the book “100 Places to Do in Little Rock Before You Die” by Celia Anderson.
To arrive at the gallery you could possibly take the River Rail Electric Street Car.
Hearne Fine Art Gallery is a wonderful gallery and a must visit location in Little Rock, Arkansas. In the Youtube link below, Garbo Hearne is going to take you on a short tour through the gallery: