365 Days of Art: June 8 – Augusta Savage Opens Gallery

August Savage works on a bronze sculpture.
Augusta Savage, circa 1938, with some of her sculptures.

June 8, 1939

Augusta Savage opens an art gallery on 125th Street in Harlem called the Salon of Contemporary Negro Art. The opening reception is well-attended, with 500 people. It is noted that Black and white folks are in attendance. There is buzz surrounding this well-known artist. The unfortunate thing (it is said) is that residents of Harlem have no money for art, and people with money don’t want to come to Harlem. The gallery soon closes.