Akwaaba Gallery Fundraiser

My name is Laura Bonas Palmer. My husband, Ray Palmer and I are the co-owners of Akwaaba Gallery in Newark, New Jersey. Akwaaba Gallery opened on February 15, 2019. We are the only Black owned Commercial gallery in the City of Newark.  Over the last two years Akwaaba has becomed the art hub of the West Ward and an art destination in City of Newark. Akwaaba is not just a gallery, it's the heart of our community and a welcoming place where art lovers and artists can feel at home. We believe that artists need an outlet to sell their work and should be able to make sustainable living doing so. We have been that outlet, showcasing local, national and international emerging and established artist.

My husband and I are passionate about creating and building a stronger community in the City we call home. We love Newark and the community where our gallery is located. My husband and I invested the initial capital needed to open Akwaaba. The gallery is opened 5 days a week, from 10:00 a.m to 6:00 p.m. The gallery derives its income from the sale of art and the rental of the space for events. We do not have employees and I am responsible for all the day to day operations of the gallery.

As a result of the pandemic, we were closed from March 16, through July 27, 2020. We were closed again from November 25, through December 4, 2020 (City of Newark Lockdown).  Due to the closures and capacity restrictions, we had to cancel five(5) Exhibitions and all our event rentals. In addition, we have been unable to rent the space for events for almost a year. Like many small minority owned businesses, we were unable to qualify for the PPP loan, unemployment and most art grants (were are not a non-profit).

Financially we can no longer afford to sustain the gallery on our own and that's why we're asking for your help to save Akwaaba. Your donation will allow to remain open and continue to elevate the arts in an underserved community.