Gallery

Black Book Gallery is one of Denver’s most active contemporary art hubs, quickly establishing itself as a familiar stop to many local, national and international artists. Monthly shows exhibit emerging to established career artists based mostly in urban and DIY-influenced art, although Black Book Gallery also works as an outlet to include other contemporary styles as well.

Co-founders of Black Book Gallery, Tom Horne and Will Suitts are first and foremost art appreciators. Horne began curating art shows in 2007, when he organized “Run to the Hills,” featuring major New York street artists of the time: Bast, Aiko, Elbow Toe and Skewville. Continuing to curate shows and exposing Denver to a broader national art circuit, Horne received the opportunity to work with Yosi Sergant and Shepard Fairey while producing Manifest Hope during the 2008 Democratic National Convention. This was an unprecedented collaborative event for Denver and is widely recognized as a major catalyst in encouraging further local creative participation in and appreciation for urban art.

Suitts, meanwhile, comes from a foundation in formal art education. His main interest in this pursuit, however, was to apply his education toward the business side of art. With an education in web and media design, Suitts grew into helping artists market themselves through online representation. In 2009, Horne and Suitts started CMYK Projects, a fine art publishing house, meant to encourage a new collector base as well as allow greater access to fine art editions.

After a successful year in business, with the start of CMYK Projects, Suitts and Horne decided to advance by opening Black Book Gallery in June of 2010. Working closely with exhibiting artists and allowing for complete creative freedom during installation, Black Book Gallery demonstrates a clear respect and commitment to the creative process. Aesthetic and personal styles are recognized as intermingled. The artist is just as important as the artwork.

In addition to cultivating strong relationships with artists, Black Book Gallery is also passionate about helping individuals who are interested in expanding their collections. While working to open the experience of art to a broader audience and create access beyond institutional barriers, Black Book Gallery lends itself as a distinct platform for creative ideas and culture exchanges as well as local community development.