Auction house emphasizes "artists of color"

Art Business News, May, 2005

BROOKLYN, NY -- The newly established Welancora Auction House has been started to exclusively offer decoratives, fine arts and collectibles by artists of African ancestry. The house announces its first auction--offering contemporary pieces--will be held on May 12.

"At Welancora, our mission is to change the landscape of a market that's based entirely on retail sales," says Ivy Nicole Jones, founder and principal auctioneer. "While over the past 20 years we've seen a rise in narrowly tailored exhibitions and art fairs that place an emphasis on artists of color, much more is needed to give this work the kind of international recognition it deserves. History has consistently shown that established auction results are one major way to make this happen."

Welancora's selling categories include 18th- and 19th-century art, contemporary and modern works, collectibles, furniture, decorative arts, photographs and prints.

For more information, call 718-919-0344; visit www.welancora.com.