Malcolm Brown Gallery

For nearly three decades, the Malcolm Brown Gallery has expanded the depth and breadth of visual art appreciation and acquisition across the region and beyond. In the forefront of introducing new audiences, arts enthusiasts and private collectors to a broader spectrum of visual artists, the Malcolm Brown Gallery is the nation's oldest African American owned fine art gallery in the marketplace.

Since inception in 1980, the Malcolm Brown Gallery has presented fine art in all media with distinction and integrity. An ambitious schedule of museum quality exhibitions has heightened awareness and expanded cultural appeal. Most of the artists showcased made their Ohio debut at Malcolm Brown Gallery. Solo exhibits and appearances by artists of regional and national stature include Elizabeth Catlett, the late, celebrated Romare Bearden, Ed Dwight, Selma Burke, creator of the Roosevelt image on the dime, re-introducing Cleveland's native son, the late, Hughie Lee-Smith, after an absence of more than fifty years as well as many others of prominence. The gallery exhibitions have not gone unnoticed and have garnered national attention through CBS Sunday Morning, USA Today, ARTnews, Ebony, Black Enterprise and Essence as well as other print and electronic media including television, radio, newspapers and magazines regionally.

One of the premiere destinations in the Midwest for fine art at its best and broadest dimension, Malcolm Brown Gallery has a national reach and boasts proudly of serving a wide, diverse clientele – from those new to art acquisition to private collectors, corporations, museums, interior designers, etc. Dedicated to elevating visual art enlightenment and patronage, the gallery provides corporate and individual counsel to clients wanting to develop and/or enhance their collection. Proven performance has earned the Malcolm Brown Gallery a reputation for excellence in quality, integrity and service. Our strength lies in the demonstrated ability to satisfy a variety of visual arts needs for the vast audience served.

•Gallery namesake and co-owner with wife, Ernestine Turner Brown
•B.S. Virginia State University, M.A. Case Western Reserve University
•Award-winning watercolorist, internationally exhibited and collected
•Represented in corporate, public and private collections
•Member, the prestigious American Watercolor Society since 1973
•Charter Member, Ohio Watercolor Society

Malcolm Brown’s distinguished visual arts career of nearly four decades embodies award-winning watercolorist, Ohio art teacher of the year and co-owner of the gallery that bears his name. Virginia born, reared and educated, he earned a BS, Virginia State College and MA, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Ohio. Giving visual eloquence to his artistic soul, his colorful palette weds with ease abstract and figurative expression in watercolor and acrylic paintings of lush landscapes, seascapes and scenes inspired by travels across the United States, the isles of the Caribbean and beyond.

Regionally renowned, exhibited and collected nationally and internationally, Brown’s passion to paint has been a life long commitment. Versatile in expression, his visual eloquence has earned him awards, honors and commissions as well as elected membership in the prestigious American Watercolor Society (founded in the late 1790s, national membership of 500, elects 10 painters annually) in 1973. His work is represented in major corporate and private collections including the Cleveland Museum of Art and has received worldwide recognition through the films Waiting to Exhale, Finding Fish and the Art & Embassies Program of the U.S. Sate Department.

Art critics reviews on his gifted and creative style have said: “Malcolm Brown: Both a gallery and a painter par excellence. He is a master of understatement throughout, capturing place, mood and essence with colorful spontaneity in sonnets of light and form.” Another penned, “Brown’s work is radiant and direct, choreographed with grace and energy.” “We are fortunate to be able to share in his artistic treasures.” It continues, “in his best abstractions the colors work well.” “And, as in the watercolors, the abstractions show that the artist has a lively sense of touch.” “Brown is a dancer with a brush.”

Ernestine Turner Brown, Gallery Director

Since 1980, Ernestine Turner Brown, a former business teacher, gallery co-owner and director has contributed significantly to the cultural vitality of greater Cleveland and beyond. In the vanguard of heightening cultural enrichment, the Youngstown, Ohio native has been a major player in advancing the depth and breadth of appreciation for diversity in the visual arts across the mix of cultures. As collections both public and private move toward being more inclusive, collectors, as well as those aspiring to purchase art seek her counsel on acquisition. Brown has active membership in a host of organizations and demonstrated commitment to “make a difference” has greatly enriched and expanded the visual arts landscape.