E&S Gallery Named Best Gallery Or Museum In Kentucky By American Art Awards

Thom Bierdz
5 min readMay 13, 2018

Each year the American Art Awards board selects the 25 Best Galleries And Museums In America.

HighlightHollywood.com reported in 2016: “The impressive AAA board chooses only one museum or gallery per state per year. Their selections are based on years established, industry reputation, online buzz, location, size, socially relevant exhibits, motivational and educational programs, represented artists as well as artist, client and visitor references.”

American Art Awards: “We consider thousands of the most established art venues from Alaska to Florida. This year we chose several museums and art centers with historical significance of 100+ years, some with over 100,000 annual visitors, some specializing in global acquisitions, some American treasures, others objects preserving their state’s legacy, and some celebrating one specific artist’s life work. We’ve also selected some of the most reputable art galleries; some which offer every style of international art, others exhibiting works from one region or one genre. A Native-American facility is included in our Top 25, as well as a longstanding women’s design institution, a popular Boston sculptor’s co-op, and a Hollywood Warhol hot spot.”

E&S Gallery won the distinction of Best Gallery Or Museum In Kentucky, 2018, and one of American Art Awards 25 Best American Galleries / Museums, 2018.

American Art Awards: “E&S Gallery is probably the most proficient American gallery representing African-American art. Their palatial three-story gallery elegantly exhibits an endless selection of important artists in many genres and mediums. Their reputation has continued to garner regional, national and international recognition for over thirty years.”

ABOUT THE GALLERY:

In 1989, E&S Gallery, Inc. was established in Louisville, KY by Walter Shannon, who operates the business with his wife and partner, Cathy Smith-Shannon. Over the course of 25+ years, E&S has grown from a 2,500 square foot strip mall location, to a more than 11,000 square foot gallery, custom framing and art publishing company. This stunning two-story gallery specializes in original and limited edition fine art graphics, prints, and sculpture by African American artists ranging from prominent old master like Elizabeth Catlett, Jacob Lawrence, and Richard Mayhew, to highly sought after contemporary masters like Dean Mitchell, Twin, and Charles Bibbs to hot up and comers like Walter Lobyn, Sherry Shine, and Tammie Demessie.

E&S clients list includes corporations like Brown & Williamson Corp., Pepsico, PNC Bank, the Tom Joyner Foundation and the National Urban League, as well as private collectors including Earl Graves, Ralph Johnson of Earth, Wind & Fire, singer/songwriter Kem, Angela Bassett, Bob Johnson, the late Dr. Donda West, Alonzo & Tracy Mourning, J.C. Watts, Yolanda Adams and many others. This beautiful downtown Louisville hotspot has been featured in national magazines such as Decor, Art Business News, Art Trends, Black Enterprise, and Southern Living Magazine. Recognized for professional national exhibitions, E&S has been the gallery of the Kentucky Derby Grand Gala, Tom Joyner Foundation’s Fantastic Voyage, The Capital Jazz Super Cruise, Black Enterprise Golf & Tennis Challenge, and the Odyssey Network Women’s Conference.

E&S provides collectors of African American art with an unmatched selection of artists, medium, subject matter, and genres. From the minute you enter the front door and step into the lobby adorned with stunning sculptures by Woodrow Nash and impressive wall size originals by Twin (Jerry & Terry Lynn), you know you’re about to have a unique experience. The grand staircase guides you to the 2nd level, a light, airy showroom and framing design center filled with original paintings, fine art graphics, and decorative art by the nations most popular African American artists.

The 3rd floor loft, not to be missed, houses a premiere selection of original graphics and sculpture by renowned old master artists like Catlett, Lawrence, and Wells alongside works by their award winning contemporaries including the critically acclaimed watercolors of Dean Mitchell and exquisite oil landscapes of Mason Archie. Owner’s Walter & Cathy Shannon take pride in sharing their gallery with seasoned art collectors as well as first time art buyers. E&S also participates in art shows, art auctions, and private fund raisers for clients and organizations all over the country.

E&S Gallery, Inc. / 108 South 10th Street / Louisville, Kentucky, 40202 / (502) 568–2005

www.EandSGallery.com

www.AmericanArtAwards.com annually awards 25 museums and galleries in Spring, and with their critique in Autumn, awards 300 artists (painters, photographers, sculptors and digital artists).

ALL 25 BEST GALLERIES AND MUSEUMS HERE: https://www.americanartawards.com/2018-best-american-galleries-and-museums/

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Thom Bierdz

One of Medium’s TOP ART CONTRIBUTORS, award-winning author, actor, film-maker, painter. 12 books: 6 on art. President of WAA & AAA & ACCA.