Art of the Collectors XI

February 21 – April 18, 2026

preview artwork

Galerie Myrtis celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2026, marking two decades of championing artists, advancing cultural dialogue, and building community through art. Founded in 2006 in Washington, DC, and relocated to Baltimore, Maryland, in 2008, Galerie Myrtis has since become a vital cultural anchor in the city—recognized for its unwavering commitment to artistic excellence, cultural stewardship, and amplifying African American and African Diaspora voices.

To commemorate this milestone, the gallery will present a year-long series of exhibitions and public programs that reflect its enduring mission.

The anniversary year launches with Art of the Collectors XI, a curated exhibition highlighting exceptional works by African American and African Diasporic artists, spanning emerging talents to celebrated masters. The exhibition includes multi-media works from the estates of James Hill and Helen Jackson, among others, all available for purchase. A dedicated virtual viewing room will offer a rare opportunity to acquire works from the collections of renowned arts patron Arthur Lewis, alongside other noted collectors.

Together, these programs celebrate Galerie Myrtis’s legacy as a space where art, history, and community converge—and where collecting is understood as an act of generosity, stewardship, and connection across generations.

April Bey, Can't Fake Humble

Upcoming Events

Saturday, February 21
Soft Opening
2:00 – 6:00 pm

Guests are invited to visit the gallery on the opening day of Art of the Collectors XI. Please note, although we are not conducting an opening reception with refreshments, all are welcome to visit the gallery during normal business hours from 2:00 – 6:00 pm to view the exhibition. No registration is required.

Saturday, February 28
Art and Legacy
2:00 – 4:00 pm

On February 28, 2026 (2:00 – 4:00 pm), Galerie Myrtis will host Art and Legacy, an intimate panel discussion exploring art collecting as an intergenerational practice. The panel features members of Dr. Myrtis Bedolla’s family—April Bedolla, Christopher Bedolla, Alex Hyman, and Jenell Steele—who will reflect on how Dr. Bedolla’s role as both matriarch and gallerist shaped the family’s shared passion for collecting. Moderated by Ky Vassor, Assistant Director, the conversation examines collecting as an act of preservation, care, and cultural continuity.

Portraits of the Bedolla-Hyman and Steele Families; Photographer: Ryan Stevenson, 2019

Saturday, March 14
Special Edition of Tea with Myrtis
Changamiré: A Tribute to Billie Holiday

2:00 – 5:00 pm
Purchase Your Ticket: $40
Seating is limited
A special anniversary edition of Tea with Myrtis, Changamiré: A Tribute to Billie Holiday, will take place on Saturday, March 14, 2026, from 2:00 to 5:00 pm. This curated listening salon features an intimate dialogue between acclaimed jazz vocalist Changamiré and Dr. Myrtis Bedolla, accompanied by vinyl selections from Seeking Billie: The Unusual Tribute to Billie Holiday. The program will also premiere Project 44, a new video series that connects Billie Holiday’s enduring legacy to the lived experiences of contemporary Black women. The LP will be available for purchase during the event.

Seeking Billie: The Unusual Tribute to Billie Holiday (album cover & headshot of Changamiré). Images courtesy of the artist and Sonning Records.

Saturday, April 18
Collecting: An Unruly Passion
2:00 – 4:00 pm

Anniversary programming continues on April 18, 2026, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm, with Collecting: An Unruly Passion, a dynamic panel discussion featuring collectors who will reflect on the motivations behind their collecting practices and the critical role that lending artworks to museums plays in expanding public access, advancing education, and ensuring cultural preservation. Panelists will include Darryl and Leslye Fraser; Gregg J Justice III; and Bill and Paula Mitchell, with Dr. Myrtis Bedolla as moderator.
Free
RSVP required (limited seating)
RSVP details to be announced

artwork: April Bey, Can’t Fake Humble Just ‘Cause Yo Ass is Insecure, 2021
Digitally woven taspestry, metallic cord, glitter (currency), hand-sewing, epoxy resin on wood panel, 48 x 36”; Courtesy the Arthur Lewis Collection