Art Biz: Establishing and Operating a Commercial Gallery

Anonda Bell is a New Jersey and New York based curator and artist. Born in Australia she has lived in the USA since 2005. She is currently the Director & Chief Curator of the Paul Robeson Galleries, at Express Newark, Rutgers University. Previous curatorial work in the not-for-profit sector includes work in New York at the Chelsea Art Museum and Snug Harbor Cultural Center, at the Everhart Museum of Fine Art, Science and Technology, in Scranton, Pennsylvania. In Australia she worked at the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne and Bendigo Art Gallery. Her education has been undertaken at Rutgers University in the USA, and in Australia at Monash University, University of Melbourne and RMIT University, Melbourne.

Laura Bonas Palmer is co-owner and curator of Akwaaba Gallery in Newark, NJ. With her husband, Ray Palmer, Laura has established a new focal point gallery that has featured both museum collected artist and up and coming artistic talent from around the world. “Akwaaba” which means “welcome” is a warm space that encourages color, concept and expressive artistry.

Throughout the year, Laura produces thematic exhibitions that speak a language of beauty, cultural relevance and artistic sensibilities that cross age barriers, genre and ultimately bring the artist and collector together.

Determined to be a part of building their community, Laura and Ray, both Caribbean immigrants, opened the first art gallery to the Newark West Ward. Akwaaba Gallery is a hidden Newark gem located in the historic Fairmount neighborhood and features diverse works of contemporary art. Akwaaba’s mission is to engage the community and public with exhibitions featuring emerging local, national and international artists.