“We’ve been doing this for 21 years and I think we’ve done well, I just think we could do so much more,” said Robert Powell, founder of Portfolio Gallery and Education Center.
“I’ve spent 21 years trying to build it and it only got to where it is. And at 21 – when you compare it to a child – it’s time for the child to pay off.”
In a move that will be a shock to most, Powell is attempting to cash in on his efforts and pay it forward as an organization through the sale of his building – located in the heart of Grand Center, next to Powell Symphony Hall.
“We don’t know where we’re going, we don’t know how much money we are going to get, but we want $1.5 million,” Powell said. “This isn’t the end – it’s a chance to start a new chapter with x number of dollars.”
There was no distress in his voice as he talked about the hopes for a transition – nor an inkling of desperation. There was only the echo of possibility as he pondered what to do with the money he seemed confident the gallery would secure.
“We’re considering a foundation that will go out and raise money for the African-American visual arts and cultural institutions,” Powell said.
“We are growing into something else, and that something else is not so distant from what we already are. The only difference is we hope this will provide us with some funds to do some things that we want to do.”
His mind ran free with possibility as he discussed options for Portfolio – which will still exist regardless of what or where they decide to call home in the new chapter of the organization.
It was hard to believe how liberated he sounded from what will hopefully soon be Portfolio’s former life. This is a man who presented exhibits relentlessly and with the fervor of a grand opening for more than two decades all while instructing on pottery and painting.
“We will seek to continue to educate, enrich lives and foster awareness of African Americans in the visual arts,” Powell said. “Our mission won’t change – just how we do it. We’ll do it more heavily through the visual arts and the exhibition as opposed to teaching classes.”
Thousands of St. Louisans have been exposed to hundreds of visual artists thanks to Portfolio. But the reality is that the organization doesn’t make dollars, and to Powell it doesn’t make sense to hold onto a building that can create a revenue stream that will pump artistic wisdom back into the African-American community.
“What if in doing this we could go out and help others raise funds,” Powell said. “If we did that, all we would need is an office. And with x number of dollars we can hire a development officer who could help us raise money.”
The fullness of possibility bursting out of Powell will fill the spaces of the empty feeling of those saddened to know that building will no longer be a platform for artists of color to showcase their works.
“It’s just a house, it has no history on me,” Powell said. “It could have been anywhere. It’s a stepping stone that my creator has put in front of me. It’s like saying ‘Well, we are going to sell Grandma’s jewelry. That’s what she would want us to do.’”
He said “stepping stone,” but his decision to sell sounded more like a springboard – towards his goal of enlightening the community of the artistic richness that can be found all around and opportunity for artists to benefit from their gifts.
“I want to champion the visual artists and show these amazing African-American history capturers,” Powell said. “They are writing history with their drawings, paintings and sculptures. There’s a story there.”
He talked about all of the things that could be accomplished to offer aid to African and African American cultural institutions in the area from the funds he would secure from the sale of the gallery. But Powell was first to point out that he had to sell the building before he could do anything.
“FUBU, BET, Anheuser-Busch – they blew it up and they sold it. That’s the American Dream: to do it again, and let’s do it better. That’s where I am. I’m excited about the possibilities,” Powell said.
“Can we do this the same way we did for the next 21 years? We can’t do it. It doesn’t even make sense. We’re not going away. We just want to change our paradigm and do what we can – and do more.”
Portfolio Gallery is located at 3514 Delmar in Grand Center. For sale inquires, call (314) 533-3323.
