The moment you hear her voice, you’ll instantly realize that you’re in the presence of a woman living in her purpose and on purpose, committed to unapologetically chasing it every day with an unbridled passion that can best be described as refreshing. She’s a natural, born for this, someone who always knew where she wanted to go and diligently did the work at home and abroad, in and out of the classroom, to get here.
If you’re an artist or art lover and you’ve been around the Dallas art scene for any length, hers is a name you’ve undoubtedly heard a time or two, probably more. If you’re a new arrival, get to know her because knowing her will make all the difference. Who is she? Who is this woman that artists and art lovers from one corner of the globe to the other revere and hold in such high esteem? She’s Dr. Valerie Gillespie, art curator extraordinaire, co-founder and owner with husband Emmanuel Gillespie of Pencil on Paper Art Gallery, Dallas’s premier art gallery.
A native of Dallas, her mission is simple: position her hometown as a world-class art destination, and she’ll stop at nothing to achieve this end. “In my mind, Dallas has just as much potential as Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, or any of the other major cities from an art perspective. We’ve just got to do the work, and I, for one, am ready,” says Dr. Gillespie, a graduate of the prestigious University of New England, where she holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. Along the way, she made stops at New York University, Randolph College, and Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, each playing a pivotal role in the growth of the champion of art the world sees standing before it today.
“Art is in my blood. It’s who I am, and I knew early on that wherever this life took me, art would be what got me there.” Art has always been in her DNA, and so has education, as evidenced by her current role as Director of Fine Arts at The Winston School, a small college preparatory school located in Dallas. “I always knew art was what I was put here to do, but within those walls, inside those classrooms, as I pour into those children, my place in life as it relates to art is affirmed in a different way, and seeing those students light up brings me a joy I can’t even put into words.”
Artists like Elyse Hradecky, Abi Salami, and Jessica Vollrath have all showcased their work at Pencil on Paper Gallery at various times. The gallery has also played home to the work of Demarcus McGaughey and the legendary Frank Frazier, among others. “Having artists of that caliber trust us with their works is an honor. I’m humbled as it’s a testament to the power of our brand and something I don’t take for granted.”
Speaking of honor, Pencil on Paper recently appeared at The Dallas Art Fair, one of the signature art events in the southwest region, as the first Black owned Dallas gallery to have a booth. “That was an amazing experience, to say the least. It allowed us to showcase the gallery and all we have to offer from an artist and consumer point of view. But more importantly, it gave the artists we represent an amazing platform to cultivate an audience while introducing art lovers from across the world to their immense talents.” Plans call for Pencil on Paper to become a staple at this and other events in the area, including The Main Street Arts Festival held annually in downtown Fort Worth where the gallery also made an appearance.
All artists are welcome at Pencil on Paper Gallery, but Dr. Gillespie has an affinity for Black art, a genre that has picked up momentum over the last decade. “We as Black people have only recently begun to embrace our beauty and one of the ways we’re doing it is through the incredible art that people of color are producing.” Dr. Gillespie threw out a litany of reasons why Black consumers are late to a party that other ethnicities have long been since been in attendance. “It could be a lack of exposure, awareness, an unwillingness to invest in a fine piece of art, or any number of things. But when the dust settles, my job is to encourage, educate, and empower them to be a part of the incredibly enriching experience of Black art.”
If you’re an artist looking to cultivate your gifts, or a collector seeking that signature piece to start or add to your collection, rest assured, Dr. Gillespie and Pencil on Paper are waiting to embrace you. Artist or collector, you’ll quickly realize she’s the one you’ve been looking for …
And all it’ll take … is “hello”.