About

  • Location

    Location

    104 W. Parrish Street

    Durham, North Carolina  27701

    USA

    +1 919 485 9602

    Gallery Hours: Wednesday–Saturday, 12PM–5PM and by appointment

  • About Ella West Gallery

    Ella West Gallery stands as a beacon of innovation and cultural significance in North Carolina's art scene, proudly recognized as the state’s only Black woman-owned gallery. Rooted in Durham’s historic Black Wall Street, the gallery embodies a pioneering spirit that honors both the legacy and future of art, creating a platform for underrepresented voices. Representing brilliant artists from the region, across the U.S., and abroad, Ella West Gallery seeks to redefine what is considered beautiful, brilliant, and deserving of recognition within the canon of art history.

    With deep ties to North Carolina, its founder draws inspiration from her ancestral roots, weaving a narrative that celebrates resilience, creativity, and community. The gallery curates exhibitions that transcend traditional boundaries, spotlighting works that explore themes of migration, identity, gender, and intergenerational traditions.

    This commitment to equity and artistic excellence establishes Ella West Gallery as both a cultural landmark and an innovator in the field, offering collectors and art enthusiasts works that resonate far beyond the canvas.

  • About the Founder, Linda Shropshire

    About the Founder

    Linda Shropshire

    Inspired by an early art education and an instructor who influenced the career of artist Ernie Barnes, Linda has spent decades as a collector and advocate for the arts. Born and raised in Charlotte, NC, she has called Durham home since 1993. She is on the Board of Trustees for the North Carolina Museum of Art and serves to steward the museum’s permanent collection as part of the art acquisition committee. As a member of the Black Trustee Alliance, Linda spends time in a national collective community of museum and gallery leaders, ensuring museums and institutions create more space for Black artists and those who are traditionally left out of the art history narrative. Linda studied at NC State University, UNC Chapel Hill, and the Sotheby’s Institute of Art. As a former leader for corporate social responsibility and human rights for a Fortune 100 company, she brings both a passion for art and business acumen to Ella West Gallery.