About the Gallery
Founded in October 2009 by owner Curtiss Jacobs, the gallery originally operated under the name Renaissance Fine Art (RFA), serving as a tribute to his late father, the esteemed painter Joseph David Jacobs. Playing a pivotal role in its inception, curator Paula Coleman provided invaluable strategic guidance as the founding director.
In 2016, the gallery underwent a rebranding, adopting the name Curtiss Jacobs Gallery. Since then, it has showcased a diverse array of 21st-century artworks from emerging, mid-career, and established artists. The exhibited pieces span various mediums, including sculptures, paintings, drawings, multimedia, and photography, mostly influenced by the rich tapestry of the African Diaspora. Additionally, selected works offer compelling perspectives on contemporary global issues.
Throughout the year, the gallery hosts approximately eight exhibitions and has participated in major art fairs. Leveraging strategic partnerships with artists, organizations like Project Art, the Laundromat Project, Harlem School of the Arts and dedicated art enthusiasts, we aim to advocate for, promote, and provide enriching opportunities for both the Harlem community and the broader visual arts community.
Over the years, Curtiss Jacobs Gallery has served as a vibrant creative hub, featuring solo and group exhibitions by a diverse roster of artists. Notable names include the late Jack H. White, Diane Smith, Shaunte Gates, Moses Zibor, Jordan Baker Caldwell, Cedric Smith, Massimo Licata, Jay West, Dawn Okoro, Adama Delphine Fawundu, Tony Peralta, Massimo Licata and Ousmane Gueye. We have also had the privilege of hosting guest curators such as Deb Willis and Dr. Liz Andrews.
At Curtiss Jacobs Gallery, we believe in the transformative power of art to inspire and connect people. Our mission is to provide a platform for artists to share their unique visions with the world, fostering dialogue, understanding, and appreciation for the diverse expressions of human creativity.
The Founder - Cultural Entrepreneur
Curtiss Jacobs is the founder of Curtiss Jacobs Gallery, a Harlem-based contemporary art space established in 2009. Originally launched as Renaissance Fine Art, the gallery was created to foreground perspectives rooted in the global African diaspora while welcoming artists of all backgrounds whose work resonates with those narratives and expands the conversation around culture and social commentary.
Born in Savannah and raised in New York, Curtiss honed his craft under legendary photographer Richard Avedon and later assisted Annie Leibovitz before launching his own career as a fashion and celebrity photographer. His lens has captured icons such as Erykah Badu, Angela Bassett, Dionne Warwick, Common, Max Roach, and Boyz II Men amplifying Black excellence at the intersection of style, sound, and spirit among others.
Parallel to his creative journey, Curtiss built a 30-year corporate career, holding senior global leadership roles at AIG, Bank of America, and Citigroup. He also holds an MBA in International Business, a credential that informs the gallery’s global vision and operational discipline. He is the author of Demystifying Corporate America, a pragmatic guide to navigating leadership, power, and equity in today’s workplace.
An advocate for cultural legacy, Curtiss bridges the worlds of business, art, and community impact. He has served as Board Chair of World of Money, a leading financial-literacy nonprofit, and as a Board Member of ProjectArt, the nation’s largest free-tuition art school for kids. A former national board member of 100 Black Men of America and current advisor to the James Baldwin family, he is a sought-after speaker and mentor on legacy-building, career navigation, and cultural entrepreneurship.
Based in New York City, Curtiss remains committed to using his gallery and broader platform to honor cultural memory, expand access, and inspire the next generation of visionary thinkers and doers.