The Sold Firm — located on 8th and Tatnall Streets in the heart of downtown Wilmington — is an intimate contemporary gallery focusing on the curation of emerging artists of several genres and styles who may be unable to exhibit in larger institutions.
Owner and gallerist Nataki Oliver has kept strong to that mission since opening in 2019, while also hosting broader community events and arts-based workforce development opportunities for Wilmington youth. Recently, Oliver was proud to make the below announcement:
"Many teens have come through the gallery as assistants. The journey finding one dedicated to learning smarter who also 'breathes' the arts was the goal. I knew one day the 'Wright' person would walk in and own their place in The Sold Firm Art Gallery.
I am extremely excited to announce that teen is Nia Rae Wright! Nia Rae has been working hard for a year at the gallery. She is more than I expected but exactly what the gallery needs. The most fitting opportunity for Nia Rae is taking the lead as a paid 2025 Guest Curator.
Nia Rae is currently planning the fist exhibit coming in February 2025. The exhibit will exclusively feature selected visual artists over the age of 60 years old. I will be behind her to make sure she has the support to deliver her vision. Please congratulate Nia Rae on being amazing!"
Wright is a 17-year-old junior at Cab Calloway School of the Arts, majoring in Visual Arts and Theatre (Acting). She says that as much as she enjoys her work as a guest curator at the Sold Firm, she doesn't really see herself pursuing gallery managing or owning as a career.
"I started [with The Sold Firm] last November to collect volunteer hours for my school's National Arts Honors Society," Wright says. "but it ended up going beyond that and now I’m [Nataki's] intern/assistant."
Her favorite aspect of the job is definitely the opening night of exhibits and getting to see people come in and look at the art and discuss it with others.
So, with this experience on her resumé, does Wright have any advice for emerging or aspiring artists? "Whatever it is you want to do just go for it," she says, "whether that’s getting your art into a gallery or experimenting with a new medium!"
Delaware Arts Info wishes Nia all the best in her exciting new chapter and thanks The Sold Firm for providing opportunities like this for Wilmington youth to experience and become involved in the arts!
CLICK HERE to see Nia Wright in action at the gallery...