Larry Robertson opened WIT Gallery in Columbus, Ohio, in spring 2021 after years of activism, touring with bands, and a background in design. The gallery was born from Robertson's desire to create a space for Black and Brown artists to learn the business of art, sell their work, and build community. WIT Gallery will celebrate its five-year anniversary on June 12 with a group exhibition featuring artists such as Cameron Granger, Alek Shabazz, and Ian N. Njau, along with live music.
The milestone matters because WIT Gallery represents a grassroots effort to address systemic inequities in the art world by providing resources, infrastructure, and visibility for underrepresented artists in Columbus. Robertson's journey from protest marches to gallery ownership highlights how local art spaces can foster community healing and economic empowerment. The anniversary underscores the gallery's sustained impact in a city where police killings of Black youth motivated its founding.