About Us

WHAT’S ON

Mission & History

Karen and Sharon Mackey are a fine art trifecta – collectors, dealers, and representatives for many of the artists they collect. The Saint Albans, Queens born identical twins bought their first fine art piece more than four decades ago, pooling their high school teacher salaries to purchase a James Denmark print.

They now represent Denmark, a friend and contemporary of Romare Bearden, Elizabeth Catlett and Jacob Lawrence. The Mackey Twins recognized that artists of color were not significantly represented or adequately supported within the broader community. This was the catalyst that led the twins to create The Mackey Twins Art Gallery in 2004.

The mission of the Gallery was clear to Karen and Sharon from the onset – to develop communities of collectors; saturate homes and businesses with fine art; educate, and teach non-collectors how to invest in collecting fine art.  That mission is one they have embedded in every aspect of the Gallery’s day to day operation.

Known for their integrity, customers often seek advice from the Mackey Twins before buying fine art from other dealers.

Featured artists are often in attendance at a Mackey Twins show, to offer added perspective on their works, much of it created specifically for the Mackey Twins event.

The Gallery is something they devote a great deal of their time to, but the sisters hold important jobs outside as well.  Karen is the Vice President of Government, Community, and Cultural Affairs at The City College of New York, and Sharon is the Executive Director of Continuing and Professional Studies, also at The City College of New York.

Their annual exhibition at Manhattan’s Interchurch Center recently celebrated its fourth year. The 2019 Interchurch exhibit, “Treasured Imagery,” featured work by Mackey Twins artists Denmark, Campbell, Xenobia Bailey (whose work adorns Manhattan’s newest subway station, at 34th Street and 11th Avenue), Ruth Miller, Charly Palmer, TWIN, Magno Laracuente, and Essud Fungcap.  They have also exhibited at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture and The Arsenal Gallery in Central Park.

We are 1 of 5 authorized Elizabeth Catlett art dealers.

Awards and Accomplishments

Mackey Twins Art Gallery has successfully curated influential tastemaker events:

  • The New York Times Harlem Fine Arts Show Preview
  • Metropolitan Transit Authority, at Port Authority, NYC-Tribute Exhibit
  • Master Artists James Denmark and Betty Blayton Exhibit at Mackey Twins Art Gallery
  • Faith, Courage & Purpose @ The Central Park Arsenal Gallery – featured artists included Charly Palmer and Essud Fungcap
  • The Harlem Stage Gatehouse Exhibit
  • Art’s Conscience @ The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
  • The Harlem Fine Arts Show @ The Riverside Church
  • Leroy Campbell – The Gullah Collection @ Mackey Twins Art Gallery
  • Internationally renowned artist Magno Laracuente Exhibit
  • Works from the Masters: Romare Bearden, Elizabeth Catlett, Jacob Lawrence and John Wilson
  • Key to the City of Mt. Vernon New York for Art Advocacy
  • National Conference of Artists Black History Makers Award
  • Leroy Campbell Exemplary Art Forum Award
  • 2015 Westchester County African American Advisory Board & county Board of Legislators Trailblazer Award
  • 2016 Westchester Magazine’s 914Inc. Women in Business Honoree

Affiliations & Supporters

  • Danny Simmons
  • Russell Goings
  • Byron and Sylvia Lewis
  • Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
  • The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce
  • WBLS-FM
  • Harlem Arts Alliance
  • New York City Department of Parks & Recreation
  • Ginny’s Supper Club
  • National Conference of Artists
  • Harlem Fine Arts Show Group
  • Westchester Black Bar Association
  • New Heritage Theater Group
  • Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium
  • Ethereal Jazz Quartet
  • The Westchester County Press
  • The Harlem Times
  • Black Enterprise
  • Dean Schomburg
  • Marilyn Blackstone
  • Dr. Anne Elliott
  • David Rockefeller Jr.
  • Dr. MaryLouise Patterson
  • Alexander Smalls
  • WAG Magazine

Celebrity Guests

Photos courtesy of Hubert Williams 2019

PROGRAMS

Past Event Programs