Widely known for its representation of Haitian artwork, Nicole Gallery adheres to the "no man is an island" adage with work from more landlocked domains: it exhibits art from other parts of the Caribbean, Latin America, North America and Europe. The gallery also has one of the largest collections of Shona sculpture from Zimbabwe. These are primarily stone sculptures from 1957 onward, representative of a movement that began in that same year, which incorporated traditional carvings and stonework centered in the studios of Tom Bloemfield and Frank McEwan.

Nicole Gallery's collection is one that reflects the aesthetics and personal taste of the owner in an unusual way, though one that's reminiscent of the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum in Boston: very personal and intimate, but also worthy of serious collectors. Although the gallery has been at this location for 10 years, gallerist Nicole Smith has been collecting and dealing art for 20. Her commitment and dedication to the artwork and artists represented is evident.

Primarily showing the work of mid-career and established artists with international reputations, many of the artists are self-taught and much of the work is decorative, cheerful and flooded with bright colors. An example of this would be the work of Fritz Millevoix, a Chicago-based Haitian artist with an extensive following.

Artist Represented: Allen Stringfellow. Fritz Millevoix, Heza Barjon, Frank Louissant, Abiola Akintola, William Carter, Uma Hunwick, Henry Munyaradzi, Marva Jolly and Washington M. Sonza.

Centerstage Reviewer: Vanessa Meyer