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M. Hanks Gallery specializes in African American art. Since 1988 events at the gallery, including exhibitions, receptions, gallery talks and art appreciation classes, have helped to demystify art in general and increase awareness and understanding of African American art in particular. Named after his daughter Monika, M. Hanks Gallery is the brainchild of Eric Hanks. He established it to share his passion for African American art with the general public. He also wanted to combine his need to have his own business with his desire to provide a first-class location worthy enough for only the best artwork. "This is the best job I've ever had," Hanks says. "I feel lucky to have the opportunity to meet and work with some of the finest artists in the country and also with so many wonderful and enthusiastic collectors." Indeed, Hanks's gallery showcases 20th century paintings, sculpture, drawings and graphics by leading artists. For example, his gallery is the exclusive representative of the estates of Palmer Hayden and Walter Williams and of contemporary artists William Pajaud and Gary Eugene Jefferson. Other artists represented by the gallery include Elizabeth Catlett, Michael Massenburg and Phoebe Beasley. And they exhibit the works of Romare Bearden, Jacob Lawrence, Lois M. Jones, David C. Driskell, John Biggers, Sam Gilliam, Aaron Douglas, Henry Tanner and others. Once a year they hold an exhibition titled Masterpieces of African American Art: An African American Perspective. The reception is held during the weekend before the Martin Luther King holiday and raises funds for a variety of charitable causes. So far, over $100,000 has been raised. Previous hosts include Camille and Bill Cosby, Dale and Johnnie Cochran, Lonnie and Muhammad Ali, Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance, Clarence Williams III, Howard Bingham and Tavis Smiley. Sales of the artwork is brisk. "Over the last 16 years interest in African American art has grown dramatically," Hanks says. "Collectors of every description are discovering the richness and diversity of the work." M. Hanks Gallery, however, does more than exhibit and sell artwork. They are committed to educating the art collecting public. Currently, seven different art appreciation classes are offered. How to Collect Art teaches the basic guidelines and a systematic approach to collecting art. Understanding Prints explains the different types of prints, such as lithographs and serigraphs, and how to identify them. How to View Art I and How to View Art II sharpen the ability to see art by teaching the basic visual elements that go into any work of art. Appreciating Abstract Art teaches the various categories of abstract art and provides the tools necessary to judge quality. Subliminals in Art explores the depths of the unconscious mind to reveal things in paintings previously unseen. Finally, African American Art from the 17th Century to the Present provides an overview of this important segment of American art history, looking at the major periods of development and the outstanding artists of each period. Classes are held at the gallery annually in the fall and are taught in a non-threatening way using slides and actual artwork.