ORIGIN + HISTORY

ZuCot Gallery was founded in 2009 by Troy Taylor, a Fortune 500 corporate executive who developed a passion for collecting art during his global travels. With encouragement from some of the artists whose work he collected, he purchased a dirt floor commercial space in the eclectic Castleberry Hill section of Atlanta and transformed it into the brightly light, chic, and contemporary space that it is today.

ZuCot was the nickname given to his paternal grandmother, Frances Ann Taylor. Mrs. Taylor was born in the late 1800’s on the British colony of Saint Christopher (now St. Kitts). She was one of the first women allowed to own a stall in the local produce market. In order to survive the fierce competition with her male counterparts, she developed the reputation of being “as tough as a ZOO CAT”. Her vocabulary and demeanor allowed her to mix it up with the best of them. As the family migrated to America, they softened the name and refer to her as ZuCot. “The name of the gallery (ZuCot) is a tribute to the pioneers and giants whose shoulders we stand on. Without knowing where you came from, it is difficult to know where you are going” says Taylor.

In 2011, Mr. Taylor attended an art show produced by Mr. Onaje and Mr. Omari Henderson, owners of Premier Art. Premier Art, was initially started in 1993 by Aaron F. Henderson with the express purpose of selling and marketing his work. In 2002, Henderson’s sons Omari and Onaje, who are both graduates from Tuskegee University, took on the task of managing their father’s art career. After a short time, noticing a need in the industry, the Henderson Brothers ventured out to work with other African-American artists and eventually developed a roster of talented mid-career artists. Without a brick and mortar space, they rent out gallery spaces in the Atlanta Area to host pop up exhibitions. Noticing a need for education the public on collecting fine art, the brothers created their signature event, The Art Tasting which is designed to cut down the intimidation factors that keep so many people out of galleries. It also armed attendees with the tools to understand the what and why behind collecting work.

In 2012, Mr. Taylor partnered with the Henderson’s and rebranded ZuCot Gallery as a gallery that primarily focuses on the works of living African American Artists. The trio became known as the “The Art Brothers” and adopted the philosophy that “…What you hang on your walls is a reflection of you. It is a window into your soul, your character, and your beliefs.” ZuCot Gallery has grown to become the largest African American Fine Arts Gallery in the southeastern United States. ZuCot represents artists from all over the country and possesses a client list from high school teachers to corporate CEOs. The gallery has hosted events for congressmen, senators, supreme courts justices, mayors, professional organizations, Fortune 500 companies, student field trips and an occasional birthday, anniversary, or wedding bash. ZuCot Gallery has developed a reputation for not only being a fine arts gallery, but a place where like-minded Individuals gather, network, and connect through the world of art.

COME. SEE. COLLECT.

/ZOO-KHAT/