LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Lurita Brown for 20 years of successful
ownership of the Clinton Hill Simply Art and Framing Gallery

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those organiza-
tions and individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare of the
community and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Lurita Brown for 20 years of successful ownership of the Clinton Hill
Simply Art and Framing Gallery; and
WHEREAS, Known as New York City's oldest independently owned African-
American custom and specialty picture framing gallery, Clinton Hill
Simply Art and Framing Gallery (CHSAFG) is celebrating its 20th anniver-
sary; and
WHEREAS, Lurita "L.B." Brown has been a constant in a rapidly changing
neighborhood since 1991 when she first opened her business, CHSAFG; now
in her 20th year, she is a symbol of how a small business can withstand
the challenging test of time; and
WHEREAS, Lurita Brown has the only small business in the area that
still exists; all of her contemporary merchants, who entered the neigh-
borhood with a specialty, are gone; in October 2012, the gallery will
celebrate its 20th year of serving the Brooklyn neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, Lurita Brown has managed to constantly reinvent her business
with each mountain of a challenge, enabling her to be acclaimed not only
locally, but also nationally; prior to CHSAFG, she was working as a
successful advertising executive for EBONY MAGAZINE, but she always had
a passion for collecting African art; and
WHEREAS, As the African-American middle class began to grow in the
late 1980s, Lurita Brown believed that reproductions of artwork from
African-American artists would soon be in high demand; she would soon
encounter the problem that reproductions could not be found anywhere;
and
WHEREAS, Lurita Brown found out that many of the artists were self-
publishing their works because, at the time, art publishers were not
interested in publishing African, Latin, Caribbean and Native American
art; she then decided to open the business; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, Lurita Brown had many challenges and obsta-
cles but always overcame them; she began by selling only reproductions
of artwork in prints and posters, and attracted clients from all
boroughs and neighboring states; the framing was only a complimentary
service at the time, but over the years it grew to be at the core of her
business; and
WHEREAS, In the next few years, Lurita Brown wants to get into some-
thing new, evolving her business and her skills even more; she plans to
host talks, workshops and demonstrations with hints, tips and insider
secrets on the business to everyone from artists to collectors; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the
recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Lurita Brown for 20 years of successful ownership of the Clinton
Hill Simply Art and Framing Gallery; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Lurita Brown.