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The Storyteller’s Journey
My Journey in Art Collecting
Why Intentional Collecting is a Quiet Act of Resistance
November 2026 | 5 minute read
By Leslie Rivers, Founder of September Collective
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Personal reflections from the Nia Centre’s Black Art Fair
We often talk about art in terms of aesthetics - how a piece pulls a room together, fills a blank wall, or completes a space. But last weekend at the Nia Centre’s Black Art Fair in Toronto, sitting on a panel alongside Benny Bing, Daniella Williams, and Ronald Cummings for a session aptly titled “A Beginner’s Guide to Art Collecting,” our goal was to demystify the entire process.
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Collecting can often feel intimidating, closed-off, or reserved for an elite few. We gathered to strip away that intimidation, discuss the true meaning of stewardship, and talk about why the pieces in our personal collections matter.
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During our discussion, a central truth took shape, one that I have long advocated for.
Collecting isn’t about filling empty spaces - it’s about story, lineage, and stewardship. In a world driven by fast trends, intentional collecting is a quiet act of resistance. It asks us to shift from consumerism to stewardship.
When you choose to view art through this lens, your walls cease to be background decoration. They become an active archive of living history, values, and cultural memory.
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The Anatomy of a Personal Archive
Demystifying collecting starts with realizing that every collection begins with a single step. Over the years, I have collected works from many incredible artists, but a few milestone pieces stand out simply because of when they entered my life, marking pivotal shifts in how my relationship with art evolved:
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My First Art Piece: The Starting Point - Bare Interlude by Frank Morrison
When I bought this print for around $50, I wasn’t thinking about “building an art collection” - I was simply bringing home my very first piece of art, something meaningful, accessible, and beautifully done, that deeply resonated with me. I knew there was something special about buying a limited-edition print, even if I didn’t yet understand the economics or market mechanics behind it. Looking back, this purchase dismantled the myth that starting a collection requires a grand strategy or huge budget; it taught me that it all begins with genuine personal connection, and that you can start where you are.
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My First Piece from Nia Centre: Discovering the Black Art Fair - Fawahodie Woven Textile by Yung Yemi
This milestone came on the heels of attending Art Toronto with my partner, where we walked away without finding a single piece that resonated with us. Then we discovered the Nia Centre’s Black Art Fair. Stepping into a room brimming with so much incredible Black talent was a revelation - so much so that choosing was almost impossible. We ended up acquiring two pieces that year, including Yung Yemi’s Fawahodie, an 6.5" in x 5" textile, which became our very first acquisition from the Fair. It anchored our connection to local community spaces celebrating our culture.
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My First Commission: The Collaborative Journey - In Her Time by Kemi Sijuwade
After a private home art show showcasing incredible Nigerian artists popped up on my feed, we decided to check it out. The sheer depth of talent was an eye-opener. There was one particular piece I fell in love with, but it was already sold. After hearing the artist, Kemi , share the story behind the piece and seeing how deeply it impacted me, she suggested the option of our very first official commission - not to replicate the original, but to craft a parallel narrative where I had input into the creation. The journey was a profound privilege, and in the end, I had the honour of naming the piece “In Her Time”.
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From Aesthetic Joy to Cultural Stewardship
Decorative appeal and personal resonance are where every great collection begins - very few people bring art into their home simply for the sake of it. But when we pair aesthetic love with intention, collecting evolves into stewardship.
As stewards, our appreciation for beauty becomes an investment in the economic sustainability of living artists. It ensures that contemporary stories are preserved, documented, and passed down. We aren’t just decorating our homes with pieces we love; we are becoming custodians of culture, deciding which narratives get honoured, preserved, and remembered.
This stewardship also means actively championing young, up-and-coming talent. Finding artist Chisom Chiwete at the Nia Centre’s Black Art Fair underscored just how vital platforms like the Centre are for nurturing emerging creators. Her original piece, Shakara, was already sold by the time we discovered it, but our connection didn’t end there. She graciously agreed to work with me to produce prints of the piece, turning what could have been a missed acquisition into a meaningful relationship that supported her early career trajectory.
Whether you are contemplating your very first print or nurturing an established collection, remember that your choices carry weight. Every piece you bring home is a vote for the culture you want to see thrive.
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What Was Your First?
Every collector has a story about the piece that started it all - the artwork that shifted their perspective from looking to seeing.
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What was the first piece of art that truly moved you?
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Begin Your Collection
Explore canvas art and prints from artists across the African diaspora.
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