Jacqueline ‘Jac’ Forbes has operated the only Black and woman owned art gallery in Malibu, showcasing over 50 artists, ranging from established figures to emerging talents. Forbes is dedicated to fostering a gallery space that embraces a wide spectrum of cross-cultural voices, including Latinx, artists from the African diaspora, and Indigenous artists. Her mission has always centered on creating opportunities for those traditionally marginalized and overlooked in the art world.

Jac Forbes is not only a gallery owner but also a pioneer in breaking down barriers that have long stifled diversity in the arts. She actively promotes dialogue and interaction between artists and the community. In addition to her gallery work, Forbes serves as the co-founder and Managing Director of the Botho Art Collective, an artist-led art fair in Downtown Los Angeles that gained international acclaim following its launch in April 2022. Prior to this, in October 2021, she produced and curated a museum-scale exhibition of globally acclaimed South African artist Nelson Makamo’s first solo show in the US. In February 2023, Forbes expanded her influence into the Downtown Arts district by launching Jac Forbes Contemporary, marking another milestone in her career. As a global creative producer of transdisciplinary art experiences, Forbes is deeply committed to crafting public spaces that highlight and celebrate the African diaspora, Latin, Asian, Indigenous, and other underrepresented communities. Her goal is to use art to authentically convey the stories of our lives, fostering community engagement and thoughtful discourse.

Leveraging over two decades of experience in television production, Jac Forbes is eager to continue developing dynamic, interactive spaces and activations that advance her vision of inclusivity and representation in the art world.

‘As Stewards of Art, it is our obligation to enrich and enhance the overall Collective’

Jac Forbes Gallery is a dynamic Contemporary Art Gallery based in Malibu and Los Angeles, California.  Founded and curated by Jacqueline J. Forbes, the gallery exhibits an international assemblage of both emerging and established artists, whose work spans various disciplines and mediums.  JFC offers a unique curatorial approach, presented in a relaxed, contemporary design atmosphere. The Jac Forbes Contemporary takes pride in its commitment to representing an inclusive yet diverse array of cross-cultural voices within today’s contemporary art market.