Vallejo’s Ethnic Notions showcases the creativity of people of color

VALLEJO — In 1996, Rozalind Sinnamon-Johnson was tired of crossing the Carquinez bridge every time she wanted to buy books for her kids that presented people of color. She decided to open a bookstore herself. 

“I thought if I was tired of crossing the bridge, other people would be tired too, so I opened Ethnic Notions,” Sinnamon-Johnson said.

Initially she sold only multicultural books, but from time to time she would bring an art piece. Seeing that the public was receptive, she expanded the business to include a fine art gallery.

Ethnic Notions, located on 930 Marin St. in downtown Vallejo, offers a wide array of multicultural books, from fiction for kids, young adults and adults to fine art and cookbooks. The gallery exhibits Black and brown local, national, and international artists. 

“It’s very difficult for new artists to get into a gallery,” Sinnamon-Johnson said. “People who are talented, who are trying to make a statement about what’s happening in their community, in their life, in their family, in this country, in the world, need venues to show their art, to express how they’re really feeling, so I try to give them that.” She also advises emerging young artists on how to establish their careers.

With 29 years in business, Ethnic Notions is well known. Artists typically reach out directly to Sinnamon-Johnson if they want to be represented. “People ask me, ‘What’s a good Ethnic Notions piece?’ And I always tell them: ‘It’s a good art piece,’” she said. “I never interfere with an artist’s creative genius.”  

Only once she sought a particular artist, when she traveled to Jamaica in search of Gene Hendricks Pearson. “He was the national artist of Jamaica and his sculptures were phenomenal,” Sinnamon-Johnson explained. “I found him in his home in St. Andrews, and we had a wonderful business relationship until he passed away a few years ago.”

One of the challenges Sinnamon-Johnson encounters is that schools don’t present U.S. history accurately. Black and brown histories are overlooked, so kids don’t learn to appreciate the contributions of people of color. She tries to bridge this gap. 

“I do believe that every ethnicity that is represented here has contributed to the beauty and the growth of this nation, and they deserve to be included, they deserve to have their stories told,” she said. “And everyone, not just that specific ethnicity, needs to know their story, because that breaks down bigotry, racism, exclusivity and the feeling that there is only one America.”

Sinnamon-Johnson has many loyal customers who have purchased art and books from her for years. The bulk of her clientele comes from the East Bay, but some come from as far as Sacramento, Santa Clara, and Elk Grove.

She emphasizes great customer service. The gallery opens Thursday through Saturday from 12-5 p.m., but the other four days you can visit it by appointment. “If you make that appointment, I’m here and the gallery is yours,” Sinnamon-Johnson said. “I’ll make you a cup of tea, I’ll let you browse, and we’ll make a wonderful association.”

She also welcomes field trips from school kids. If they are little, she gives them a snack and reads them a story.

Sinnamon-Johnson prepared a special program this February to celebrate Black History Month. The gallery’s current exhibit, which includes seven artists and will last until March 22, had its artist reception on Saturday. This exhibit is part of the 28th annual Art of the African Diaspora organized by the Richmond Art Center, which exhibits over 150 artists of African descent in several galleries.

On Feb. 15^, Ethnic Notions will show the movie BOOM for real, which tells the story of Jean-Michel Basquiat and the art scene in New York City during the late 1970s. And on Feb. 22, it will show the film Paris is Burning, an LGTBQIA classic chronicling the ball culture of New York City and the African American, Latino, gay, and transgender communities involved in it. All the events take place between 1-3 p.m. and are free.

But Ethnic Notions celebrates the creativity of people of color every day, not only in February. 

“Solano County needs a business like this, especially since we are so diverse,” Sinnamon-Johnson said. “We need businesses that show that diversity, and unfortunately, there are not many.”