Biography

rubyRuby Singleton Blakeney offers a highly customized personal Art consulting service and Virtual d’Art Gallery specializing in the evaluation, acquisition and sale of fine Art for the novice to experienced Art collector.

Ruby’s early involvement with the sale of Art began with the Trans Art Corporation where she was trained as an Art sales and decorating consultant.  There, she spent five years working hands-on with clients and gaining considerable knowledge and experience in the Art and art-consulting world.


Ruby then started a home-based Art sales and consulting company,  J2R Associates, in 1980.  Her personalized service, and broad knowledge of fine Art, keen eye for design and color and a reputation for Art selection among her growing client book, led her to opening the Ruby Blakeney Gallery at the Historic Savage Mill in Savage, Maryland, in 1991. With four sales associates and a seven-day-a-week operation, the Ruby Blakeney Gallery flourished.

The collection exhibited in Ruby’s Gallery at Historic Savage Mill captured the interest of many Maryland and regional Art investors and for strategic location and client accommodation, was moved to the busy historic seaport area of Annapolis, Maryland, host of the world’s oldest and most prestigious annual in-water showing of sailing and power yachts.

 Her 40 plus years career as a professional Art dealer was enhanced by her world travels and sensitivity to the economic and cultural importance of Art.  Her business strategy targeted to astute individual and corporate collectors, investors and all lovers of Art with a variety of Art preferences has led to her success.

Ruby is also a retired City of Annapolis Official, appointed by former Mayor Ellen Moyer. She was responsible for the recruitment, development, and nurturing of over 4000 small businesses located within the city.  

Prior to her Art sales & consulting business and being a city official, Ruby held management positions at TRW Credit Data, in its New York and Maryland branch offices.  She also worked as a wardrobe consultant for Nordstrom and as a modeling consultant for English Sportswear, Inc. New York, NY;  account executive for ASAP Temporary Staffing Services on Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.; Co-owner of Zzaj Gallery, Harlem N.Y.;  and marketing and public relations manager for the Eastport Clipper, Annapolis, Md. 

Ruby was born in Sumter, South Carolina, the youngest of eight children and has lived in the Maryland area for over 40 years.  She has one daughter, Jodi Rae Blakeney Cottrell.

In addition to her successful Art Consulting Business, Ruby still finds time to consult on decorating and wardrobe, small business initiatives, event planning, and heading her nonprofit, Life After Divorce Foundation https://www.lifeafterdivorce.foundation/about/.

Honors/Recognition (partial list)

  • NAACP, Annapolis. Maryland, Business Person of the Year
  • Capital Newspaper, Annapolis, Maryland, Volunteer of the Week,
  • Annapolitan Magazine’s, People to Watch Article
  • City of Annapolis, Maryland, African American Business Award, 
  • Congressman Elijah Cummings, speaker pro tempore for fine Art installation in the Lowe House Office Building. First time fine Art installed in a speakers office

Community Service (partial list)

  • Leadership Anne Arundel Flagship19 (Class of 2019)
  • County Executive Steuart Pittman Transition Team, Educated Communities Committee, focused on the evaluation, assessment, and recommendations on the Arts
  • Maryland Live Lobbying Campaign
  • Kunta Kinte Foundation, Advisory Board Member
  • Kunta Kinte Celebrations Inc., Member Board of Directors
  • Annapolis Boys and Girls Club, Annapolis, Maryland, Founder/Board Member
  • Mayor of Annapolis, Maryland, Salute to Bertina Nick- Chairperson
  • Annapolis Jaycees, Inc., Outstanding Young, Annapolitan, Committee
  • Kunta Kinte Foundation, Board Member
  • Anne Arundel County Commission on Culture and the Arts, Commissioner, 2 terms
  • Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, Board Member, Served as Vice President, Member Outreach Committee
  • Boy Scouts of America, Good Scout Award-Chairperson

Special Events & Marketing (partial list)

  • Blo Blow Dry Bar, Annapolis, MD:  Marketing and Grand Opening Celebration
  • Created the Kunta Kinte Leadership Awards Luncheon, Awardees to include: Dr. Ben Carson, Neurosurgeon,  Earl Graves, Black Enterprise Magazine, and Dr. Lesley King Hammond, Dean of Graduate Studies, Maryland Institute College of the Arts
  • Kunta Kinte Festival Chairwoman attracted thousands of patrons from around the globe 1989 - 2011
  • First City of Annapolis Small Business Symposium planned and implemented
  • Planned and implemented Mungo Family Reunion, 60,000 budget for 150 patrons, Brooklyn, New York
  • Planned and implemented grand opening of the Ruby Blakeney Gallery grand opening at Historic Savage Mill
  • Planned and implemented the Alvin Ailey Dance Company visit and performance in Annapolis
  • Planned and implemented the City of Annapolis New Year’s Eve Celebration 2011, over 40, 000 patrons
  • Planned and implemented the 10thAnniversary of the World Trade Center Bombing Commemoration, City of Annapolis
  • Director of Marketing for book, The Heart of a Hero: Lt. Clarence Singleton, FDNY 2 time survivor of the World Trade Center Bombings, Author
  • Marketing and Talent Booking for the Eastport Clipper, Annapolis, MD