3 letters to David Nellis, collector, from Stanton Macdonald-Wright, 1971-1972. Macdonald-Wright encloses a sketch of the repainting of "Yoku O Hi" which had been scratched, describes his new home in Hawaii, and explains his feelings about the selling price of his work. Also included is a letter to Mallory Freeman, director of the gallery, from Thomas Hart Benton, 1974, regarding 2 Macdonald-Wright paintings owned by Benton.
Biographical / Historical:
Art gallery; Santa Monica, California.
Provenance:
Donated by Mallory Freeman, director of Tortue Gallery, 1978.
Restrictions:
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center. Microfilmed materials must be consulted on microfilm. Contact Reference Services for more information.
The records of Dorothy Goldeen Gallery, based in Southern California, measure 16.2 linear feet and 2.52 GB and date from 1960 to circa 2014, with the bulk of the items dating from 1987 to 1996. The Dorothy Goldeen Gallery, operated from 1986-1996 and featured the work of prominent contemporary artists, such as Magdalena Abakanowicz, John Altoon, Fletcher Benton, Howard Ben Tre, Ciel Bergman, Squeak Carnwatch, Dale Chihuly, Duck-Hyun Cho, Roy De Forest, Heidi Fasnacht, Robert Hudson, Terence La Noue, Donald Lipski, Nam June Paik, Ed Paschke, Alan Rath, Zizi Raymond, Pablo Reinoso, among many others. The collection includes correspondence, scattered administration records, exhibition files, extensive artists' files that also include many video recordings, financial and legal records, printed and digital materials, and photographic materials.
Scope and Contents:
The records of Dorothy Goldeen Gallery, based in Southern California, measure 16.2 linear feet and 2.52 GB and date from 1960 to circa 2014, with the bulk of the items dating from 1987 to 1996. The Dorothy Goldeen Gallery, operated from 1986-1996 and featured the work of prominent contemporary artists, such as Magdalena Abakanowicz, John Altoon, Fletcher Benton, Howard Ben Tre, Ciel Bergman, Squeak Carnwatch, Dale Chihuly, Duck-Hyun Cho, Roy De Forest, Heidi Fasnacht, Robert Hudson, Terence La Noue, Donald Lipski, Nam June Paik, Ed Paschke, Alan Rath, Zizi Raymond, Pablo Reinoso, among many others. The collection includes correspondence, scattered administration records, exhibition files, extensive artists' files that also include many video recordings, financial and legal records, printed and digital materials, and photographic materials.
Correspondence is with artists, museums, galleries, and collectors regarding exhibitions, sales, and acquisitions of artwork. Administration records include appraisals, mailing lists, materials related to gallery events, a rolodex, and a list of artist contracts. Exhibition files are found for only a few of the gallery's exhibitions, including American Artists in Jewelry (1987), Private Reserve (1988), Fresh Visions 1 (1989), Fresh Visions 2 (1989), and Multiple Parts (1994).
There are extensive artists' files containing correspondence, printed and digital material, resumes, slides, and photographs documenting the gallery's relationship with and exhibitions of many prominent artists. These files also contain numerous audio and video recordings of interviews with artists, exhibitions, documentaries, and video art.
Financial and legal records mostly consist of sales records of artwork by various artists, in addition to materials on a lawsuit, a sublease for exhibition space, and a few invoices.
Printed materials include Dorothy Goldeen Gallery press releases, exhibition announcements, press reviews, newsletters, clippings, and one videocassette of a broadcast news program.
Photographic materials mostly consist of slides and transparencies of artwork by artists represented by the gallery. There are a few images of the gallery building.
Arrangement:
This collection is arranged as 7 series.
Series 1: Correspondence, 1979-2012 (1.1 linear feet; Box 1-2)
Series 2: Administration Records, circa 1987-circa 2010 (0.6 linear feet; Box 2)
Series 3: Exhibition Files, 1987-1995 (0.4 linear feet; Boxes 2-3)
Series 4: Artists' Files, 1961-2007 (12.1 linear feet; Boxes 3-14, OV 17-18, 2.52 GB; ER01-ER02)
Series 5: Financial and Legal Records, 1987-2005 (0.8 linear feet; Box 15)
Series 6: Printed Material, 1986-2014 (0.4 linear feet; Boxes 15-16)
Series 7: Photographic Material, 1960-2005 (0.8 linear feet; Box 16)
Biographical / Historical:
The Dorothy Goldeen Gallery (1987-1996) was an art gallery in Santa Monica, California, founded by Dorothy Goldeen.
Dorothy Goldeen graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, where she studied sculpture and textile design. In 1973, Goldeen began her career in the arts working in San Francisco, California at the Hansen Fuller Gallery which later became Fuller Goldeen Gallery.
In 1987, Goldeen moved to Los Angeles and founded the Dorothy Goldeen Gallery. Historically significant artists such as Magdalena Abakanowicz and Nam June Paik were represented by her gallery as well as influential, emerging Los Angeles artists. Other notable artists include Robert Arneson, Paul Kos, Ed Paschke, and Alan Rath.
In 1996, Goldeen closed her gallery and launched the Dorothy Goldeen Art Advisory in Santa Monica. Goldeen often travels internationally as an art consultant for private and institutional clients, advising them on the acquisition and resale of art.
Related Materials:
The Archives of American Art also has an oral history interview with Dorothy Goldeen conducted by Hunter Drohojowska-Philp in 2014.
Provenance:
The Dorothy Goldeen Gallery records were donated by Dorothy Goldeen to the Archives of American Art in 2 installments in 2003 and 2014.
Restrictions:
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C. Research Center. Contact Reference Services for more information. Use of archival audiovisual recordings with no duplicate access copy requires advance notice.
Permission to publish, quote or reproduce all correspondence must be obtained from Dorothy Goldeen.
Rights:
The Dorothy Goldeen Gallery Records are owned by the Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution. Literary rights as possessed by the donor have been dedicated to public use for research, study, and scholarship. The collection is subject to all copyright laws. Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce any correspondence must be obtained from Dorothy Goldeen.
Topic:
Art galleries, Commercial -- California -- Santa Monica Search this
Gallery correspondence, invoices, consignment forms, loan agreements, guest books, artists' files, clippings, exhibition announcements, and press releases. Among the artists' represented are Bob Alderette, John Davis, Christel Dillbohner,Seiji Kunishima, Norman Lundin, Ann Page, Rachel Rosenthal (includes a video), Norman Schwab, Olga Seem, Tom Stanton, Masami Teraoka, and many others.
Biographical / Historical:
Contemporary art gallery; Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, Calif. Est. 1975. Closed 1995.
Provenance:
Donated 1995 by gallery owner Edward Den Lau.
Restrictions:
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center. Contact Reference Services for more information.
Letters; notes and writings; financial and legal records; printed material; artists' files; and photographs of the ThomasLewallen Gallery and its predecessor, Morgan Thomas Gallery.
Letters consist of seven business letters regarding financial matters. Among the notes and writings is a photocopy of "Dreams" by Jon Borofsky. Legal and financial records include partnership papers, ledgers, bank statements and deposit receipts, and tax returns. Printed material includes clippings, press releases and exhibition announcements. Artist and subject files contain letters, printed material, and photographs on Richard Artschwager, Michael Asher, David Askevold, Alice Aycock, John Baldessari, Jon Borofsky, Daniel Buren, Byars-Open America, Vija Celmins, Foundation for Art Resources, Peter Frank, Jack Goldstein, Dan Graham, Raul Guerrero, Gary Hall, James Hayward, Douglas Huebler, Janis Kounellis, William Leavitt, Richard Nonas, Allen Ruppersberg, Ilene Segalove, Shelton Film Series, and Rick Stich. Photographs include photographs of works of art and slides of the gallery staff and art works.
Biographical / Historical:
Art gallery; Santa Monica, California. The gallery was originally called Morgan Thomas Gallery and was owned by Morgan Thomas. In 1977 Constance Lewallen became an equal partner and the gallery became ThomasLewallen Gallery.
Provenance:
Donated 1981 and 1983 by Morgan Thomas and Constance Lewallen, owners of the gallery.
Restrictions:
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center. Microfilmed materials must be consulted on microfilm. Contact Reference Services for more information.
The records of Los Angeles Art Space gallery measure 13 linear feet and date from 1971 to 1992. The majority of the collection consists of the gallery's exhibition files which contain correspondence, clippings, exhibition catalogs and announcements, slides, photos, invoices, price lists, loan records, and other materials. There is also correspondence with artists and organizations, financial and administrative records, and slides of artwork and exhibitions.
Scope and Contents:
The records of Los Angeles Art Space gallery measure 13 linear feet and date from 1971 to 1992. The majority of the collection consists of the gallery's exhibition files which contain correspondence, clippings, exhibition catalogs and announcements, slides, photos, invoices, price lists, loan records, and other materials. There is also correspondence with artists and organizations, financial and administrative records, and slides of artwork and exhibitions.
Most of the correspondence in the collection is from artists regarding exhibition opportunities, with other galleries and organizations about sales and collaborative exhibits and event, including with the 18th Street Gallery, the Constitutional Rights Foundation, Texas Commerce Bank, Venice Family Clinic regarding the Venice Art Walk, and The Works Gallery.
About two-thirds of the collection consists of extensive exhibition records for individual and group shows held at Art Space. Contents of files vary but may include correspondence, exhibition announcements and programs, price lists, sales records, loan agreements and other legal forms, artist resumes and statements, photographs and slides of artwork and exhibition installations, and other printed material. Particularly rich files exist for artists Marta Chaffee, David Hines, Walter Gabrielson, Janice Lowry, Lorraine Lubner, Robert Lubner, Kent Rush, Mary Schairer, Marg Starbuck, Robert Tomlinson, and Clark Walding.
Scattered financial and administrative files document the gallery's business dealings, and include price lists, a cost sharing agreement form, an inventory, business correspondence, invoices, and financial statements. Additionally, a substantial number of slides in this collection include images of artwork and of exhibitions held at Art Space. Artists Shigeo Miura and Tracy Colvill have particularly sizeable slide files. Most of the artists with slides are also represented in the exhibition files.
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged as 4 series.
Series 1: Correspondence, circa 1977-1991 (Box 1; 0.8 linear feet)
Series 2: Exhibition Files, 1972-1992 (Boxes 1-11; 9.45 linear feet)
Series 3: Financial and Administrative Records, circa 1977-1991 (Box 11; 0.35 linear feet)
Series 4: Slides, 1971-1992 (Boxes 11-13; 2.4 linear feet)
Biographical / Historical:
The Art Space gallery operated in Los Angeles from 1977 to 1991 and was owned by artist, philanthropist, and activist Lucy Adelman (1909-2007). Settling in Los Angeles in 1938, Adelman was also one of the founders of the Womanspace Gallery, a cooperative gallery for feminist activities established in 1972 in Los Angeles.
Located at 10550 Santa Monica Boulevard, Art Space's first show honored the work of women artists. Specializing in contemporary art, the gallery, according to Adelman, had two purposes: "[Art Space] is for artists, creative people who communicate through many different fields of expression...It will also be a meeting place for people who wish to acquaint themselves with different concepts and directions." The gallery held 118 exhibitions before closing its doors in 1991.
Adelman and her husband, Isadore, were involved in other activities and gave generously to the American Civil Liberties Union and the Venice Family Clinic, which honored them at its annual fund-raising Art Walk Festival in 1988. Lucy Adelman died in 1997.
Provenance:
The records were donated in 1992 by Lucy Adelman, the director of Art Space.
Restrictions:
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C. Research Center. Contact Reference Services for more information.
Rights:
The Art Space records are owned by the Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution. Literary rights as possessed by the donor have been dedicated to public use for research, study, and scholarship. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
Occupation:
Artists -- California -- Los Angeles -- Exhibitions Search this
Topic:
Art galleries, Commercial -- California -- Los Angeles Search this
Art, Modern -- 20th century -- California -- Los Angeles Search this
Genre/Form:
Slides (photographs)
Photographs
Citation:
Art Space records, 1971-1992. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Sponsor:
Funding for the processing of this collection was provided by the Smithsonian Collections Care and Preservation Fund.
Artists' files including biographical information, slides, reviews; exhibition files; a scrapbook (unbound); slides and photographs of works of art and exhibition installations; works of art; printed material including posters; and financial material regarding the Rosamund Felsen Gallery.
Among the artists are Alicia Beach, Meg Cranston, Richard Jackson, Kaz Oshiro, John Boskovich, Jeff Gambill, Robert Rauschenberg, William Wegman, Ann Thorny Craft, Raymond Pettibon, Jeffrey Vallance, Mitchell Syrop, Mac James, Stephen Bush, Ali Acerol, Marnie Weber, Keith Sklar, Leland Rice, Steve Rogers, Greg Brown, Robert Ackerman, Dan Burkhart, Oliver Andrews, Ron Cooper, Guy Dill, James Hayward, Billy Al Bengston, Erika Rothenberg, Peter Lodato, Keith Sonnier, Tom Knechtel, Paul McCarthy, Jim Shaw, Maria Nordman, Kori Newkirk, Laura Owens, Al Ruppersberg, Ilya Kabakov, Alexis Smith, Roy Dowell, Lari Pittman, Guy de Cointet, Cisco Jiménez, Glenn Kaino, John Miller, Chris Burden, Mike Kelley, Heidi Kidon and others.
Biographical / Historical:
The Rosamund Felsen Gallery (established 1978) is an art gallery in Santa Monica, California that focuses on the art community in Los Angeles, California.
Provenance:
Donated 2014- 2016 by the Rosamund Felsen Gallery via Rosamund Felsen, gallery founder and owner.
Restrictions:
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center.
Function:
Art galleries, Commercial -- California -- Santa Monica
The records of the Nicholas Wilder Gallery of Los Angeles measure 2.4 linear feet and date from 1944 through 1984, with the bulk of materials dating from 1968-1979. Scattered documentation of the contemporary art gallery's fourteen years of operation include artists' inventory cards, photographic transparencies, letters and correspondence, invitations, notes, business and financial documents, and printed materials.
Scope and Content Note:
The records of the Nicholas Wilder Gallery of Los Angeles measure 2.4 linear feet and date from 1944 through 1984, with the bulk of materials dating from 1968 to 1979. Scattered documentation of the contemporary art gallery's fourteen years of operation include artists' inventory cards (the bulk of the collection), photographic transparencies, letters and correspondence, invitations, notes, business and financial documents, and printed materials.
The majority of records date from the period after the gallery moved to La Cienega Boulevard to Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles, California. Very few records pertaining to specific exhibitions or openings are included in this collection. However, there is one exhibition catalog and scattered gallery invitations which were used as scrap paper. Other materials include business records that contain financial materials and notes. Printed Materials contain popular newspapers and magazines that reflect Wilder's interests, invitations to other galleries, auction catalogs, and business cards. Correspondence includes scattered gallery correspondence, Wilder's personal correspondence and documents, and holiday cards.
The bulk of the collection consists of artist files which include inventory cards and transparencies of works of art. Information on the inventory cards and transparencies may specify: date of creation, date of accession, potential collectors, purchase records, and titles. Notable artists include: Joe Goode, Tom Holland, Robert Graham, Billy Al Bengston, Cy Twombly, Ken Price, Ed Moses, Ron Davis, John McCracken, Kenneth Noland, Helen Frankenthaler, Jules Olitski, Agnes Martin, Edward Avedisian, John Altoon, Richard Yokomi, Sam Francis, Bruce Nauman, Hans Hofmann, and David Hockney. The majority of inventory cards reflect business at the gallery in the mid-late 1970s.
Financial records originating from the James Corcoran Gallery are included in this collection. The relationship between the two establishments is unclear although it seems that the James Corcoran Gallery moved into the space previously occupied by the Nicholas Wilder Gallery.
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged into four series:
Series 1: Business Records, 1968-1978, 1980-1984, circa 1970s (Box 1; 5 folders)
Series 2: Correspondence, 1974-1981, circa 1970s (Box 1; 4 folders)
Series 3: Printed Material, 1976-1980, circa 1970s (Box 1; 9 folders)
Series 4: Artist Files, 1944-1984, circa 1960s-1970s (Box 1-3; 2 linear feet)
Historical Note:
In April 1965, Nicholas Wilder (1937-1989) founded his contemporary art gallery at 814 North La Cienega Boulevard in Los Angeles, California. His interest in art started at Amherst College where he worked for the art department as a slide technician. While in graduate school at Stanford University, he worked at the Lanyon Gallery in Palo Alto, California. An initial offer of financial backing to open a gallery inspired a move to Los Angeles. Although that offer fell through, Wilder remained determined. In late 1964, Wilder sold shares of his future gallery to friends in order to secure funds. He bought the shares back shortly after opening.
The Nicholas Wilder Gallery's first show featured Edward Avedisian. The gallery expanded and featured artists from New York and California, including: Joe Goode, John McCracken, Kenneth Noland, Helen Frankenthaler, Jules Olitski, Cy Twombly, Ed Moses, Ken Price, Agnes Martin, John Altoon, Sam Francis, Billy Al Bengston, and Hans Hofmann. The gallery helped start the careers of American artists such as Robert Graham, Tom Holland, Ron Davis, and Bruce Nauman. In 1970, the gallery moved to 8225 ½ Santa Monica Boulevard. Through its fourteen years of operation, the gallery held a new show every month. Wilder's openings represented a large source of pride and he ensured that every opening reception included a stocked bar for his clients.
Initially, the gallery succeeded through Wilder's talents and passion for art. At its peak, the Nicholas Wilder Gallery sold two million dollars worth of art per year. However, in the mid-1970s a change in attitude within the art world affected sales. According to Wilder, many artists no longer painted for expression but as a viable business venture. Furthermore, he claimed that buyers would not risk collecting works from a younger or less well-known artist. In addition to these factors, Wilder attributed the decline of his gallery to his extravagance and lack of business sensibilities. Eventually, the gallery faced financial problems and Wilder recognized the need to leave the business.
The Nicholas Wilder Gallery closed on December 31, 1979. Wilder informed his employees that he would close a year in advance and ensured that all of his artists found a new gallery for representation. He moved to New York after leaving his gallery and became an artist. Nicholas Wilder passed away in 1989 from AIDS-related causes.
Related Material:
Also found in the Archives of American Art is an oral history interview with Nicholas Wilder conducted by Ruth Bowman on July 18, 1988.
Nicholas Wilder Gallery records, 1927-1980, are also located at the Getty Research Institute.
Provenance:
The Nicholas Wilder Gallery records were donated to the Archives of American Art in 1998 by Matthew Curtis Klebaum, a friend of Wilder's and a former employee of the James Corcoran Gallery.
Restrictions:
The collection is open for research. Use requires an appointment.
Rights:
The Nicholas Wilder Gallery records are owned by the Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution. Literary rights as possessed by the donor have been dedicated to public use for research, study, and scholarship. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
Topic:
Art galleries, Commercial -- California -- Los Angeles Search this
Art dealers -- California -- Los Angeles Search this
Artists biographical card file each containing a photograph of artists who exhibited in the gallery; gallery correspondence and notes, 1953-1965; and photographs and slides of the 20th annual exhibition, 1967.
Biographical / Historical:
Est.1947 as a commercial art gallery by librarians at the Santa Monica Library, 5th and Santa Monica Blvd. Exhibited abstract art from 1947 to 1965 when the building was torn down. Exhibited mostly local and amatuer artists, with exceptions like Hans Burkhardt, Wayne Thiebaud, Helen Lundeberg, Stanton Macdanold-Wright, June Wayne, Rico Lebrun, Lorser Feitelson, Francis de Erdely, and Bill Brice.
Provenance:
Donated 1993 by Richard Campbell, an artist who had been second Chairman of the Board of the Santa Monica Art Gallery.
Restrictions:
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center. Contact Reference Services for more information.
Calder, Alexander, 1898-1976 -- Photographs Search this
Extent:
0.3 Linear feet
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Date:
[circa 1958-1963]
Scope and Contents:
Photographs and printed material regarding Everet Ellin's career as owner of the Everett Ellin Galleries. Photographs are of Ellin, his galleries in Los Angeles, and Alexander Calder's sculpture. Printed material includes gallery advertisements, and a cafe menu from Ellin's Santa Monica Boulevard gallery.
Biographical / Historical:
Art dealer, art administrator, consultant; Los Angeles, Calif. and Diana, Tex. Ellin opened the Everett Ellin Gallery on Santa Monica Blvd., from 1957-1958, and then another on Sunset Blvd. from 1960-1963.
Provenance:
Donated 2007 by Everett Ellin.
Restrictions:
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center. Contact Reference Services for more information.
Occupation:
Art dealers -- California -- Los Angeles Search this
Function:
Art galleries, Commercial -- California -- Los Angeles
