Grand Central Art Galleries

Grand Central Art Galleries
Medal commemorating the founding of the Grand Central Art Galleries
Map
Established1922
Dissolved1994
LocationNew York City, New York, United States
TypeArt gallery
DirectorErwin S. Barrie, James D. Cox
PresidentWalter Leighton Clark

The Grand Central Art Galleries were the exhibition and administrative space of the nonprofit Painters and Sculptors Gallery Association, an artists' cooperative established in 1922 by Walter Leighton Clark together with John Singer Sargent, Edmund Greacen, and others.[1] Artists closely associated with the Grand Central Art Galleries included Hovsep Pushman, George de Forest Brush, and especially Sargent, whose posthumous show took place there in 1928.[2]

The Galleries were active from 1923 until 1994.[3] For 29 years they were located on the sixth floor of Grand Central Terminal. At their 1923 opening, the Galleries covered 14,000 square feet (1,300 m2) and offered nine exhibition areas and a reception room,[4] described as "the largest sales gallery of art in the world."[5] In 1958 the Galleries moved to the second floor of the Biltmore Hotel, where they had six exhibition rooms and an office.[6] They remained at the Biltmore for 23 years, until it was converted into an office building.[7] The Galleries then moved to 24 West 57th Street, where they remained until they ceased activity.[8]

In addition to their main offices, the Grand Central Art Galleries directed a number of other enterprises. They launched the Grand Central School of Art in 1923, opened a branch gallery at Fifth Avenue and 51st Street in 1933,[9] and in 1947 established Grand Central Moderns[10] to show non-figurative works. The Grand Central Art Galleries were also responsible for the creation, design, and construction of the United States Pavilion at the Venice Biennale.[11]

  1. ^ "Painters and Sculptors' Gallery Association to Begin Work," The New York Times, December 19, 1922
  2. ^ "Grand Central Gallery Shows Material Found in Artist's Studio After His Death," The New York Times, February 15, 1928
  3. ^ "A Finding Aid to the Grand Central Art Galleries records, 1931-1968, bulk circa 1952-circa 1965". Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution. November 14, 2018. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  4. ^ "New Art Gallery Opens to Throng," The New York Times, March 22, 1923
  5. ^ "New Home for Art to Cost $100,000," The New York Times, March 11, 1923
  6. ^ "Galleries to End 36 Years in Depot," The New York Times, October 31, 1958
  7. ^ "Retaining Order to Block Biltmore Demolition Expires," The New York Times, August 19, 1981
  8. ^ Fraser, C. Gerald (April 22, 1986). "Going Out Guide". The New York Times. Retrieved March 3, 2010.
  9. ^ http://www.aaa.si.edu/collections/collection/grancent.htm |1934 Grand Central Art Galleries catalog
  10. ^ "In Two Current New York Shows," The New York Times, September 17, 1950
  11. ^ "American Art Show Opened at Venice," The New York Times, May 5, 1930