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The Willard Gallery was a contemporary art gallery operating in New York City from 1940-1987.
Development
In 1936 Marian Guthrie Willard had founded the East River Gallery, 358 East 57 St., a rental gallery whose first exhibition was Lyonel Feininger watercolors. Between 1938 and 1940 Willard tried various iterations culminating in the founding of the Willard Gallery in 1940 at 32 East 57 St., New York City [1]. Marian Willard became known as Marian Willard Johnson after she married Dan Rhodes Johnson in 1942 [2]. Marian Willard Johnson wrote:
The idea of renting faded into the background as I became more and more interested in the development of individual artists. I closed the East River Gallery in 1938 to re-evaluate my direction. I spent the next two years in association with J.B. Neumann, who was himself trying to find another means of expression in his gallery by turning to the old masters instead of the work of contemporary artists. In l940 I visited Curt Valentin’s Bucholtz Gallery and found a small space available next door at 32 East 57 St. I decided to start here on my own again. We frequently worked together, each showing an aspect of an artist’s work. I showed Alexander Calder’s jewelry while Curt showed his mobiles. We made similar arrangements with the work of Paul Klee, Lyonel Feininger and David Smith. I had been in contact with Mark Tobey and Morris Graves since 1939 and was to launch their work during the early forties...The forties was not an easy moment in art. If we sold a Tobey for $350.00 there was rejoicing and celebration with the artist, who got a tremendous lift from such a sale. Our rent was low, our salaries lower, but we built on faith. A few devoted collectors and museum curators kept us afloat. The fifties brought much wider public interest and better prices. Some reputations had been established and the Gallery overhead was assured as was the living of many of our artists...In l952 the Willard Gallery moved to 23 West 56 St.[3]
In l962 the Willard Gallery moved to 29 East 72 St., New York City. After Dan and Marian Johnson retired in 1970 their daughter, Miani Johnson, took directorship of the gallery until, again facing relocation, she closed it in l987 [4]. Willard Gallery was a member of the Art Dealer’s Association of America. Dan Johnson served as ADAA president (date?) and Miani Johnson served on the board from 1985-87.
Artists
Following is a list of the artists who exhibited at the East River Gallery and the Willard Gallery from 1936 - 1987.
References
- ^ "Willard Gallery records, 1917-1973" (Collection). Retrieved 8 September 2014.
- ^ Gluek, Grace. "Marian Willard Johnson, 81, Dealer in Contemporary Art", The New York Times , New York, 7 November 1985
- ^ Willard Johnson, Marian. "A Commitment to Art", The Chapin School Alumnae Bulletin, New York, 1973.
- ^ Newhall, Edith. "Willard Weep for Me", New York Magazine, New York, 25 May 1987.