Washington Gallery of Modern Art
| Company type | Non-profit art gallery |
|---|---|
| Industry | Contemporary art |
| Founded | 1961 |
| Defunct | 1968 |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. , United States |
Key people | Alice Denney (Assistant Director and founder), Julian Eisenstein (founder), Gerald Nordland (director), Charles Millard (director), Adelyn Breeskin (director), Walter Hopps (director) |
| Products | Art exhibitions |
The Washington Gallery of Modern Art was a brief yet influential institution dedicated to contemporary art, situated near Dupont Circle in Washington, DC throughout the 1960s. It operated from October 1961 until September 1968, after which its collection of 153 pieces was purchased by the Oklahoma City Museum of Art in 1968 for $110,000. This assemblage included significant 20th-century artists such as Ellsworth Kelly, Robert Indiana, Grace Hartigan, and Marcel Duchamp.
History
During its existence, the Gallery presented numerous exhibitions that toured both nationally and internationally. Among these, the 1965 "Washington Color Painters" exhibition was pivotal in bringing prominence to the Washington Color School. Noteworthy moments encompassed the inaugural retrospective of Franz Kline in 1962, curated by Alice Denney, as well as the 1963 "Popular Image Show," which showcased works by artists including Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns, Tom Wesselmann, Claes Oldenburg, and James Rosenquist. That same year, the Gallery organized the "Pop Festival," featuring Rauschenberg’s first performance of "Pelican." The event also included performances by John Cage and the Judson Dancers, an Oldenburg happening entitled "Stars," along with a lecture on Pop Art delivered by Robert Rosenblum.
The Gallery was established by Assistant Director Alice Denney alongside Julian Eisenstein. Its leadership roster featured directors such as Gerald Nordland, who coined the term Washington Color School; Charles Millard; Adelyn Breeskin; and briefly near its closure, Walter Hopps. While a New York Times piece identifies Eleanor "Lalli" Lloyd as the founder, her role was primarily as a key member of the initial board.