10th Street galleries facts for kids

The 10th Street galleries was a name for a group of art galleries in New York City. They were mostly in the East Village part of Manhattan. These galleries were special because artists themselves ran them. They operated from the 1950s into the 1960s.

These galleries often had very little money and sometimes no staff at all. Some artists even joined more than one gallery. The 10th Street galleries offered a new, exciting way to show art. They were different from the older, more traditional galleries on Madison Avenue and 57th Street. Those older galleries were very picky about what art they showed.

History of the Galleries

The Judson Memorial Church in 2017. It had a gallery that was part of the 10th Street art scene.

The Neighborhood Where Art Grew

In New York City, from the early 1950s to the mid-1960s, many art galleries started in a special part of downtown Manhattan. This area, between 8th and 14th Streets, was popular. Many serious painters and sculptors moved there. They found places to live and work that were not too expensive.

Artists lived and worked all around these galleries. The area might have looked plain, with pool halls and factories. But the feeling was lively and creative. Artists worked during the day. At night, they would go to "The Club," a private place to talk about art. They also danced in each other's studios.

It was hard for artists to find places to show their new, modern art. So, they decided to work together. They started their own galleries. This is how the 10th Street art scene began. Many co-operative galleries were formed. A few non-co-operative galleries also opened.

Many artists who showed their work here later became very famous. Other artists are not as well known today. But they still worked with great passion. Some of the most famous galleries were the Tanager Gallery, The March Gallery, The Hansa Gallery, and The Phoenix Gallery. Most of the 10th Street galleries have closed now. But the Phoenix Gallery is still open, though it has moved and has new members.

The Artists of 10th Street

About 250 artists were official members of these co-operative galleries. This was between 1952 and 1962. More than 500 artists, and maybe even 1000, showed their art on 10th Street.

Some older, well-known artists had studios nearby. These included Willem de Kooning and Franz Kline. They often helped and supported the younger artists.

During these active years, several sculptors became known for the "10th Street style." These included William King, David Slivka, and James Rosati. Even though their work was quite different, they were all part of this scene.

Other galleries were also connected to this area and time. These included the Terrain Gallery and the gallery at the Judson Church. These were not co-operative galleries.

The galleries on and near 10th Street were very important for American art. They helped many different art styles grow. The 10th Street scene was also a social place. Art show openings often happened at the same time. This allowed artists to meet each other. Writers, poets, and art collectors also came to these events. The 10th Street art scene led to the later SoHo and Chelsea gallery scenes.

Artists by Photo

(We could only find a few photos.)

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  Sculptor Ronald Bladen in 1968. He was a member of the Brata Gallery.

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  Sculptor Mark di Suvero in 1978. He was a member of the March Gallery.

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  Artist Budd Hopkins in 1997. He was a member of the March Gallery.

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  Painter Angelo Ippolito in 1950. He was a member of the Tanager Gallery.

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  Painter and performance artist Allan Kaprow was a member of the Hansa Gallery.

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  Painter Miriam Laufer in 1962. She is a member of the Phoenix Gallery.

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  Painter Emily Mason in 2016. She was a member of the Area Gallery.

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  Painter Ray Spillenger was an early member of the March Gallery.

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  Multimedia artist Robert Whitman in 2010. He was a member of the Hansa Gallery.

Famous Artworks from the Galleries

(We could only find a few examples.)

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  The sculpture "Sonar Tide" by Ronald Bladen. He was a member of the Brata Gallery.

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  The "Lao Tzu" sculpture by Mark di Suvero. He was a member of the March Gallery.

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  Alice Neel painted "Blanche Angel Pregnant, 1937." She was a member of the Camino Gallery.

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  The art installation "Narcissus Garden" by Yayoi Kusama. She was a member of the Brata Gallery.

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  Sculptor Richard Stankiewicz created "Miracle in the Scrap Heap." He was a member of the Hansa Gallery.

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  Frank Stout painted "The Lobster Convention." He was a member of the Tanager Gallery.

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  The sculpture "Negro y blanco horizontal" by George Sugarman. He was a member of the Brata Gallery.

Tanager Gallery (1952–1962)

Locations

• From Fall 1953 to Summer 1962: 90 East 10th Street
• From Summer 1952 to Fall 1953: 51 East 4th Street

Some Members

Hansa Gallery (1952–1959)

Locations

• From Fall 1952 to Fall 1954: 70 East 12th Street
• From Fall 1954 to Summer 1959: 210 Central Park South

Some Members

Directors

• Richard Bellamy and Ivan Karp

James Gallery (1954–1962)

Locations

• From Fall 1954 to Summer 1962: 70 East 12th Street

Some Members

Camino Gallery (1956–1963)

Locations

• From Fall 1956 to Fall 1960: 92 East 10th Street
• From Fall 1960 to Fall 1963: 89 East 10th Street

Some Members

The Camino Gallery closed in November 1963. Six of its members then joined the Phoenix Gallery. The Phoenix Gallery had moved to 939 Madison Avenue.

Directors

March Gallery (1957–1962)

Locations

• From March 1957 to January 1962: 95 East 10th Street

Some Members

Brata Gallery (1957 – mid-1960s)

Locations

• From 1957 to mid-1960s: 89 East 10th Street

Some Members

Phoenix Gallery (1958–present)

Locations

• October 2014 to present: 548 West 28th Street
• 2003 to Fall 2014: 210 Eleventh Avenue
• 1977 to 2003: 560 Broadway
• June 1977: 30 West 57th Street
• January 1963 to May 1977: 939 Madison Avenue
• October 1958 to December 1962: 40 Third Avenue

Some Members

Area Gallery (1958–1965)

Locations

• Fall 1958 to Summer 1962: 80 East 10th Street
• Fall 1962 to Summer 1965: 90 East 10th Street

Some Members

See also

• Artist cooperative
• Artist-run initiative
• Artist-run space
• Abstract expressionism
• Park Place Gallery