Margery E. Goldberg facts for kids

Margery E. Goldberg (born 1950) is an American artist and art curator. She is known for starting and running the Zenith Gallery in Washington, D.C.. This gallery shows modern art in many forms. It features over 100 artists, from new talents to well-known ones. Margery Goldberg also works to support arts in her community.

About Margery Goldberg

Her Early Life and Art Journey

Margery Goldberg was born in 1950 in Rochester, New York. She started sculpting with clay when she was just 10 years old. She took art classes at the Rochester Memorial Art Gallery while in elementary and high school. Even though she was good with her hands, she kept learning about art through high school. Her father worked in printing and advertising. This meant Margery grew up seeing how businesses work.

Goldberg went to George Washington University from 1968 to 1972. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Arts. From 1972 to 1977, she had a workshop on K Street in Washington, D.C. It was in an old hayloft. There, she created art for people and held art shows.

Starting Zenith Gallery

In 1977, Margery Goldberg's K Street studio burned down. After this, she and two friends bought a very large space. It was about 50,000 square feet. This space was at 15th Street and Rhode Island Avenue in Washington, D.C. It had six townhouses, two big buildings, and many carriage houses. In 1978, this became the Zenith Gallery.

Goldberg fixed up some of the houses. She then rented rooms to other artists. About half of the artists who rented from her also had studios at Zenith Gallery. In 1987, Goldberg opened a second Zenith Gallery. This one was on 7th Street's Gallery Row in Washington, D.C. It stayed open until 2009.

After the Rhode Island Avenue location closed in December 1987, Goldberg focused on making art just for herself. She then offered these pieces for sale. She felt it was better to create art freely. She said that making art just for money was not as fulfilling. The gallery is now located at 1429 Iris Street NW, Washington, D.C. Goldberg also helps choose art for the lobby at 1111 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.

Other Ways She Helps the Arts

In 1980, Goldberg helped start the Arts and Entertainment News Service. This group recorded over 30 art, music, and cultural events. They made videos for WETA-TV, a public television station. Today, these videos are like a history book of the art scene in Washington, D.C.

Margery Goldberg is also an activist and a strong supporter of the arts. In 2000, she started the Zenith Community Arts Foundation. This is a non-profit group. It works on projects that help artists and the whole Washington, D.C., community. From 1992 to 1997, Goldberg was a commissioner for the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. This group helps support arts and culture in the city. She was also the treasurer for two of those years. In 1998 and 2007, Goldberg worked on a special group. This group helped develop arts in downtown Washington, D.C.

Awards and Special Recognitions

• In 1986, Margery Goldberg was a finalist for Washington, D.C.'s Mayor's Arts Awards. This was for her great work in the arts.
• In 2010, Goldberg won Washington, D.C.'s Mayor's Arts Award. This award was for her excellent service to the arts.
• In April 2018, the Council of the District of Columbia honored Goldberg. They congratulated her on Zenith Gallery's 40th anniversary. They also recognized its success in supporting the arts in the city.