Series 2 | A Finding Aid to the Betty Parsons Gallery records and personal papers, 1916-1991, bulk 1946-1983 | Digitized Collection | Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution | Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution

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Series 2: Exhibition Files, 1941-1983

2.9 Linear feet

Boxes 18-21, 51, 55, OVs 54, 66

Exhibition files primarily document the gallery's infrequent group or themed exhibitions, and the general administration of exhibitions. Also found are files for exhibitions Parsons organized for other galleries and institutions, and for the short-lived Section Eleven Gallery, an adjunct to the Betty Parsons Gallery that focused on new artists. While some exhibition material related to solo exhibitions can be found here, most of the exhibition material related to one-man/person exhibitions are found in the artists files.

Exhibitions of particular note for which there are files in this series include The Ideographic Picture, which was organized by Barnett Newman and included his work, as well as that of Pietro Lazzari, Boris Margo, Ad Reinhardt, Mark Rothko, Theodoros Stamos, and Clyfford Still.

The Exhibition Files series is arranged into six subseries:

2.1: Group Exhibitions, 1944-1983
2.2: Loan Exhibitions, 1949-1979
2.3: Section Eleven Exhibitions, 1958-1961
2.4: General Exhibition Files, 1941-1983
2.5: Announcements and Catalogs, 1943-1983
2.6: Guest Books, 1969-1983

The bulk of this series has been digitized, except for duplicates and photographs of works of art donated or transferred prior to 2017. Photographs of exhibition installations have been digitized.

2.1

Group Exhibitions, 1944-1983

Files consist of correspondence, notes, lists, schedules, loan receipts, shipping invoices, press releases, announcements, catalogs, clippings, and photographs, related to group exhibitions at the Betty Parsons Gallery, beginning with the first one, Northwest Coast Indian Painting in 1946 and ending with the planned memorial exhibition, "Betty Parsons and Her Artists/Works on Paper," which was ultimately cancelled.

Description	Container
Northwest Coast Indian Painting (1946), 1946-1947 (2 folders)	18 36-37	Select: Northwest Coast Indian Painting (1946), 1946-1947 (2 folders)
Northwest Coast Indian Painting (1946), Printed Material, 1944-1946	18 38	Select: Northwest Coast Indian Painting (1946), Printed Material, 1944-1946
Northwest Coast Indian Painting (1946), Photographs, circa 1946 (Not scanned)	18 39	Select: Northwest Coast Indian Painting (1946), Photographs, circa 1946 (Not scanned)
The Ideographic Picture (1947), 1947-1949, 1967, 1980	18 40	Select: The Ideographic Picture (1947), 1947-1949, 1967, 1980
Ten Years (1955), 1955-1956 (2 folders)	18 41-42	Select: Ten Years (1955), 1955-1956 (2 folders)
Ten Years (1955), Photographs, Installations, circa 1955	18 43	Select: Ten Years (1955), Photographs, Installations, circa 1955
Ten Years (1955), Photographs, Works of Art, circa 1955 (2 folders; not scanned)	18 44-45	Select: Ten Years (1955), Photographs, Works of Art, circa 1955 (2 folders; not scanned)
Paintings for Unlimited Space (1958-1959), 1958-1959 (Partially scanned)	18 46	Select: Paintings for Unlimited Space (1958-1959), 1958-1959 (Partially scanned)
Amlash Sculpture from Iran (1963), 1963-1977 (4 folders)	18 47-50	Select: Amlash Sculpture from Iran (1963), 1963-1977 (4 folders)
Amlash Sculpture from Iran (1963), Printed Material, 1963-1964	18 51	Select: Amlash Sculpture from Iran (1963), Printed Material, 1963-1964
Amlash Sculpture from Iran (1963), Photographs, circa 1963	18 52	Select: Amlash Sculpture from Iran (1963), Photographs, circa 1963
Amlash Sculpture from Iran (1963), Photographs, circa 1963	18 53	Select: Amlash Sculpture from Iran (1963), Photographs, circa 1963
Toys by Artists (1963-1964), 1963-1964 (2 folders)	19 1-2	Select: Toys by Artists (1963-1964), 1963-1964 (2 folders)
Toys by Artists (1963-1964), Printed Material, circa 1963	19 3	Select: Toys by Artists (1963-1964), Printed Material, circa 1963
Toys by Artists (1963-1964), Photographs, 1963-1964 (Partially scanned)	19 4	Select: Toys by Artists (1963-1964), Photographs, 1963-1964 (Partially scanned)
Pattern Art (1966), 1966	19 5	Select: Pattern Art (1966), 1966
Pattern Art (1966), Photographs, circa 1966	19 6	Select: Pattern Art (1966), Photographs, circa 1966
Four British Painters (1967), 1967	19 7	Select: Four British Painters (1967), 1967
Four British Painters (1967), Printed Material, 1967-1968	19 8	Select: Four British Painters (1967), Printed Material, 1967-1968
Four British Painters (1967), Photographs, circa 1967 (Not scanned)	19 9	Select: Four British Painters (1967), Photographs, circa 1967 (Not scanned)
The World of the Zoo (1969), 1969	19 10	Select: The World of the Zoo (1969), 1969
The World of the Zoo (1969), Photographs, 1969 (Partially scanned)	19 11	Select: The World of the Zoo (1969), Photographs, 1969 (Partially scanned)
Reductive Vision (1969), 1969	19 12	Select: Reductive Vision (1969), 1969
Group Sculpture Show (1970), Photograph, 1970	19 13	Select: Group Sculpture Show (1970), Photograph, 1970
New Talent (1973), 1970-1973	19 14	Select: New Talent (1973), 1970-1973
New Talent Festival (1974), 1974 (3 folders)	19 15-17	Select: New Talent Festival (1974), 1974 (3 folders)
Group Exhibition (1978), Photographs, 1978	19 18	Select: Group Exhibition (1978), Photographs, 1978
Group Show (1979-1980), circa 1979	19 19	Select: Group Show (1979-1980), circa 1979
Group Exhibition (1982), 1982-1983 (2 folders; slides not scanned)	19 20-21	Select: Group Exhibition (1982), 1982-1983 (2 folders; slides not scanned)
Painting (1983), 1983 (2 folders)	19 22-23	Select: Painting (1983), 1983 (2 folders)
Painting (1983), Slides, circa 1983 (Not scanned)	19 24	Select: Painting (1983), Slides, circa 1983 (Not scanned)
Betty Parsons and Her Artists / Works on Paper (1983, canceled), 1983	19 25	Select: Betty Parsons and Her Artists / Works on Paper (1983, canceled), 1983

2.2

Loan Exhibitions, 1949-1979

Files consist of a wide variety of materials, such as correspondence, notes, lists, schedules, loan receipts, shipping invoices, press releases, announcements, catalogs, clippings, and photographs, relating to exhibitions in other galleries or institutions organized by Betty Parsons and/or for which the gallery loaned artwork.

Description	Container
Paintings and Sculpture by Walter Murch and Adaline Kent (1950: Art Center Association, Louisville, Kentucky and Southbend Art Association, South Bend, Indiana), 1949-1950	19 26	Select: Paintings and Sculpture by Walter Murch and Adaline Kent (1950: Art Center Association, Louisville, Kentucky and Southbend Art Association, South Bend, Indiana), 1949-1950
An Exhibition of Contemporary Religious Art (1953: The Church of the Ascension, New York City), 1953	19 27	Select: An Exhibition of Contemporary Religious Art (1953: The Church of the Ascension, New York City), 1953
The Artists' Vision (1958: Signa Gallery, East Hampton, New York), 1958	19 28	Select: The Artists' Vision (1958: Signa Gallery, East Hampton, New York), 1958
ART:USA:58 (Madison Square Garden, New York, New York), 1957	19 29	Select: ART:USA:58 (Madison Square Garden, New York, New York), 1957
American Abstract Painters (1961: Arthur Tooth and Sons, London, England), 1960-1961	19 30	Select: American Abstract Painters (1961: Arthur Tooth and Sons, London, England), 1960-1961
Four American Painter (1962: Moulton Gallery, London, England), 1961-1962	19 31	Select: Four American Painter (1962: Moulton Gallery, London, England), 1961-1962
Seattle World's Fair (1962), 1961-1962	19 32	Select: Seattle World's Fair (1962), 1961-1962
Salon International de Galleries-Pilotes (2nd : 1966: Lausanne, Switzerland), 1965-1967 (6 folders; see also box 51)	19 33-38	Select: Salon International de Galleries-Pilotes (2nd : 1966: Lausanne, Switzerland), 1965-1967 (6 folders; see also box 51)
Documenta (4th : 1968: Kassel, Germany), 1967-1968	19 39	Select: Documenta (4th : 1968: Kassel, Germany), 1967-1968
Barbara Chase-Riboud (1973: Indianapolis Art Museum and Detroit Art Institute), 1973	19 40	Select: Barbara Chase-Riboud (1973: Indianapolis Art Museum and Detroit Art Institute), 1973
New York: The Last Ten Years (1979: Otis Art Institute of Parsons Design School, Los Angeles, California), 1979 (2 folders)	19 41-42	Select: New York: The Last Ten Years (1979: Otis Art Institute of Parsons Design School, Los Angeles, California), 1979 (2 folders)
New York: The Last Ten Years (1979: Otis Art Institute of Parsons Design School, Los Angeles, California), Photographs, circa 1979 (Not scanned)	19 43	Select: New York: The Last Ten Years (1979: Otis Art Institute of Parsons Design School, Los Angeles, California), Photographs, circa 1979 (Not scanned)
Oversize, Salon International de Galleries-Pilotes (2nd: 1966: Lausanne, Switzerland), 1965-1967 (Scanned with Box 19, F38)	51	Select: Oversize, Salon International de Galleries-Pilotes (2nd: 1966: Lausanne, Switzerland), 1965-1967 (Scanned with Box 19, F38)

2.3

Section Eleven Exhibitions, 1958-1961

Files consist of correspondence, notes, lists, schedules, loan receipts, shipping invoices, press releases, announcements, catalogs, clippings, and photographs, relating to various group exhibitions held in the Section Eleven Gallery, which operated for a short time, from 1958-1961, as an adjunct to the Betty Parsons Gallery and showcased the work of new artists.

Description	Container
Opening, 1958	19 44	Select: Opening, 1958
New Names (December 20, 1960 - January 7, 1961), 1959-1962	19 45	Select: New Names (December 20, 1960 - January 7, 1961), 1959-1962
New Names (December 20, 1960 - January 7, 1961), Photographs, circa 1960 (Not scanned)	19 46	Select: New Names (December 20, 1960 - January 7, 1961), Photographs, circa 1960 (Not scanned)
Various Exhibitions, 1958-1961 (4 folders)	19 47-50	Select: Various Exhibitions, 1958-1961 (4 folders)
Announcements and Catalogs, 1958-1961 (3 folders)	19 51-53	Select: Announcements and Catalogs, 1958-1961 (3 folders)

2.4

General Exhibition Files, 1941-1983

Files consist of materials relating to the general planning, production, and administration of exhibitions, as well as sales relating to exhibitions. Includes are artists biographies, exhibition schedules, price lists, and other lists. The bulk of the documentation relating to solo exhibitions of particular artists can be found amongst the artist files.

2.5

Announcements and Catalogs, 1943-1983

Found here are exhibition announcements and catalogs, and a few exhibition posters, for the Betty Parsons Gallery. Exhibition announcements and catalogs can also be found amongst the artists files.

2.6

Guest Books, 1969-1983

Guest books contain signatures and comments from visitors to exhibitions at the Betty Parsons Gallery. There is no guest book for 1977.

Description	Container
Guest Book, 1969-1970	20 22	Select: Guest Book, 1969-1970
Guest Book, 1970-1971	20 23	Select: Guest Book, 1970-1971
Guest Books, 1972 (2 folders)	20 24-25	Select: Guest Books, 1972 (2 folders)
Guest Book, 1973	20 26	Select: Guest Book, 1973
Guest Book, 1973-1974	20 27	Select: Guest Book, 1973-1974
Guest Book, 1975	20 28	Select: Guest Book, 1975
Guest Book, 1976	20 29	Select: Guest Book, 1976
Guest Book, 1976 March-October	20 30	Select: Guest Book, 1976 March-October
Guest Book, 1978	20 31	Select: Guest Book, 1978
Guest Book, 1979	20 32	Select: Guest Book, 1979
Guest Book, 1979-1980	20 33	Select: Guest Book, 1979-1980
Guest Book, 1980-1981	20 34	Select: Guest Book, 1980-1981
Guest Book, 1981-1982	20 35	Select: Guest Book, 1981-1982
Guest Book, 1982-1983	21 1	Select: Guest Book, 1982-1983

Make a Request

To request an appointment to view materials, make your selections using the checkboxes and click the "Reading Room" button. Please note, you will receive the full box.
To request reproductions, make your selections using the checkboxes and click the "Reproduction" button.

Washington D.C. Headquarters and Research Center

New York Office

Affiliated Research Centers

Betty Parsons Gallery records and personal papers, 1916-1991, bulk 1946-1983

Creator

Occupation

Make a Request

Series 2: Exhibition Files, 1941-1983

2.9 Linear feet

Boxes 18-21, 51, 55, OVs 54, 66

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

2.6

Make a Request

Research Center Hours

Description	Container
Exhibition Lists, Schedules, and Price Lists, 1950-1980	19 54	Select: Exhibition Lists, Schedules, and Price Lists, 1950-1980
Group Exhibition Price Lists, 1950-1959	19 55	Select: Group Exhibition Price Lists, 1950-1959
Group Exhibition Price Lists, 1960-1969	19 56	Select: Group Exhibition Price Lists, 1960-1969
Group Exhibition Price Lists, circa 1969-circa 1972	56 15	Select: Group Exhibition Price Lists, circa 1969-circa 1972
Group Exhibition Price Lists, 1970-1979	19 57	Select: Group Exhibition Price Lists, 1970-1979
Group Exhibition Price Lists, 1980-1983	19 58	Select: Group Exhibition Price Lists, 1980-1983
Solo Exhibition Price Lists, 1970-1971	19 59	Select: Solo Exhibition Price Lists, 1970-1971
Solo Exhibition Price Lists, 1972-1973	19 60	Select: Solo Exhibition Price Lists, 1972-1973
Solo Exhibition Price Lists, 1974-1978	19 61	Select: Solo Exhibition Price Lists, 1974-1978
Solo Exhibition Price Lists, circa 1971-circa 1975	56 16	Select: Solo Exhibition Price Lists, circa 1971-circa 1975
Price Lists for Exhibition Posters, 1960s	19 62	Select: Price Lists for Exhibition Posters, 1960s
Lists of Gallery Artists, 1947-1983	19 63	Select: Lists of Gallery Artists, 1947-1983
Lists of Artists Represented, circa 1947-1983	19 64	Select: Lists of Artists Represented, circa 1947-1983
Biographies of Gallery Artists, General List, circa 1967	19 65	Select: Biographies of Gallery Artists, General List, circa 1967
Biographies of Gallery Artists, A-B, circa 1947-1983	19 66	Select: Biographies of Gallery Artists, A-B, circa 1947-1983
Biographies of Gallery Artists, C-F, circa 1947-1983	19 67	Select: Biographies of Gallery Artists, C-F, circa 1947-1983
Biographies of Gallery Artists, G, circa 1947-1983	19 68	Select: Biographies of Gallery Artists, G, circa 1947-1983
Biographies of Gallery Artists, H, circa 1947-1983	19 69	Select: Biographies of Gallery Artists, H, circa 1947-1983
Biographies of Gallery Artists, J-M, circa 1947-1983	19 70	Select: Biographies of Gallery Artists, J-M, circa 1947-1983
Biographies of Gallery Artists, O-P, circa 1947-1983	19 71	Select: Biographies of Gallery Artists, O-P, circa 1947-1983
Biographies of Gallery Artists, R-S, circa 1947-1983	19 72	Select: Biographies of Gallery Artists, R-S, circa 1947-1983
Biographies of Gallery Artists, T, circa 1947-1983	20 1	Select: Biographies of Gallery Artists, T, circa 1947-1983
Biographies of Gallery Artists, V-Z, circa 1947-1983	20 2	Select: Biographies of Gallery Artists, V-Z, circa 1947-1983
Exhibition Chronology (including Wakefield Gallery and Mortimer Brandt Gallery), before 1968	20 3	Select: Exhibition Chronology (including Wakefield Gallery and Mortimer Brandt Gallery), before 1968
Exhibition List (by artist and title of show), circa 1960	20 4	Select: Exhibition List (by artist and title of show), circa 1960
Exhibition Schedules, 1941-1950	20 5	Select: Exhibition Schedules, 1941-1950
Exhibition Schedules, 1951-1954	20 6	Select: Exhibition Schedules, 1951-1954
Exhibition Schedules, 1954-1960	20 7	Select: Exhibition Schedules, 1954-1960
Exhibition Schedules, 1960-1976	20 8	Select: Exhibition Schedules, 1960-1976
Exhibition Schedules, 1977-1983	20 9	Select: Exhibition Schedules, 1977-1983
Exhibition Schedules, 1975-1976	56 17	Select: Exhibition Schedules, 1975-1976

Washington D.C. Headquarters and Research Center

New York Office

Affiliated Research Centers

Betty Parsons Gallery records and personal papers, 1916-1991, bulk 1946-1983

Creator

Occupation

Make a Request

Series 2: Exhibition Files, 1941-1983 2.9 Linear feet Boxes 18-21, 51, 55, OVs 54, 66

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

2.6

Make a Request

Series 2: Exhibition Files, 1941-1983

2.9 Linear feet

Boxes 18-21, 51, 55, OVs 54, 66