Collection Information
Size: 3.0 linear ft. (on 4 microfilm reels).
Summary: Administrative records, correspondence, exhibition and artist files. Administrative files of gallery directors Albert Landry and Oscar Piagentini, 1962-1970, concerning the founding and history of the gallery, public relations, and donations to various institutions; correspondence, 1964-1971, mostly concerning art purchases by four mid-western corporations; solo exhibition files, 1963-1973, representing many prominent artists, containing resumes, correspondence, photographs, announcements, catalogs, invoices, and clippings; similar types of material in files on museums, universities, and art groups, 1963-1971; and an alphabetical card index, 546 cards, cross-references exhibitions and participating artists.
Biographical/Historical Note
Commercial art gallery; Detroit, Michigan. Founded in 1963 by Joseph L. Hudson, the president of the Detroit based J. L. Hudson Company, who had an interest in bringing art of top quality to Detroit. Albert Landry, who had previously owned a gallery in New York, was hired as first director. The gallery, located in the downtown branch of Hudson's, opened on November 18, 1963 with an exhibition of the W. R. Valentiner Collection. Although the gallery had some exhibitions which included 18th and 19th century art, it concentrated on the 20th century, bringing the work of the best contemporary artists to Detroit. Oscar Piagentini succeeded Landry as gallery director in 1967. The gallery closed ca. 1974.
Provenance
Joy Emery, a former director of the Gallery, represented the J.L. Hudson company in its donation of the material.
