An Evening of Exploration
Another successful spring show on May 22 featured fine American art from some of the foremost galleries and dealers in the Manhattan area
The spring rendition of the biannual Just Off Madison event on the Upper East Side of Manhattan occurred on May 22 during Newyork’s historic American Art Week. The open house event featured artwork from 14 galleries and dealers spanning a dozen blocks near Madison Avenue, including Hollis Taggart Galleries, Avery Galleries, Meredith Ward Fine Art and Betty Krulik Fine Art, where guests were able to browse works and mingle with gallery owners, dealers and patrons.
More than 80 people attended this spring, according to John Sanderson, David Tunick, Inc. gallery technician. For the 69th Street gallery, this was an opportunity to showcase new acquisitions as well as works from their stock that had not been previously shown before, including drawings and watercolors by Charles Burchfield, Milton Avery, David Smith and Andy Warhol. Several major items were also sold during the event, Sanderson says, with others still pending.
Menconi + Schoelkopf director Jonathan Spies says this has possibly been the gallery’s best rendition so far. “In spite of rainy weather, the galleries were crammed with thoughtful people—collectors, curators and the simply curious,” says Spies.there was particular excitement around works by Maurice Prendergast, John Singer Sargent and Andrew Wyeth.
Taylor | Graham gallery director Kelly Mcfall says American Art Week and Just Off Madison came with a renewed interest in traditional works for the gallery.“one of our lovely Bessie Potter Vonnoh busts, a bronze Mother and Child, sold to a knowledgeable long-time collector.we also sold a large-scale Martha Walter oil of a nude similar in quality and character to the portraits of George Bellows,” Mcfall says.
“We love Just Off Madison, as it allows people who don’t have a habit of visiting smaller, more private dealers the opportunity to see what goes on,” Spies says.“while we encourage visitors to make appointments, our doors are always open and Just Off Madison helps to break that ice.”