About Archway
A Brief History
Archway Gallery opened for business on April 1, 1976. It was the creation of a group of artists that had decided the time was right to take artistic control of the process of selling art. Archway’s first location, secured by Hilary Page, was in the C.G. Jung Center at 5200 Montrose, which had a 600 sq-ft gallery space. The gallery’s name was derived from the arches in this space. From the start, Archway was conceived as an artist-owned gallery – it would be owned and operated by the artists who would take complete responsibility for the operation of the business. New members would buy shares in the business. (The original members also had to buy a track light head as part of the agreement!) Initially, Archway had 11 members: Elaine Adams, June Adler, Judy Bush, Mary Bush, Joan Calabro, Dorothy English, Joyce Gould, Janet Hassinger, Marianne Hornbuckle, Stephanie Nadolski, and John Zanders.
Its first mission statement: "Archway Gallery is a partnership of regionally and nationally recognized professional artists. The gallery concept evolved in order to provide a showplace for these talented members to exhibit their work and to insure artistic freedom and individual control of quality and content. These artists are committed to promoting art with the community and to educating the public and an understanding and sharing of aesthetic ideals and purposes."
In August of 1980, Archway moved into 2517 University Blvd, in the Rice Village area, in a 3000 sq-ft space. With the larger space, the roster expanded to 12 members. Archway had other homes in the area over the years including a building on Montrose near Texas Art Supply and then 2013 West Gray, where the roster consisted of 15 artists in 1200sq ft. The Gallery remained in that location for 15 years until a lingerie store opted for the space. Finally, in October of 2008, Archway moved into its present location at 2305 Dunlavy. With almost 4000 sq-ft of space, the gallery now represents 34 artist-members. Archway has been a key player in the lives of over 110 Houston artists, allowing them to grow both their artistic and business skills.
Here are the words of Stephanie Nadolski, one of the original founders of the Gallery and director for many years:
I cannot begin to count the ways Archway contributed to my entire artistic professional career. The artists who were there for support and inspiration and the loyal clients that became our friends added many layers of dimension to my personal and professional growth.
Its first mission statement: "Archway Gallery is a partnership of regionally and nationally recognized professional artists. The gallery concept evolved in order to provide a showplace for these talented members to exhibit their work and to insure artistic freedom and individual control of quality and content. These artists are committed to promoting art with the community and to educating the public and an understanding and sharing of aesthetic ideals and purposes."
In August of 1980, Archway moved into 2517 University Blvd, in the Rice Village area, in a 3000 sq-ft space. With the larger space, the roster expanded to 12 members. Archway had other homes in the area over the years including a building on Montrose near Texas Art Supply and then 2013 West Gray, where the roster consisted of 15 artists in 1200sq ft. The Gallery remained in that location for 15 years until a lingerie store opted for the space. Finally, in October of 2008, Archway moved into its present location at 2305 Dunlavy. With almost 4000 sq-ft of space, the gallery now represents 34 artist-members. Archway has been a key player in the lives of over 110 Houston artists, allowing them to grow both their artistic and business skills.
Here are the words of Stephanie Nadolski, one of the original founders of the Gallery and director for many years:
I cannot begin to count the ways Archway contributed to my entire artistic professional career. The artists who were there for support and inspiration and the loyal clients that became our friends added many layers of dimension to my personal and professional growth.