Gray Matters Gallery Records
Scope and Contents
This collection documents the operation of Gray Matters Gallery in Dallas Texas, from its establishment in 1991 until its official closing in 2005, and the occasional special exhibition held since the closing.
The majority of records pertain to the gallery exhibitions and events held between 1991 and 2005. Materials for exhibitions and events may include gallery mailings, press releases, checklists of works included in the show, text panels used in the exhibition, publications (printed catalogue or brochure and postcards), correspondence, sales records, biographical information and artist statements of artists exhibited, reference material on artists included in a show, news clippings on the show, images of artist work, images of the show as installed in the gallery, and images documenting show openings and other events.
The gallery administration records contain an assortment of information on the gallery, not directly related to a specific exhibition. This includes calendars, exhibition schedules and lists, gallery artist information, news clippings, general correspondence and financial information.
The records pertaining to the special exhibitions will contain material similar to the gallery exhibitions.
Dates
- 1991 - 2013
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for public research. Researchers must make an appointment to view this collection.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright, where applicable, is maintained by David Szafranski & Vance Wingate / Gray Matters Gallery.
Consult repository for information on reproduction.
Biographical / Historical
The Gray Matters Gallery opened at 113 N. Haskell Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75226 on September 14, 1991 with its inagural exhibition Gray Matters @ Gray Matters: Group Show. The gallery was founded by David Szafranski and Vance Wingate. Gray Matters operated from 1991-1999, and after a two year hiatus, continued from 2002-2005. The last offical gallery exhibition closed on July 31, 2005. Vance Wingate, who owns the building housing Gray Matters Gallery along with Dottie Allen and Tom Sale, continutes to hold special exhibitions on a occasional basis.
Gray Matters was operated jointly by Szafranski and Wingate for the first year of its operation. Wingate moved to Seattle, Washington in the fall of 1992. Szfranski ran the gallery until the summer of 1996, when Wingate returned to Dallas, and Szfranski moved to Paris, France.
Gray Matters Gallery was by design an alternative gallery space where the art would always come first. Many artists had their first shows in Dallas at Gray Matters, and many of the artists shown have developed into regionally and nationally known talents. The gallery not only provided a place for emerging artists to exhibit, but also granted exposure to other less traditional art forms including folk art, car art, assemblage, and performance art. Artists who often had solo exhibitions or were included in group shows include: David Szafranski, Vance Wingate, Celia Eberle, Tom Sale, Dottie Allen (Love), Sherry Owens, Trish Nickell, Dolan Smith, Michael Henderson, Randy Bolton, Johnny Walker, Robin dru Germany, Andy Don Emmons Jr., Teel Sale, Chuck & George (Brian Jones and Brian Scott), Ken Craft, and Julie Ross; this is only a small sample of the artists who showed work at Gray Matters Gallery though. The Dallas Observer named Gray Matters the Best Gallery in 1992 and Best Alternative Gallery Space in 1998.
The building at 113 N. Haskell Avenue, in Dallas's Deep Elum neighborhood, has an interesting and varied history. Before it was a gallery, the building was a grocery store, saloon, restaurant/speakeasy, and auto parts warehouse.
Note written by Hillary Bober
Extent
2.50 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The collection documents the activities of Gray Matters Gallery, an alternative gallery space in Dallas showing emerging artists that primarily operated from 1991-2005. The gallery was founded and directed by David Szafranski and Vance Wingate. The majority of the records document the exhibitions and events held at Gray Matters Gallery between 1991 and 2005.
Arrangement
The records are arranged in three series. Series 1. Gallery Exhibitions and Events, 1991-2005 is arranged chrononologically by opening date of an exhibition or date of the event. Series 2. Gallery Administration, 1991-2005 is arranged alphabetically by topic. Series 3. Special Exhibitions, 2006-2013 is arranged chronologically by the opening date of an exhibition or date of the event.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Digital files currently located on CD. Some images are in slide format.
Custodial History
The records were maintained at Gray Matters Gallery by the gallery director prior to donation to the archives.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The Gray Matters Gallery records were donated to the DMA Archives by Vance Wingate June 14, 2013.
The collection was acquired by the DMA Archives as part of the DallasSITES (history of contemporary art in Dallas, 1963-present) research project (2011-2013).
Exhibition Dates Note
Dates given for exhibitions are the dates the exhibition was on view; creation dates for documents in the file may be before or after the on view dates.
Processing Information
Collection was processed by Hillary Bober in September 2013. Original order was maintained.
Additional description/notes were added for DACS compliance and ArchivesSpace local usage guidelines in 2021.
- Title
- Finding Aid to the Gray Matters Gallery Records
- Author
- Hillary Bober
- Date
- 09/24/2013
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Dallas Museum of Art Archives Repository