Ward Jackson collection of the "Art Now Gallery Guide"

Ward Jackson collection of the "Art Now Gallery Guide"

Collection Overview

Repository:
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum Archives.
Creator:
Jackson, Ward, 1928-2004.
Title:
Ward Jackson collection of the "Art Now Gallery Guide"
Call Number:
M0016
Dates:
1971-1977
Volume:
.35 cubic ft. (1 box)
Biographical Abstract:
William Ward Jackson (WWJ) was born on September 10, 1928 in Petersburg, Virginia. He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in fine arts from the Richmond Professional Institute of the College of William and Mary. In 1955, he was hired to work at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (SRGM) by its then director, Hilla Rebay. WWJ worked at the museum from 1955 until his retirement from his positions as archivist and director of viewing program in 1994. In 1969 WWJ co-founded the "Art Now Gallery Guide" with Roger Peskin and Paul Katz. An esteemed contemporary and Abstract Expressionist artist, WWJ's work has been exhibited world-wide and can be found in collections of many museums including SRGM.
Scope and Content Abstract:
The Ward Jackson collection of the "Art Now Gallery Guide" consists of guides edited and collected by William Ward Jackson (WWJ) from 1971-1977. The guides are annotated by WWJ. The gallery guides feature maps showing gallery locations throughout New York City, as well as small reproductions of the work of many other contemporary artists. A small reproduction of WWJ's work can be found in the April 1975 issue.
Location:
CF
Language:
Collection is primarily in English.
Arrangement:
Organized in one chronological sequence by date.
Restrictions:
The collection in unrestricted.
Publication Rights:
Requests for permission to publish material from this collection should be discussed with the Manager of the Library and Archives.
Preferred Citation:
Ward Jackson collection of the "Art Now Gallery Guide." M0016. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum Archives, New York, NY.
Subjects:
Art -- New York (State) -- New York -- Periodicals.
Art Galleries.
Art, Modern -- 20th century -- Periodicals.
Contributors:
Art Now, Inc.
Brescia, Frank.
Katz, Paul.
Peskin, Roger.
Shor, Bernice.
Finding aid prepared by Jennella Young in October 2007.

Biographical Note

William Ward Jackson (WWJ) born September 10, 1928 in Petersburg, Virginia. More commonly referred to as Ward Jackson, WWJ earned his BFA, 1951, and his MFA, 1952, from the Richmond Professional Institute of the College of William and Mary. He also studied briefly under Hans Hoffman before going on to teach and direct the Morse Gallery of Art at Rollins College.

In 1955, after an almost ten year correspondence with co-founder and then director of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (SRGM) Hilla Rebay (HR) regarding his art work, WWJ moved to New York where he was hired by HR to work at the museum. WWJ remained at the museum until he retired in 1994, working his way up from general assistant working alongside now known contemporary artist Dan Flavin in the museum's mailroom to archivist in the early 1970's.

Throughout his tenure at SRGM, WWJ continued to pursue his artistic career building upon the work and attention he received after participating in the 1949 American Abstract Artists annual exhibition by producing paintings and participating in shows that defined pivotal moments in Abstract Expressionism, contemporary art and Minimalism. His work has been exhibited in solo and group shows world-wide and can currently be found in the collections of many museums including SRGM.

In 1969 WWJ co-founded the "Art Now: New York" publication, now known as the "Art Now Gallery Guide," with Roger Peskin and Paul Katz. The publication initially featured full page reproductions and statements from artists such as Jasper Johns, Louise Bourgeois and Donald Judd, before transforming into a comprehensive guide to the growing collective of New York City galleries. WWJ served as the advising editor of the publication until 1998 and died six years after on February 3, 2004.

Bibliography

"Ward Jackson, 75, Painter and Guggenheim Archivist." The New York Times, Feb 8, 2004.
Interview with Ward Jackson (1974). A0010. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum Archives, New York, NY.
"Ward Jackson, A Life in Painting, 1928 – 2004." Metaphor Contemporary Art. http://www.metaphorcontemporaryart.com/AP_WarJac.html (accessed September 21, 2007).
"Ward Jackson – Heat at the Edges: A Conversation with Julian Jackson by Matthew Deleget" Minus Space Reductive Art. http://www.minusspace.com/log/deleget-jackson.htm (accessed September 21, 2007).
Who's Who in America. 45th ed. Ward Jackson, 1988-89.

Scope and Content Note

The "Art Now Gallery Guide" created in 1969 and still in production at the present (2007) has evolved substantially. From its inception, the guide served to document and introduce the works of contemporary artists by documenting the exhibition of their work throughout New York City galleries.

The Ward Jackson collection of the "Art Now Gallery Guide" consists of guides edited and collected by William Ward Jackson (WWJ) from 1971-1977. The guides are annotated by William Ward Jackson and a small reproduction of his work can be found in the April 1975 issue.

It is important to note that some issues of the monthly publication are missing. Please see the folder list for a detailed list of available records.

Folder List

BoxFolderTitleDate
000560March 1971 – May 1971 1971
000560June 1971 – August 1971, October 1971 1971
000560January 1972 – March 1972 1972
000560April 1972 – May 1972 1972
000560September 1972 – December 1972 1972
000560January 1973 – March 1973 1973
000560April 1973 – June 1973 1973
000560September 1973, November 1973 – December 1973 1973
000560February 1974, April 1974 – May 1974 1974
000560Summer 1974, September 1974 – October 1974 1974
000560November 1974 – December 1974 1974
000560January 1975– March 1975 1975
000560April 1975 – Summer 1975 1975
000560November 1975 – December 1975 1975
000560February 1976 – April 1976 1976
000560May 1976, Summer 1976, September 1976 1976
000560October 1976 – December 1976 1976
000560January 1977– March 1977 1977
000560April 1977 – Summer 1977 1977
000560September 1977 – December 1977 1977