Archives Directory for the History of Collecting in America

Archives related to: Roko Gallery

titleRoko Gallery records, 1929-1982.
repositoryArchives of American Art
descriptionThe bulk of the collection consists of artists' files and printed material. The remainder includes correspondence, scattered legal and financial records, administrative records, and photographs. Material pre-dating the founding of the gallery consists of printed material collected by gallery founder Michael Freilich.

Artists' files contain letters, exhibition catalogs and other printed material, original artwork, receipts, and lists and photographs of works. Among the nearly 200 artists are Murat Brierre, Faith Bromberg, Clare Burch, Lawrence Calcagno, Victor Candell, Arthur Cohen, Giuseppe Di Lieto, Edward Eichel, Ann Freilich, Dennis Fritz, Mary Heisig, Herbert Kallem, Doris Klein, Elizabeth Korn, Randall Morgan, Anne Parker, Dorothy Robbins, May Stevens, Hank Virgona, Walter Williams, and Jan Wunderman.

Correspondence, 1952-1979, is with gallery directors Michael Freilich and Cynthia Bernadini regarding general operations, artists interested in exhibiting at the gallery, and letters concerning Michael Freilich's death. In addition, there is a small group of postcards of a personal nature from Freilich to his niece, 1936. Financial material includes receipt books and invoices, 1964-1980; legal material includes artists consignment agreements, 1975-1977.

Also, mailing lists, labels, address books, visitor's registers, 1970-1978, and calendars, 1973-1978. Exhibition files relate only to anniversay exhibitions and a memorial exhibition for Michael Freilich. There are also exhibition price lists, 1967-1978, arranged alphabetically by artist, listing works exhibited, and event files relating to programs incorporated into gallery exhibitions, such as poetry readings. Printed material consists of scrapbooks of clippings, 1947-1966, exhibition announcements and catalogs of exhibitions at galleries other than Roko, 1929-1974, loose clippings and newsletters. Photographs, ca. 1970-1979, are of Freilich, Bernadini, Manu Sassonian, and friends.
extent6.0 linear ft.
formatsCorrespondence Financial Records Exhibition Catalogs Photographs Works of Art
accessUnmicrofilmed; use requires an appointment and is limited to Washington, D.C. storage facility.
record sourcehttp://www.siris.si.edu/
finding aidA list of artists' files is available in all AAA offices.
acquisition informationDonated 1975-1988 by Ann Freilich, sister of founder Michael Frielich, and by Cynthia Bernardi, former director of the gallery.
updated03/16/2023 10:29:48
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