Washburn Gallery in New York to Close After 53 Years Due to Market Crisis

The Washburn Gallery, founded in 1971 by Joan and Brian Washburn, will close its Chelsea space within two months due to a downturn in the art market. The gallery initially opened on 57th Street in Manhattan, gaining recognition for its inaugural exhibition featuring Joshua Johnson, one of the first documented African American artists. Over five decades, it showcased American artists such as Martin Johnson Heade, Jean Xceron, Georgia O'Keeffe, Lee Krasner, and Jackson Pollock. In 2017, after 25 years, it relocated from its historic space to 177 10th Avenue in Chelsea, alongside major galleries like David Zwirner and Gagosian. Despite a strong exhibition history and consistent presence at art fairs since the 2000s, founders cited a post-pandemic shift in collector behavior and cost-cutting at fairs as reasons for closure. Brian Washburn told ARTnews that the gallery will continue representing artists online and engaging in research with museums, curators, and collectors. The closure follows similar moves by JTT, Metro Pictures, and Cheim & Read in recent years.