Today we’d like to introduce you to Douglas Marshall.
Hi Douglas, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Texas where I went to university in Austin to study photography and art before moving to Los Angeles in 2011 to pursue a career in those fields. Having worked at the University’s art gallery and helped to produce a lecture series with important photographers, I gravitated towards exhibition production and project management within the art industry. I could never see myself living in New York City, so to pursue bigger things in the field Los Angeles seemed, at the time at least, the only other option. I knew it was a place where there are an infinite number of creative collaborators and innovators and I wanted to be among them. After a short stint at Kayne Griffin Corcoran (now PACE Gallery), I ended up at Peter Fetterman Gallery in Santa Monica’s Bergamot Station where by age 26, I had become the Director and was tasked with managing a fast-paced production schedule of exhibitions and international art fairs. During this time, curating shows began to draw much of my attention and after five years, I moved on to focus on building my own roster of artists and find a curatorial niche for my own gallery. Marshall Contemporary launched in 2018 as a series of private pop-ups and small art fair presentations before opening the first full-time exhibition space on Venice Beach’s Abbot Kinney in 2021 and then moving to the current location, re-opened as Marshall Gallery at Santa Monica’s Bergamot Station in December 2021.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Well, I left the last Gallery Director position that I held in January of 2020 to pursue launching my gallery that year. For obvious reasons, that was unfortunate timing. The Covid pandemic and lockdown days put a requisite hold on those plans, though like everyone else, I had to pivot and try to keep the momentum going by holding a number online exhibitions (“viewing rooms”), virtual artist talks and trying to build the social media following. As the vaccines became readily available and things slowly began to open up, I pushed forward to open the first full-time gallery space as “Marshall Contemporary” on Venice Beach’s Abbot Kinney Blvd in January of 2021. Of course, it was still very difficult to get people to come to the gallery or related events at that time, let alone purchase any works. But contrary to what many people think about the waning necessity of a brick and mortar gallery spaces in the e-commerce era, I think for a new gallery brand, it is crucial to have a permanent exhibition space, and that was always the goal anyways.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Marshall Gallery works to promote the work of photography-based artists with an emphasis on experimental processes, printmaking craftsmanship and conceptual innovation. Through an expanding series of dialogue-focused events including unique exhibitions, artist talks, special events and art fair presentations, the gallery hopes to expand the conversation about photography’s ever-evolving place in contemporary art and its role in shaping our collective memory. The collection includes both contemporary and vintage works from a range of international artists. On behalf of our clients, the gallery takes great pride in the presentation and conservation of all works fulfilling acquisitions with elegant, museum-quality framing.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Education and a shared passion about the artists and exhibitions is first and foremost our role when you visit the gallery. We are free and open to the public Tuesday-Saturday and rotate exhibitions every six weeks. Patronage through artwork and book acquisitions are the best way to support the artists and gallery. We also offer private consulting services to artists and occasional professional workshops. Stop by and spread the word!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.marshallgallery.art
- Instagram: instagram.com/marshall.gallery
Image Credits
Nikolai Ishchuk Tilt Shift, Douglas 2020 by Christopher Thomas Gallery Visitors, Megan Cerminaro, July 2022 ExV27, Marshall Gallery Pre Myth
