FIRST STREET GALLERY, founded 1969, has moved several times from its original home on the Lower East Side to its present location in the Chelsea art district. In the late 1960s, after years of abstract movements, many artists felt the need to return to figuration. Inspired by the Renaissance masters, a group of Brooklyn College graduate students and other artists affiliated with the Alliance of Figurative Artists in NYC, formed First Street Gallery as an artists’ collective and an exhibition venue for figurative art.
Throughout its history, First Street has remained an artist-run gallery. Over the years, the Gallery has broadened the scope of its initial vision, as new members have absorbed and responded to a plethora of visual influences. Today, the Gallery embraces a broad spectrum of styles and mediums that engage its artists in new means of creative experimentation and expression. Each artist is inspired by the traces of his or her own artistic history and exploration.
In 1981, the First Street Gallery was incorporated as a nonprofit. It has steadily deepened its commitment to member and nonmember artists alike, and for more than 30 years, has held an annual National Juried Exhibition for outside artists. In the past decade, the Gallery has provided additional opportunities such as MFA Competitions, Pop Up Exhibitions, and a recently inaugurated installation which showcased the works of 9 artists for 19 days. First Street also continues its long tradition of Invitational Group or Solo Exhibitions.
FIRST STREET GALLERY is located at 547 West 27th Street, Suite 514, New York, NY 10001.
