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The Jefferson Gallery opened in February of 1963 at 7606 Girard Avenue in La Jolla. A joint venture of Elizabeth and Thomas Jefferson, it would showcase many of the areas most talented and progressive artists over the the next four years. The premiere exhibition, a group show, presented the work of two local sculptors: Russell Forester and Jack Boyd, and five painters: Ethel Greene (San Diego), Paul Wonner, William Brown (both of San Francisco), Charles Sorel and Charles Farr. Gerald Nordland reviewed the Jeffersons’ inaugural show for San Diego & Point Magazine (March 1963) and saw the new gallery as representative of increasing change and modernization in the San Diego art scene. After a few months, plans were underway to build a new gallery at 7917 Ivanhoe, designed by their friend, the multi-talented Russell Forester. Opening with a block buster show of “100 Years of French Master Paintings” in April 1965, the new upstairs salon included a large main gallery, outdoor sculpture deck, offices and storage space. Monthly one-man and group exhibits presented local artists as well as those of international acclaim. Some of the best artists in town, including: Russell Baldwin, John D. Clark, Ethel Grene, Harold Gregor, Fred Holle, Sheldon Kirby, John Rogers and Dorothy Stratton would have shows before the end came. In April ’67, the Jefferson Gallery closed for “personal reasons.” In an article for San Diego & Point Magazine (May ’67) Marilyn Hagberg would liken its passing to the “death of a lion.” She described her reaction “I know I’m not the only one left shaken and shattered by the demise, and left wondering: Who will fill in the gaps this departure will create? Perhaps no one. Every show Tom mounted during the two and a half years I’ve been here was first-rate and exciting. He was not afraid of the new or controversial, but he always placed quality above novelty. It was an awfully impressive record, Tom Jefferson deserves a 21 gun salute.” - Dave Hampton (March 2005) |
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