Arwin Galleries records
name: label: Creator
content: Arwin Galleries (Detroit, Mich.)
label: Names
content: Arwin, Kathleen G., 1915-1981
label: Names
content: Arwin, Lester B., 1906-1981
label: Names
content: Shahn, Ben, 1898-1969
label: Names
content: Yunkers, Adja, 1900-1983
topic: label: Topic
content: Women art dealers
label: Topic
content: Social realism
label: Topic
content: Abstract expressionism
label: Topic
content: Modernism (Art)
acqinfo: label: Provenance
content: The Arwin Galleries records were donated in 1981, 1984, 2021 and 2025 by Melanie Arwin, the daughter of Lester and Kathleen Arwin.
creator: label: Creator
content: Arwin Galleries (Detroit, Mich.)
setName: label: See more items in
content: Arwin Galleries records
abstract: label: Summary
content: The records of Detroit art gallery Arwin Galleries measure 8.75 linear feet and date from 1948 to 1981. The collection comprises administrative records including sales, a financial ledger of artists' account consignment and loan records; personal and professional correspondence; artist files for Chuang Chi, Richard Kozlow, Ben and Bernarda Bryson Shahn, Jo Snyder, Russel Thayer, Adja Yunkers, and others; printed materials documenting the 1963 fire at the gallery, exhibitions, and other activities related to the gallery; artwork by Frederick Simper, Donald Snydor, and a few others; and photographic materials and moving images including photos of the Arwins, gallery artists, and exhibitions, and two film reels relating to the gallery fire.

There is a circa 50 item unprocessed addition to this collection donated in 2025 that includes approval slips for sales records. Materials date from 1970-1980.
bioghist: label: Biographical / Historical
content: The Arwin Galleries (est. 1963-1981) was founded by Lester and Kathleen (Kitty) Arwin in Detroit, Michigan.

Although intending to move to Chicago in the 1930s, Lester Arwin found himself remaining in Detroit due to lack of funds. There he spent time observing Diego Rivera painting the murals at the Detroit Institute of Art. He also visited Rivera's studio and purchased his first piece of artwork, thus beginning his career as an art collector and dealer. Arwin served as director of Grinnell Art Galleries prior to opening his own business.

In 1963, Lester and his wife Kitty opened the Arwin Galleries, specializing in contemporary art, in Robinsons Furniture Store on Washington Boulevard. A fire at the gallery in 1963 destroyed approximately $300,000 worth of artwork, including works by Picasso with an estimated value of $150,000. The Arwin Galleries reopened at W. Grand River in 1965. The Arwins worked closely with many renowned artists such as Richard Kozlow, Ben Shahn, and numerous others.

Lester and Kitty Arwin died in 1981.
function: label: Function
content: Art galleries, Commercial -- Michigan
physdesc: label: Extent
content: 8.75 Linear Feet
unitdate: label: Date
content: 1948-1981
dataSource: label: Archival Repository
content: Archives of American Art
identifier: label: Identifier
content: AAA.arwigall
objectType: label: Type
content: Collection descriptions
label: Type
content: Archival materials
label: Type
content: Drawings
label: Type
content: Motion pictures
arrangement: label: Arrangement
content: The collection is arranged as seven series.

Series 1: Administrative Records, 1959-1981 (2.5 linear feet; Boxes 1-3, 13, OV 11)

Series 2: Correspondence, 1958-1981 (0.4 linear feet; Box 3)

Series 3: Artist's Files, 1948-1981 (4.0 linear feet; Boxes 3-7, 13, OV 11)

Series 4: Printed Materials, 1956-1981 (0.4 linear feet; Boxes 7-8, OV 11)

Series 5: Artwork, circa 1970s (0.2 linear feet; Box 3)

Series 6: Photographic Materials and Moving Images, circa 1950-1981 (0.8 linear feet; Box 3, FC 12)

Series 7: Unprocessed Addition, 1970-1980 (circa 50 items; Folder 13)
processinfo: label: Processing Information
content: The collection was processed, and a finding aid prepared by Sarah Mundy in 2020. The 2021 addition was processed and added to the finding aid by Christopher DeMairo in 2022.
genre_format: label: Genre/Form
content: Drawings
label: Genre/Form
content: Motion pictures
scopecontent: label: Scope and Contents
content: The records of Detroit art gallery Arwin Galleries measure 8.75 linear feet and date from 1948 to 1981. The collection comprises administrative records containing sales records, consignment and loan records, appraisals, framing and graphics orders, a financial ledger of artists' accounts, and other administrative documents; personal and professional correspondence; artist's files for Chuang Chi, Richard Kozlow, Ben and Bernarda Bryson Shahn, Jo Snyder, Russel Thayer, Adja Yunkers, and others; printed materials documenting the 1963 fire at the gallery, exhibitions, and other articles related to the gallery; artwork by Frederick Simper, Donald Snydor, and a few others; and photographic materials and moving images include portraits and candid shots of the Arwins, gallery installations and openings, artists, works of art, and two film reels relating to the fire at the gallery. 

There is a circa 50 item unprocessed addition to this collection donated in 2025 that includes approval slips for sales records. Materials date from 1970-1980.