Guide to the Matrix Gallery collection
Morgan Braun
California State University, Sacramento Donald & Beverly Gerth Special Collections and University Archives
University Library
2000 State University Drive
Sacramento, CA 95819-6039
Business Number: 916-278-6144
Fax Number: 916-278-4887
lib-scua@csus.edu
Contributing Institution:
California State University, Sacramento Donald & Beverly Gerth Special Collections and University Archives
Title: Matrix Gallery collection
Identifier/Call Number: MSS 2017/09
Physical Description:
0.5 Linear Feet
(Contains 1 manuscript box)
Date (inclusive): 1979-2017
Date (bulk): 1980-2000
Abstract: The Matrix Gallery collection contains photographs, administrative documents, correspondence, gallery announcements, schedules,
and exhibition promotions relating to the women run gallery and workshop in Sacramento.
Condition Description: Good
Language of Material:
English
.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research. Some restrictions may apply.
Accruals
No additions are expected.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The Matrix Gallery collection was donated to the Donald & Beverly Gerth Special Collections & University Archives in 2017.
Biographical / Historical
In 1977, 15 women opened the Matrix Workshop of Women artists. Later known as just the Matrix Gallery, it initially served
as an exclusive space for women artists. They offered classes, workshops, lectures, and art shows. The space allowed for the
expression of several different mediums. Workshop instructors and fellow artists, taught skills in metal working, sculpting,
painting, and more. During a time when men controlled the art world, membership steadily grew over the years as more women
found the gallery to be a safe and inviting place to create and display art. The gallery grew into a support network for many
of the members. Some of the artists included Dixie Laws, Laureen Landau, Jorjana Holden, Holley Junker, and Marty Renault.
In the 1990s the gallery began to allow men to become members. Membership rose to over 100 artists. In 1996 the gallery, which
originally opened in Oak Park in Sacramento but moved several times throughout the years, moved to its final destination on
Del Paso Boulevard. It's name changed to MatrixArts and the focus shifted to being a shared community art space, rather than
an art gallery. While MatrixArts continued to evolve, the original Matrix Gallery effectively ended in the late 1990s or early
2000s. In 2017 a brief reunion occurred. It celebrated the original artists and gallery with the creation of two art shows
displayed in Sacramento.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item including date], [Folder Title], MSS 2017/09, Matrix Gallery Collection, Donald & Beverly Gerth Special
Collections & University Archives, California State University, Sacramento.
Content Description
The collection consists of 8 folders. The materials remain in their original order, curated by the donor. Folders are arranged
alphabetically. Materials in the collection include a DVD, photographs, administrative documents, correspondence, gallery
announcements, schedules, and exhibition promotions. The collection includes materials from the years the gallery was open
(1977-2001), reflections from former member Marty Renault (recorded in 2016), and materials about the reunion shows (2017).
Materials are in English.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright is protected by the copyright law, Chapter 17 of the U.S. Code. Requests for permission to publish, quote, or reproduce
from collections must be submitted in writing to the Head of Department of the Donald & Beverly Gerth Special Collections
& University Archives. Permission for publication is given on the behalf of the the Donald & Beverly Gerth Special Collections
& University Archives, California State University, Sacramento as the owner of the physical item and is not intended to include
permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.
Related Materials
Julia Connor papers (MSS 2019/20)
Axis Gallery records (MSS 2019/25)
Sacramento Poetry Center records (2016/10)
box 1, folder 3
Gallery Programs and Exhibitions
1979-1992
box 1, folder 5
Matrix Archive [1 of 2]
1981-2016
box 1, folder 6
Matrix Archive [2 of 2]
1979-2017
box 1, folder 7
Matrix Gallery-PowerPoint presentation by Dixie Laws
2017
box 1, folder 8
Matrix: Workshop of Women Artists. As told by Marty Renault (DVD)
2016
box 1, folder 9
Newspaper Clippings and Articles
1986-1988
