feature image: Installation view of Purvis Young’s exhibition, Messenger of Salvation & Liberation, at Zolla/Lieberman Gallery from January 31 – March 8, 2025. Courtesy of Zolla/Lieberman Gallery.
Written by April Behnke
It’s not often you find a gallery about to celebrate half a century in business. Longevity in the art world is rare, yet Chicago’s Zolla/Lieberman Gallery has thrived by adapting to market shifts while staying true to its vision.
I stopped by their River North space to learn how they do it and what advice they have for emerging galleries and artists looking to make their mark.
The gallery opened in 1976, a time when Chicago lacked a strong art market. But their turning point came with co-founder Roberta Lieberman’s discovery of Deborah Butterfield, then based in Madison, WI, whose equine sculptures caught national interest.
“We gave Deborah her first show, and that’s when things really took off,” explained Director Brian Gillham.
Zolla/Lieberman Gallery has since kept up the pace, attuning to shifts in collectors’ tastes while remaining steadfast in their relationships with artists and collectors, many of whom, like Butterfield, have been with them for decades.
Now, with so many years of experience under their belt, Zolla/Lieberman Gallery has wisdom to share with emerging galleries.
Even in today’s digital world, personal connections remain essential, Gillham shared. “Build trust. Artists want to know they can rely on you, and collectors that they’re buying from someone with a long-standing reputation who’ll go the extra mile.”
Be realistic and secure in who you are too, he said. “Galleries need a distinct vision from the start. There should be something real behind your efforts.”
And what about advice for emerging artists?
“There is so much art out there and not enough galleries,” Gillham said. “Target spaces that align with where you are professionally, not where you want to be.”
Acknowledge that galleries are run by individuals. “When reaching out, know the gallery and the person you are contacting. Use their name,” he highlighted.
Lastly, a strong, cohesive, and substantial body of work is essential. “You need a vision that feels scalable and sincere,” he continued, “but you also need enough work to consistently fill a gallery’s space.”
Galleries and artists alike would be wise to heed Gillham’s advice. Zolla/Lieberman Gallery remains a Chicago mainstay for a reason.
To celebrate their upcoming anniversary, the gallery is organizing a special exhibition for summer 2026, featuring artists from their long history, including Deborah Butterfield, Vernon Fisher, and David Kroll.
For owner William Lieberman, the show will reflect a proud history and gratitude for the artists who have graced their walls. “It’s a memorial show for me, a chance to reflect on what my mother began and all the great work that’s come from that.”
Visit zollaliebermangallery.com to learn more and connect on Instagram at @zlgallery.
April Behnke is a Chicago-based painter and writer whose artistic practice centers on the building and breaking of patterns. She received her MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2011 and her BFA from Cornell University in 2006. Behnke has exhibited nationally and internationally, including at the Rockford Art Museum and the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts. Though born in Boston, Behnke has roots in the Midwest and a passion for exploring the region’s art scene.