Zolla/Lieberman: a golden vision for a 50th anniversary

This spring, Zolla/Lieberman gallery celebrates its 50th anniversary, placing it among Chicago's longest running contemporary art galleries and the very first to open its doors in River North. William Lieberman, son of co-founder Roberta Lieberman, marks this milestone with Golden Vision - a group exhibition that includes 150 artists who have contributed to Zolla/Lieberman's artistic legacy.

That legacy began on a trip to Paris in 1964 with both Zollas and Liebermans. Roberta Lieberman was an interior designer; Bob Zolla owned a paint and wallpaper company; and their work together on residential projects in the Chicago area led to a friendship between them and their spouses.

As the two couples strolled along the banks of the Seine, Bob observed tourists buying paintings at kiosks and noted that there was money to be made in art. Intrigued, Roberta replied that if they were to sell art, they would sell serious works, not souvenirs. To do that, they would need to better educate themselves.

They returned from Europe with a mission. Bob's wife, Betty, who worked at the University of Chicago's Quadrangle Club, brought home the university's continuing education catalog, and Bob and Roberta signed up for a contemporary art class offered at the school. When they arrived the first day, the room was empty except for instructor Harry Bouras. No one else had signed up. If they provided lunch, Bouras proposed, he would teach them privately.