McLellan Galleries
{{Short description|Exhibition space in Glasgow, Scotland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2017}}
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File:Glasgow, the McLellan Galleries building - geograph.org.uk - 1534159.jpg
File:Archibald McLellan by Robert Cree Crawford Cree (after John Graham-Gilbert).jpg (after John Graham-Gilbert)]]
The McLellan Galleries are a major exhibition space in the city of Glasgow, Scotland, situated behind a frontage of shops and offices in Sauchiehall Street.
History
As part of the city's expansion on Blythswood Hill spearheaded by William Harley,Glasgow's Blythswood, by Graeme Smith, published 2022 www.blythswoodsmith.co.uk the Galleries were built in 1855-6 to a design by architect James Smith of Blythswood Square at a cost of £40,000.{{cite web|publisher=Dictionary of Scottish Architects|title =DSA Building/Design Report: McLellan Art Gallery and warehouse | url =http://www.scottisharchitects.org.uk/building_full.php?id=100714 | access-date =24 August 2014 }} They are named after their founder, Archibald McLellan (1795–1854), a coach builder, councillor and patron of the arts.{{cite news|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-23572855.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140921200444/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-23572855.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 September 2014|title=Women's monument to a forgotten hero; McLellan Galleries founder honoured after 140 years|last=McDermid|first=Alan|date=1 July 2004|work=Glasgow Herald|access-date=24 August 2014}} Following his death, Glasgow Corporation acquired the galleries and collection,{{cite news|jstor=23408140|title=FURNITURE AND PLENISHING FOR 1 PARK TERRACE, GLASGOW|last=Smith|first=George Fairfull|date=2012|work=Furniture History Society }} and for a time they were known as the Corporation Halls before reverting to their former owner's name. The Galleries housed Glasgow School of Art from 1869 to 1899.{{cite web|url=http://www.gsa.ac.uk/about-gsa/history-and-future/our-history/|title=Our History|publisher=Glasgow School of Art|access-date=24 August 2014}}
In October 1986, the shop frontage building housing the Galleries was ravaged by fire,{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/aberdeen/galleries-with-their-own-artistic-merit-1.588097|title=Galleries with their own artistic merit|last=Paterson|first=Wilma|date=2 March 1990|work=Glasgow Herald|access-date=24 August 2014}} but they re-opened in 1990 as the largest quality, climate-controlled, temporary exhibition gallery in Scotland. They continue to be the largest exhibition space in the city-centre.
While Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum was closed for refurbishment between 2003 and 2006, the McLellan Galleries hosted a display of its best-loved works.
The McLellan Galleries were then leased to the Glasgow School of Art as studio and storage space in preparation for the planned redevelopment of the Glasgow School of Art campus.
Since 2012 there has been public discussion involving user organisations such as the Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts{{cite news|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-34630291.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140921194813/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-34630291.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 September 2014|title=Reopening the McLellan Galleries Will Restore Access to Our Cultural Heritage|last=Currie|first=Karin Spalter|date=10 May 2013|work=Glasgow Herald|access-date=24 August 2014}} with a view to re-establishing the McLellan Galleries as a major feature in Glasgow’s cultural life.{{cite news|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-35845801.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140921200328/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-35845801.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 September 2014|title=Council Plans Fresh Lease of Life for McLellan Galleries|last=Miller|first=Phil|date=26 March 2014|work=Glasgow Herald|access-date=24 August 2014}}
The galleries have been protected as a category B listed building since 1970.{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB33192|desc=254-290 (Even Nos) Sauchiehall Street, 5, 7 Rose Street, 2, 6 Dalhousie Street and 145, 147, 149 Renfrew Street, McLellan Galleries|cat=B|access-date=28 March 2019}}
References
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External links
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- [http://www.glasgowmuseums.com/venue/index.cfm?venueid=6 Glasgow Museums' website on the McLellan]
- [http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/Residents/Leisure_Culture/Museums_Galleries/Venues/McLellanGalleries/ Glasgow City Council's page on the McLellan Galleries]
{{Scottish Museums and Art Galleries}}
{{Glasgow museums}}
Category:Art museums and galleries in Glasgow
Category:Glasgow School of Art
Category:Category B listed buildings in Glasgow
Category:Art museums and galleries established in 1856