Miami, Florida
She was born January 14, 1937 at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Florida. In her early years, she lived at 327 Jefferson Avenue in Miami Beach and later attended Miami Senior High School.
She attended Sophie Newcomb College (Tulane University) between 1955-1957. She graduated from the University of Miami in 1958 with a BA double-majoring in American Civilization and Art History.
In 1979, she opened Barbara Gillman Gallery on Biscayne Boulevard. In 1992, she moved her gallery to Lincoln Road and also opened Dish to sell various eclectic items.
She also had galleries in Wynwood, Buena Vista and the Design District and partnered with another gallerist in Tampa, West Palm Beach and Boca Raton.
The artists she represented included Andy Warhol, James Rosenquist, Herman Leonard, Nam June Paik, Martin Kreloff, Robert Thiele, Baruj Salinas, Castano, Purvis Young, Claudia Demonte, Gilberto Ruiz, Stacy Mancuso, Carlos Macia, Rosemarie Chiarlone, Ward Shelley, Judith Page, Emory Clark, Robert Calvo, Joseph Davoli, Dina Knapp, Janet Paparelli, Deb Putnoi and many many more.
She was a trustee on the Dade County Performing Arts Center Trust, VP of National Council of Jewish Women, VP of Greater Miami Jewish Federation South Dade Women’s Group and Chairman of the Parent Student Council South Dade Pinecrest Area.
In 1994, she organized the First Gallery Walk on Lincoln Road. She also helped create the Cultural Arts Council and served on various committees for the City of Miami Beach. She was involved with the Miami-Dade Art in Public Places, Miami-Dade Public Library and the Miami-Dade Public Schools After School Art Program.
She provided artwork for major motion pictures such as Any Given Sunday and Bad Boys and the hit television series Miami Vice.
She championed local and regional artists and helped put Miami on the ArtMap. She introduced artists that achieved national recognition, prestigious grants, museum shows, and awards in juried exhibitions throughout the United States.
She had a deep love for her family and the Arts. She was a longtime supporter of Temple Judaea in Coral Gables. She also kept score at Khoury League Baseball and Softball games for all four kids at Suniland Park.
She loved her dog Arty who was her constant companion at Belle Towers in Miami Beach.
She is predeceased by her parents Sam and Sylvia Seitlin, her sister Harriet Jackman, her grandparents Henry and Jennie Seitlin, and Marvin Gillman, her husband of 28 years.
She is survived by her children Ed, Henry (Jacqueline), Carolyn and Andrew (Karla); grandchildren Brooke, Lindsey, Daniel, Michael, Sarah, Saskya, Rebecca and Sophia.
A graveside service/Celebration of Life will be held at 1:30pm on Thursday April 27th at Mt Nebo Miami Memorial Gardens at 5505 NW 3rd Street.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to The Alzheimer’s Association or Friends of the Miami-Dade Public Library for The Vasari Project (an archive for Miami Art History).
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