Harlan, Pamela

The Harlan Gallery was opened in 1972 in Tucson, Arizona by Roger and Pamela Harlan. The Harlan Gallery concentrated on contemporary artists of the Southwest that who had few venues or galleries that were showing contemporary art. Many of the artists that they showcased have gone on to make a name for themselves in the art world and in other mediums. Some examples would include Jürgen Partenheimer who became one of the foremost contemporary artists working in Germany today; Ron Shelton, a screen writer and movie director for such films as Bill Durham and White Men Can’t Jump ; Karen Truax, a leading female photographer; and Luis Jiménez, a nationally acclaimed sculptor of fiberglass art pieces. These and other Tucson artists were given the opportunity to share their creativity through the Harlan Gallery. The gallery closed in 1978. Shortly after closing, Roger Harlan became the Interim Director at the Tucson Museum of Art, and later was Deputy Director of the Arizona Commission on the Arts in Phoenix. Pamela Harlan helped facilitate the gifting of the Lawrence J. Heller collection, acquired by her father, to the Tucson Museum of Art.