Arts International Gallery

Arts International Gallery was a notable tenant at Monroeville Mall during the 1970s and 1980s, primarily remembered today for its prominent appearance in George A. Romero's 1978 horror film Dawn of the Dead.

Movie Fame and Location

• The "Blue Hallway": The gallery was located near the famous service corridor where the four survivors established their hideout. In the film, characters are frequently seen running past its storefront during the initial takeover of the mall.
• Storefront Features: During the 1977–1978 filming, the store featured large glass display windows that showcased various paintings and sculptures, which provided a stark, artistic contrast to the chaos of the zombie "shoppers".

Store History

• Mall Original: The gallery was part of the earlier eras of the mall when it emphasized a mix of high-end art and local boutiques alongside major anchors like Gimbels and Joseph Horne Co..
• Closure: Like many original boutiques, Arts International Gallery closed several decades ago as the mall transitioned toward more national retail chains and eventually underwent significant interior renovations in the mid-1980s.
• Modern Successor: While the specific gallery is long gone, the mall later hosted the Monroeville Art Gallery and currently houses the Tilt Museum, which provides a contemporary interactive art experience.

The strongest corporate record is a July 2, 1969 Securities and Exchange Commission notice for Arts & Leisure Corporation, also headquartered at 58 East Walton Street, Chicago.

According to the SEC filing, Arts & Leisure had been organized in March 1969 as the successor to several preexisting businesses. Its operations included:

A nationwide chain of 23 art galleries:

• The sale of original paintings and sculpture
• Christmas and greeting-card manufacturing
• Gifts and novelty merchandise
• Chicago restaurants, supper clubs and cabaret theaters

The company’s board chairman was Jack Solomon Jr., while Burton Wall served as president. Solomon owned approximately 22.7 percent of the company at the time of the filing.