About S. Collier Gwin
Founder & President, Foster Gwin Gallery
S. Collier Gwin has been a fixture in San Francisco’s arts and antiques community for over four decades. As founder and president of the Foster Gwin Gallery, established in 1984 in Jackson Square, Gwin built a reputation for discerning curation, integrity, and a deep respect for cultural history.
Initially specializing in 16th- to 18th-century European antiques, the gallery evolved under Gwin’s guidance into a nationally respected destination for Bay Area Abstract Expressionism—particularly works from the vital post-war period of 1945 to 1965. His commitment to preserving and elevating this regional movement has helped bring long-overdue recognition to its artists and legacy.
Known among collectors and colleagues for his generous mentorship and encyclopedic knowledge of art and design, Gwin has exhibited at major shows including the Winter Art and Antiques Show in New York, Art Miami, and Art Palm Beach, while continuing to work closely with institutions, scholars, and private collectors.
A longtime San Franciscan, Gwin believes deeply in the role of art to create connection and reflection, and in the value of local stewardship. His gallery remains not just a place to acquire art, but a quiet haven for connoisseurship, conversation, and continuity in a rapidly changing city.