Gallery Spotlight: Gallery on State

Location: 324-d State Street

Owner: Mark Hunt

Date Opened: August 2, 2007

Focus: Owner Mark Hunt, an immediately personable owner with an articulate appreciation for the art on his walls, left his first career as an Los Angeles film director to explore his enjoyment of contemporary art. Born in Santa Barbara, he expressed his wish to bring more works like those his gallery displays to the community by unveiling bold colors, an effective use of minimalism, and vibrant, simple, evolved pieces. His simple and clean white space is designed specifically to bring people together in a shared study of paintings that “suit Santa Barbara.” The gallery specializes in artists with an organic approach, who create art to match their lives (ethnic, feminine, or urban qualities, for example).

Coming Exhibitions: Venice Beach artist, Amadea Bailey will be featured in an upcoming exhibition entitled “Big Color.” Her large-scale abstracts provide walls of vibrant colors and visual saturation of cobalt and crimson that seems tailor-made for our beach front city.

Hours and Contact: Thursday 12-9, Friday and Saturday 12-5 and by appt. Call 698-2174 or visit galleryonstate.com

Ellen O’Connell is an Independent intern.