Installation Gallery Back With New Look

Installation Gallery is back with a new gallery, a new director and plans to open within the next couple of weeks with a show of work by San Diego sculptor-installation artist Mario Lara.

The provocative downtown gallery space closed its doors for lack of funds in the spring of 1989 in the midst of a controversy over a billboard depicting the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. The billboard, which was designed by a group of local artists, had used a grant from the city to criticize San Diego for refusing to name the new convention center after the civil rights leader.

Under fire from the City Council, Installation’s 1989-90 appropriation from the city arts council first eliminated from the city budget and then reinstated but limited to funding only the annual Artwalk, a downtown arts festival that includes multiple galleries organized by Installation. Without the city’s support, Installation’s board announced that it was in the red and suspended all operations except Artwalk.

Before closing, the decade-old organization had regularly exhibited art by local and national artists, much of it with a socio-political orientation.

John Craig Freeman, an artist who has just completed graduate work at the University of Colorado, is the gallery’s new director; he said Installation will open “within the next couple of weeks” in a 700-square-foot exhibition space at 719 E St., less than half the size of the former gallery space.

“We’re going to scale things back,” Freeman said. “But we’re moving ahead. I feel that Installation needs to service local artists that are trying to develop their careers.” The gallery will no longer focus on bringing in national shows, Freman said, and instead will attempt to “provide opportunities for young local artists from the region.” Installation also will serve as a resource center for artists, Freeman said, providing referrals for artists for grants and jobs.

Freeman said dates for the opening show have not yet been confirmed, as some “logistical factors are still being finalized, such as getting the space insured.”

He also said the gallery is in the process of reviewing proposals from local artists for future shows.

This year’s Artwalk will be presented by the gallery April 27-28, Freeman said. He said that he expects the outdoor festival to be the similar to past years.