Subtext Gallery

Whether you are looking to see some pretty rad art (and meet the artists), or trying to cure your latest hankering for vintage art … This place, in a nutshell, has it going on.

I love this place, it is perfect for a quaint little show. they always seem to have entertainment on the roof and the socializing is super fun to meet new people out and about!

I first stumbled across Subtext a few years back when they were located by the trolley stop. I loved the vibe and all the merchandise. My daughter, who was around 7 always wanted to stop in to see what cool things they had in stock.
Yearsssssssssss later… I finally made it to their new location and felt like an ass when my daughter, friend and I walked into their office… They staff was very friendly and understanding when I told them I have not been to this location. They walked us downstairs… still feeling like asses, to the gallery. The exhibit was sick!!! I purchased my daughters first piece of art as well as one for myself.
I am saving up to buy more pieces soon!

We happened to park across the street from this gallery while on the way to an AWESOME Yelle concert at the Casbah. We were completely drawn in by the gallery opening that was going on. Tons of people, a band upstairs… this place really surprised me.
First of all, you walk in and your first thought is «wow, this place is kinda small». Then you notice people are disappearing around the corner. Where might they be going? As you come around that corner, you notice a narrow staircase leading to??? I thought it was maybe just a loft balcony over the main space. Nope! Super surprising!
We came out onto, yes, a balcony overlooking the main gallery space. But there’s a whole separate gallery up there! We found a really great piece of art up there, and ended up taking it home that very night. The patio doors were open, and there was a bar serving beer and wine (we didn’t partake) and a food truck!?! (Miho was there). Who knew the road went up there!!! There was a BAND and a ton of PEOPLE. The vibe was fantastic.
I can’t wait to go back for another opening when I’m not in a rush to go somewhere else. This place is über cool, and the are was fantastic. I’m stoked.

I’ve driven by this spot dozens of times, but had no idea it was there until I went with a friend to check out the work of J. Grant Brittain and the portraits he took of past and present professional skateboarders. His work itself is very impressive, so if you have time to check it out (which is on display through August 29^th), you should go!
We were here for a quick look of his work and to enjoy the complimentary appetizers, beer and wine provided by The Tractor Room. It was the opening night of Grant’s work, so it was a packed crowd mixed with artists and skaters all there to enjoy his work. I was neither, but had a great time as a spectator and appreciated that he took the time to chat with us just as we were leaving.
Suttext is a cool spot. The street level first floor is very small, but the second floor opens up to a very airy outdoor patio that has plenty of room for you to socialize comfortably. We spent most of our time out here, but got to take a better look of his work right before we left as the crowd made their way upstairs.
I love what Little Italy has to offer and need to explore more of it soon with my DSLR; there were so many cool things to take pics of from just walking a block from the car to the gallery, which includes this cute little gallery called Subtext.

Where else can you get a kozyndan original for under a $ 100? I normally head to LA for my gallery gazing, but I was quite happily surprised at their comicon collaboration. Well done!!! I can’t wait to check out more exhibits here in the future.

Went to «Strange Days» here about a month ago, and the art was really cool, edgy and different.
Folks here are really down to earth, and the live band was great.

great place to see new and upcoming artists’ work. fun staff and knows how to throw a good party.

I can’t believe no one has written about this art gallery in over 6 months! Well, I love this place. I just went to their new location for the first time in North Little Italy last week for an art reception/​after-​party and was very pleasantly surprised. I used to go to art shows at their other location all the time and was really excited to try this new place. When I first got there I didn’t realize there was an upstairs and I was so thrown aback by the size of the place, wondering why they relocated if they didn’t move to a more spacious place, but once I hit the upstairs I was in love with their new location. The upstairs is the office area but the walls are still covered with art. For the art opening, the terrace, which I’m more inclined to call a patio, had a band playing and there was plenty of space for people to mingle, drink and even dance. Like most streets in Little Italy, the cross street is on a slope, so the upstairs actually happens to be level with the street, which is why the terrace is more of a patio than anything else. The art gallery has such a city feeling to it, having a pretty good view of downtown.
I mean, I can go on about the pros of this art gallery. I love going for art openings at this place for the same reason I love going to any art opening, that I can go by myself and still have a great time and meet people. Everyone is just there to have a good time and enjoy the art. Unfortunately, I can’t afford the beautiful art they have on the walls, but I can still reap of the benefits of free wine (haha don’t tell anyone!). And besides the art they also have really cool books and toys, which I am more than happy to buy to support this great gallery so they keep having such wonderful events! Must try, sign up for their email list so you know when they are having art shows.

A little less spacious and less merchandise from their last location .
I attended one of their shows last night and had the chance to see the upstairs where the office space is at… I’m guessing. I love how the opening was a garage door and had a band set up their instruments. Even though I was not into the music and the weird girl dancing, I would definitely still come back like i always do.

Always something good going on, and I can’t wait for the new location to open up. I’ll be there for it this Friday!
A forward-​looking space for the art/​design-​minded.

I went to the reception for a recent showing at their space.
It was actually fun. The live music on hand by their DJs was actually very good and seamlessly flowed perfectly to fit the setting as well as the artwork being exhibited.
The art was quite refreshing — very different from what you’d see at most other shows in town. Aimed at the younger crowd. Very bright and spunky. The people — the artist showing, and the people working at Subtext — were very friendly, the location in Little Italy was very nice… the perfect spot to view new art, and if you want to give yourself or that artsy person you know a very unique gift.

A great and tiny art gallery and shop. My friend Susie had told me that an artist I very much admire, Anke Weckmann (
) had a piece up in a group show there, so I popped in to check it out. The space is rather small, but they make use of it without looking cluttered.
Anke’s piece of three girls was just lovely. I looked at the price which was actually in my price range and it was already framed. I couldn’t believe the piece had not sold. I talked with the guy working and he said he couldn’t believe it hadn’t sold either. I had already purchased one of Susie’s pieces from Giant Robot 2 in L.A., but Anke’s piece was just too lovely to not buy. so I bought it and they let me take it home with me that day since the show was only two days shy of being taken down. I am so glad I made that purchase. It was meant to be on my wall.

Subtext features some pretty amazing artists.
I came here a few months ago for an opening. They had a keg, DJ and some of the most awesome art I’ve seen in awhile.
The staff was really nice, and made conversation when I was toward his side of the room, and had me join the mailing list for future artists.
Subtext also has a wide selection of great books, and even accessories like wallets and bags.

Still rating this place a 5
I’ve been able to attend a few of their openings and they’re great. I was surprised that they draw such a full house! On all 3 of the openings I attended (Fri night) the place was packed and it is a small store so there were tons of ppl just hanging out outside and around. The organizers really put a lot of time and work into curating the shows to provide quality and a nice show. Check em out at their blog:
Peace!

i always come here if i’m looking for some inspiration. the gallery shows are always amazing and the selection of books are vast. and the workers know their lowbrow art!

Gah! The architectural rawness of this place thrills me! I have cruised by on multiple occasions thinking it was a private art studio. There is this great stenciled sign ‘Public’ off to the side of the entrance. The space is used so wisely.
Another gem to add to the list of Little Italy charms.
Sandra Equihua’s show ‘Beautiful Loss’ is currently being displayed! If only I was not paying for two apartments this month and had the money to support les artistes! I love her work.. . colorful, emotional, innocent.. . GAH! Such vibrant pieces! No wonder so many have been sold!
I was on my lunch break from the office so I was unfortunately unable to give Subtext the time it deserved. I will be back to peruse the literature. The place totally gave me energy for the second half of the day. YAY art. Subtext loves design and I love you.

great art book selection, fun and diverse art shows, super sweet staff. san diego’s lucky to have a design forward boutique/​gallery like this, even if it’s small!

Subtext is a great little gallery space and bookstore in Little Italy. Anyone in the area interested in design, vinyl and art should stop by.
They have a large collection of hard-​to-​find books and magazines, as well as plenty of vinyl collectables on display which is great considering how hard it is to finding shops that carry such toys. San Diego isn’t blessed with having a Kid Robot or Munky King nearby, unfortunately. Lucky for San Francisco and LA, though. In fact, it’s just nice to have a store here catering to modern and urban art and design, period. I was impressed with the reading material, with plenty of books on architecture, various popular street and traditional artists, even showcasing commercial design.
Aside from things you can purchase (or just drool over), they are a gallery space so they do have things on exhibit. You can definitely drool over those, too.
It amazing to have finally found a store that revolves solely around more unconventional forms of art and different sorts of design. It’s much better than waiting for Comic-​Con to come into town for a vinyl fix or rummaging through Barnes & Noble for a decent art magazine. Books, it’s ridiculously hard finding anything non-​traditional in a chain’s art section. Another plus is the friendly staff, they are familiar with the artists and are just as interested in their products as much as the people who walk in.
Ps. I love my Yeti. Thank you to the staff member in on my surprise.