About

About

Location


Regular Hours

Mon – 10-6
Tu – by appointment
Wed – by appointment
Thur – 10-6
Fri – 10-6
Sat – 11-7
Sun – 11-5

Closed

March 10
March 16
March 21 opening at 3pm
April 7 closing at
Apr 29 – March 4 closed until 5pm
July 1 – Aug 11
Sept 19
Oct 14-19
Oct 31 – closing at 4
Nov 27-28
Dec 25-26
Dec 31

Owner / Director

Sonya Sparks
sonya@sparksgallery.com

Event Information

Contact Us
info@sparksgallery.com

Located in the Sterling Hardware Building in the Gaslamp Quarter District of downtown San Diego, Sparks Gallery is a contemporary art gallery and serves as a premier mid-sized event venue for both public and private gatherings.

Our Mission

At Sparks Gallery, we believe in the transformative power of art to inspire, provoke thought, and enrich lives. Our gallery champions artistic talent in the region and serves as a nexus for creative conversations to elevate the local artistic community. 

Founded in 2013, Sparks Gallery exhibits and sells original Contemporary Artwork primarily by Southern California artists who innovate and provide excellent craftsmanship in a multitude of mediums. Through our exhibitions, we aim to elevate both emerging and established artists, providing a platform for their voices to be heard and celebrated. We stand for accessible, affordable, and purposeful art and jewelry that is locally made. We stand against art being inaccessible, exclusionary, and confusing to purchase, and against “art” that is made in a factory.

Sparks Gallery showcases collaborative exhibitions, curated exhibitions by the gallery owner (Sonya Sparks), and solo exhibitions. With a focus on surreal and impressionistic artwork, the gallery curates towards emotive works with strong narratives, in themes ranging from portraiture and figurative to landscape and conceptual.

We work with art enthusiasts and collectors who are inspired by the beauty and energy of contemporary craft in their space. Our clients are connected and compassionate collectors who enjoy diversity and the power of art to bring people together. We believe that by providing this space and service, we can help encourage the growth and preservation of local art and culture.


Acerca de Sparks Gallery

Sparks Gallery exhibe y vende obras de arte contemporáneo original, en diferentes medios, principalmente de artistas talentosos del sur de California.

Sparks Gallery muestra exhibiciones colectivas e individuales, curadas por la propietaria de la galería (Sonya Sparks). Con un enfoque en obras de arte surrealistas e impresionistas, la galería selecciona obras innovadoras en temas que van del retrato a la figuración, hasta el paisaje y lo conceptual.

Sparks Gallery busca promocionar el talento artístico en la región, sirviendo como nexo creativo, y así crear un dialogo con la comunidad. Para mayores informes o para agendar una cita privada por favor de comunicarse con Natalie Gonzalez al correo natalie@sparksgallery.com

Purchasing Artwork

If you would like purchase a piece of art, you may do so directly on our SHOP section of the website, or call or email the gallery to inquire to purchase. We do not charge California sales tax for items shipping out of state or abroad. We accept all forms of payment. Some pieces from certain artists may not be listed on the website. Please call if you are interested in a particular artist whose work is currently unavailable or not shown on the website.

Gallery Event Rentals

To inquire to rent the gallery for an event, please fill out our online form. The gallery is available annually for Comic Con rental, as well as gatherings year-round. We specialize in mid-size corporate events and creative gatherings with artistic activations for up to 300 guests (rolling) or 120 seated.

Artist Submissions

We have currently paused new portfolio submissions.

Read our press articles HERE.

Read more about the building’s history HERE.


The Sparks Gallery Team

Sonya Sparks

Sonya Sparks is the owner and chief curator at Sparks Gallery. Sonya studied art in conjunction with obtaining her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration at the University of San Diego. Sonya founded Sparks Gallery in 2013 to encourage the patronage of local artists, support local art groups and institutions, and to educate the public about Southern California artists. Sonya has curated exhibitions for multiple organizations, including, but not limited to: the Oceanside Museum of Art Artist Alliance, Allied Craftsmen of San Diego, Cannon Art Gallery (Carlsbad, CA), and the Escondido Arts Partnership. As an inducted member of the Beta Gamma Sigma Business Honor Society, Sonya champions ethical business leadership. Book a Session With Sonya

Levi Distaso

Levi earned his English degree and studied writing and art history in his home state of New York. After moving to San Diego, he became interested in the local art scene while working at the San Diego Museum of Art. Starting in 2015, he served as Director of Catering and Events for a local plant-based food company. He now strives to use his educational background to help build community through visual arts while helping to organize and plan events at Sparks Gallery.

Lauren Patch

Lauren earned a Bachelor of Arts in art and art history, with an anthropology minor, from the University of California, Santa Barbara (summa cum laude). They bring their background and love of art history and studio arts to their role as editor, registrar, and photographer at the gallery. Now studying graphic design, they use their skills to help the gallery collaborate towards a more robust and accessible creative community.

Barry Wilson

Barry received his B.S., M.S., and PhD. degrees in the biological sciences and immunology from the University of Illinois. After Eighteen years as a scientist and educator in cancer research at The Scripps Research Institute, University of Michigan Medical School and Hybritech, Inc., Barry obtained a law degree from University of San Diego and worked as a patent attorney in various law firms (until 2013). Barry is the President and co-owner of a real-estate investment company which owns the Sterling Hardware Building (Sparks Gallery), among others. After his role as a co-general contractor for the adaptive reuse of the property into an art gallery, Barry continues to manage the property and volunteers at the gallery.

Natalie Gonzalez

Natalie Gonzalez (she/her) joined Sparks Gallery as the Outreach Coordinator in August 2022. She is an arts advocate, cultural promoter, and exhibitions coordinator. Born in Los Angeles and raised mainly in Mexico, she earned her B. A. in Arts and Cultural Management from Universidad de Guadalajara in Mexico. Natalie has been an active international art promoter for 15 years, organizing art exhibitions in Europe and Mexico. Her passion in life is to make art more accessible to our society, help Southern Californians develop their creativity, and instill a sense of community surrounding these activities.