Quint exhibit looks at past, present, future of local contemporary art scene by Patricia Morris Buckley
There is nothing conventional about the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, Museum presenting a show devoted to a San Diego gallery. But then, there’s nothing conventional about the gallery itself.
In 1981, Mark Quint opened the Quint Gallery in La Jolla to showcase his art and that of his friends. Soon, he focused on just the works of others. But instead of staying stagnant in a permanent space, he sought out places to adapt to the needs of the artist. His galleries soon became the rave of the contemporary art scene in San Diego, whether he showcased art in a large industrial building near the Miramar military base, in formal gallery or in a back alleyway in Hillcrest.
“The gallery has gone through several different permeations,” explained Quint. “We started slow with a more traditional gallery. Then it was a residency program. I’ve always enjoyed working with artists directly. If anything, that’s what my gallery is devoted to.”