Though the space may look ready from the outside, Slate Contemporary Gallery is still very much in preparation mode as it readies its move into its new space at 5510 College Avenue. Behind the scenes, the team is hiring and onboarding staff, unpacking equipment, finalizing branding and print materials, and mapping out the year ahead.
The gallery’s official Grand Opening will be held on Saturday, March 7, after which the gallery will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 11am to 5pm. In the ten days leading up to opening day, the gallery may quietly hold a casual, “soft opening” when staff training is not underway—an opportunity to test operations and welcome early visitors as the space takes shape.
Slate Contemporary’s choice of Rockridge was a deliberate one. When principal Danielle Fox was asked why she decided to move to Rockridge, she quickly replied, “because it is obviously the most vital, walkable, and stylish neighborhood in Oakland.”
While the gallery does not currently represent artists living specifically in Rockridge, its roster reflects a strong regional and national reach. Slate Contemporary represents 28 artists, including five based in Oakland and 13 from the greater Bay Area, spanning the East Bay, San Francisco, and Marin. The remaining artists hail from farther afield, including Los Angeles, San Diego, Austin, Seattle, and even Vancouver, Canada.
The gallery’s program centers primarily on abstract painting, but also works with select photographers, sculptors, and installation artists. While the gallery occasionally presents work that is more challenging or provocative, the emphasis is largely on art that is visually compelling.
Although Slate Contemporary is new to Rockridge, it is not a new presence in Oakland. The gallery was founded in Temescal in 2009, relocated in 2011 to 25th street in the Uptown arts district, and spent 14 years there before deciding it was time for a refresh.
Importantly, all exhibitions are open to the public. Visitors are welcome to stop in whether or not they are actively looking to purchase art, and gallery consultants are always available to answer questions and provide context.
Exhibitions change every five to six weeks, ensuring a consistently evolving program. If one show doesn’t resonate, there’s always another around the corner. Those interested can also visit slatecontemporary.com to join the mailing list and receive exhibition announcements.
And for the Rockridge community, there’s an extra personal connection: Danielle, the gallery’s founder, lived just around the corner on Lawton Avenue and waited tables at the Rockridge Café while attending UC Berkeley in the 1980s — making this homecoming all the more meaningful.
With its official opening set for March 7, Slate Contemporary is poised to bring its established voice and curatorial vision to Rockridge.
SLATE will continue to operate SLATE Annex at 473 25th Street, its longtime home since 2011, which will remain available for private viewings and special events.
