Robert Berman's E6 Gallery Reclaims Salle Pianos Space On Market

Robert Berman's E6 Gallery Reclaims Salle Pianos Space On MarketMeaghan Clark/Hoodline
Meaghan Clark
Published on February 10, 2015

After a three-year hiatus, gallerist Robert Berman has returned to San Francisco and to his former gallery location at 1632 Market St., which has been vacated by Salle Pianos & Events.

This weekend, Berman's E6 Gallery re-opened its Market Street venue with a reception featuring artist Rob Setrakian. The new show, entitled “Paintings and Works on Paper” from Bay Area native Setrakian, will remain the focus until March. For the time being, Berman said, the show will be open Tuesday through Saturday by appointment only, though there are plans to have a more regular schedule. Right now, Berman will only admit he’s “working on a big show” to reintroduce himself to the neighborhood, and is excited to see an art resurgence with an array of local art galleries nearby.

The San Francisco gallery, which originally opened its doors in 2008, is an annex of Berman’s original Santa Monica location. “I love San Francisco, and I love the neighborhood. It is a very cool place,” said Berman.

An Art Institute of Chicago alum, Berman has been in the art industry for decades. Upon graduation, he moved to Paris to become an art dealer (where he mingled with fellow Hayes Valley gallery owner Jules Maeght's father) and has been on the West Coast since, opening Robert Berman Gallery in Santa Monica 35 years ago.

A fan of the city, Berman initially opened in the “midst of recession,” he recalled, with drawings from Raymond Pettibon, American architectural photographer Julius Shulman, and well as local and graffiti artists. About half the artists in Berman’s shows are local, while the other are international and historical shows.

Since 2012, the space had been leased to Salle Pianos & Events, an event space and piano retailer that had previously occupied the neighboring unit. The sublet ended this year, after a successful crowdfunding campaign led by Salle Pianos & Events owner Tibor Szabo enabled them to stay through the end of 2014. Salle Pianos & Events has since vacated the entire space, and according to Szabo, is looking for alternate locations. 

Berman hopes to see another gallery owner take the place of the former event space, but a lease is still in negotiation. In the meantime, you can visit the new E6 Gallery and see Rob Setrakian's show at 1632 B, Market St. Hours are Tuesday-Saturday by appointment only.