Marin Artists Launch New Art Hub in San Rafael

A New Art Space in Marin Fosters Community and Creativity

Marin artists Tubi Ho and Sara Gallagher have found a unique way to bring people together through their shared passion for art. Their journey began when they met at an exhibit by Ho in Mill Valley, where they quickly bonded over their mutual love of art and music. Since then, the two have become close friends, often attending art shows together and collaborating in Gallagher’s home studio in Nicasio.

“We shared space around art really well,” Gallagher said. This connection has now evolved into a new venture: Studio 5 Contemporary, a multi-faceted art space that serves as a gallery, working studio, showroom, and event venue. The name references the space’s history, as it was listed as “Studio 5” on floor plans.

The goal of Studio 5 Contemporary is to create a welcoming environment where people can engage with art, connect with others, and feel comfortable exploring creative expression. “We want it to be a public space and an inclusive gallery where people feel comfortable coming in and staying,” Gallagher explained. “We want to bring high-impact art to more people and make them feel welcome enough to sit with it and experience its impact.”

Opening Exhibit: "Abstracted Figures"

The inaugural exhibit, titled “Abstracted Figures,” features a diverse range of works from various artists. It includes mixed-media paintings by Kate Tova, abstract paintings by Jaime Lovejoy, disrupted realism by Calvin Lai, analog photography by Luke Kraman, interdisciplinary photo and sculpture by Kacy Jung, contemporary seascapes by Wolfgang Bloch, and pieces by Ho. The exhibit runs through September 7 and includes an artist panel discussion on September 6 from 4 to 6 p.m.

The title reflects the artistic styles of both founders. Ho, known for her abstract expressionism, and Gallagher, who creates hyper-realistic drawings based on emotional experiences, have developed a dynamic relationship that highlights their contrasting approaches. “I love the dynamic of how we're pretty much the opposite style,” Ho said. “We are in tune with each other's creative energy.”

Gallagher, who curated the show, added, “I love the way our artwork really feels like it has a dialogue with each other. We both explore emotional themes, and it feels great to offer other people's work for sale that we believe to be of high value.”

A Journey of Self-Expression

For Ho, her path to becoming an artist was shaped by a variety of experiences. She had a background in interior design, which influenced her creative process. “When I was really young, one of my first jobs was to assist an interior designer in Oakland Hills,” she recalled. “It really shaped me in my practice and how I create and assist people with their artistic choices.”

Ho’s artistic career took a different turn after she spent 15 years as a professional musician. While living in Los Angeles, she struggled with consistency in the music industry and eventually found a new creative outlet in painting. “Painting came at the right time,” she said. “It helped me grow into the person I am today. Making art is my life, and I make art about my life and connect with people around my art.”

Finding Her Voice

For Gallagher, being an artist has always been her guiding force. “It has been my north star since I was 5 years old,” she said. After earning a degree in art, she faced challenges in expressing herself through traditional mediums. “I felt I reached my own ceiling as an oil painter,” she admitted.

Her breakthrough came after attending a five-day graphite drawing workshop in Germany led by Dirk Dzimirsky, who became her mentor. Through experimentation, she developed a technique that combines the precision of pencil with the richness of paint. “I finally found my voice with guidance from my mentor,” she said. “Then I listened to my own voice and found what I was missing.”

This new approach resonated with the public in ways she hadn’t experienced before. “It’s amazing how that resonated with the public in ways that I’ve never experienced my art resonate before,” Gallagher said.

A Shared Vision

For both Ho and Gallagher, their new venture represents a deep commitment to art and community. Studio 5 Contemporary is open from noon to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays through Saturdays at 1327 Fourth St. in San Rafael. For more information and details about future events and workshops, visit Studio5contemporary.com.