Gallery Expansion Shows Off Best Of Both Art Worlds

There is no official English word to fully describe the two passions of Christian Hohmann, an El Paseo art gallery owner with German roots.

“One [passion] is what I used to do back in Germany, which is the gallerist part, which means you represent an artist,’’ Hohmann said. “There is not even an English word for it. We’ve been using the German word for it, gallerist, but the Americans call it an art dealer, but it is really not the same.

“The gallerist takes pride in getting his artist into a museum and to follow them and to build them up,” Hohmann said, adding that he enjoys finding up and coming artists.

The other prong of his interest involves handling the works of 20th century masters.

Now he has the space in his gallery to encompass both sides of his personality thanks to an expansion into the former Edenhurst Gallery.

“Now we are able to better fulfill my main two passions as a gallerist,” Christian said. “In one space we can cultivate the individual artists that we represent by focusing on in depth and singular exhibitions of their work. In the other space I can indulge my art dealer side by selling extraordinary works by twentieth century masters such as Picasso, Miró, Chagall.”

The new space will be on full display during the El Paseo Art Walk this Thursday, which is set for 5 to 9 p.m. along the upscale shopping district.

Hohmann encouraged visitors to explore as many galleries as possible. (Click here for a full list of the .)

He opened a few years ago, branching out from his former role as Director of the Hart Gallery, which was owned by his former boss and aunt Eva Hart. She retired in 2009.

Hohmann hails from a family of gallery owners who have had a presence in the German art world for more than 30 years.

Check back next week for a preview of the artists Hohmann plans to show during the season.