Fine art on the coast: Oolong Gallery opens in Solana Beach

A new art venue has opened up in Solana Beach with Oolong Gallery, hoping to infuse a bit of culture and sophistication in between two surf shops on Highway 101. Building designed by The Brown Studio

Since opening, Laine said he has been embraced by the Solana Beach community, who has been so supportive of his business, and he is also making connections in the local art scene—Oolong is a green sponsor of June 25’s Greener Gala at the Institute of Contemporary Art San Diego (ICA, formerly the Lux Institute).

Oolong’s inaugural show, “Global Entry”, opened on June 4 and will run through the summer, bringing together an eclectic group of 13 established and up-and-coming contemporary artists. It was an ambitious first undertaking for Laine and the gallery: “This show was so much work, I’ve never had such a big group show, nothing of this caliber,” he said.