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Max Barish Chrysler-Plymouth automotive showroom, circa 1953

Max Barish Chrysler-Plymouth automotive showroom, circa 1953

Roberts Projects occupies a 10,000 sq ft historic automobile showroom and features four exhibition spaces, a bookshop, and a permanent site-specific space conceived by the trailblazing artist Betye Saar.

The building was originally erected in 1948 as the Max Barish Chrysler-Plymouth dealership, “Auto Dealer to the Stars” where Fred Astaire, Lucille Ball, Cary Grant, Bob Hope and Michael Landon bought their automobiles.

The architectural conversion was realized by the firm of Johnston Marklee which designed Roberts Projects’ Culver City location in 2008. The firm of Buro Happold led the lighting design.

A key feature of the gallery is the main exhibition space, highlighted by a 30-foot-high vaulted ceiling with illuminated “wings.” Three other flexible exhibition spaces include cavities of light, which elegantly reveal architectural elements and provide a unique viewing experience.

A special, site-specific niche space created by Betye Saar is a permanent feature of the gallery, offering an immersive, unexpected experience through rotating installations and projects. The first iteration will showcase a new assemblage work by Saar. Future installations will be organized by the artist and later expanded to diversified curatorial efforts.

Roberts Projects Facade

Roberts Projects, La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles, 2024

Installation views Betye Saar Oasis

Left: Betye Saar Oasis, 1984–2023, Roberts Projects, Los Angeles
Right: Betye Saar Oasis, 1984, Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles

Roberts & Tilton, 6150 Gallery Complex, Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, 2000

Roberts & Tilton, 6150 Gallery Complex, Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, 2000

Gallery History

Roberts Projects was founded as Roberts & Tilton in Los Angeles in 1999 by partners Bennett Roberts, Julie Roberts and Jack Tilton. The gallery occupied the 6150 Gallery Complex in the Miracle Mile area of Los Angeles from 2000 until 2007.

"6150 Wilshire is the new focal point for new art in Los Angeles. More than Bergamot Station, and perhaps with the exception of the new galleries in Chinatown, the 6150 complex is where people now go to look at cutting-edge art." – Jack Tilton, 2000

Roberts and Tilton gallery photos

Roberts & Tilton, Washington Boulevard, Culver City, California, 2008

From 2008 until 2022, the gallery was located in a former historic coffee-roasting factory on Washington Boulevard in the Arts District of Culver City, California.

Designed by Johnston Marklee with lighting design by Guy Smith, the space was conceived as a balancing act between a serene and infinitely flexible site and the dynamic, shifting context which surrounds the building. The design established a backdrop for art, while furthering the dialogue between art and its presentation in space.

Following the passing of Jack Tilton (1951– 2017), Roberts & Tilton changed its name to Roberts Projects on January 1, 2018.

About Roberts Projects

Roberts Projects Publications

Since 2003, the gallery’s publication division has produced books focusing on contemporary artists, exhibition surveys, and specific art historical subjects. With over 20 publications to date, the gallery has collaborated with many institutions of note including Columbus Museum, Columbus, OH; Jewish Museum, New York, NY and Saint Louis Museum of Art, St. Louis, MO. 

Recent publications include Amoako Boafo, Daniel Crews-Chubb Solitary Us: Couples Paintings, Betye Saar: Black Doll Blues and Jeffrey Gibson: It Can Be Said of Them. Kehinde Wiley: Colorful Realm will be released in Fall 2024.

Betye Saar in her Laurel Canyon studio, Los Angeles, 1970

Betye Saar in her Laurel Canyon studio, Los Angeles, 1970

Betye Saar Catalogue Raisonné Project

Established by the gallery in 2016, the Betye Saar Catalogue Raisonné Project (BSCR) is an ongoing commitment to preserve the artistic practice of Los Angeles artist Betye Saar (b. 1926, Los Angeles). Betye Saar’s practice reflects on African American identity, spirituality and the connectedness between different cultures. Her symbolically rich body of work has evolved over time to succinctly reflect the environmental, cultural, political, racial, technological, economic, and historical context in which it exists. Through the creation of a catalogue raisonné and a digital archive, BSCR aims to educate future generations of Saar's significant contributions to the history of American art as an African American female artist. For additional information, visit betyesaarcatalogueraisonne.org

Gcc logo

Gallery Climate Coalition

Roberts Projects recognizes the urgent and ongoing environmental crises the world is presently facing. In an effort to reduce the gallery’s role in systems driving climate change, we are committed to taking immediate action to decrease our carbon emissions and waste by:

• Joining the Gallery Climate Coalition, and working alongside other volunteers to develop sustainable practices
• Conducting annual carbon audits
• Prioritizing sustainable shipping options and avoiding air freight whenever possible
• Participating in the 8x8 Climate Action Plan
• Reducing staff flights and prioritizing Certified Green Key hotels when traveling

While Roberts Projects is devoted to this mission, we appreciate that this is a work in progress and there is much growth to take place in this area. For additional information, please visit galleryclimatecoalition.org

Address
442 South La Brea Avenue
Los Angeles, California 90036

Telephone
323.549.0223

General Inquiries
info@robertsprojectsla.com

Gallery Hours
Tuesday through Saturday, 11am-6pm

Location
Roberts Projects is located in the Mid-Wilshire district of Los Angeles, two blocks north of Wilshire Boulevard.

Parking
A private parking lot is adjacent to the building. Additional on-street parking is available.

Submissions
Roberts Projects does not accept unsolicited submissions.
 

Join Our Mailing List

 

Bennett Roberts
Co-owner

Julie Roberts
Co-owner

Mary Skarbek
Senior Director 
mary@robertsprojectsla.com

David Daniels
Sales Director
david@robertsprojectsla.com

Alexandria Ryahl
Associate Director
alexandria@robertsprojectsla.com

Clare Joelson
Associate Director
clare@robertsprojectsla.com

Ashley Macomber
Gallery Manager
ashley@robertsprojectsla.com

Siobhan Bradley
Senior Registrar
Sustainability Liaison
siobhan@robertsprojectsla.com

Michael Michaud
Finance Coordinator
michael@robertsprojectsla.com

Anna Marotzke
Gallery Administrator
anna@robertsprojectsla.com

Victoria Pancewicz
Gallery Assistant
victoria@robertsprojectsla.com

Philippe Baron
Preparator
philippe@robertsprojectsla.com

Sean Honey
Preparator
sean@robertsprojectsla.com

Press Inquiries
Hannah Gottlieb-Graham
ALMA Communications
hannah@almacommunications.co

Image Rights and Reproductions
images@robertsprojectsla.com

Publications Inquiries
publications@robertsprojectsla.com