Like the SpiceGallery

Williamsburg, Brooklyn · 2006–2012

224 Roebling Street · Williamsburg, Brooklyn · 2006–2012

Like the Spice Gallery

Like the Spice (LTS) was a contemporary art gallery founded by Marisa Sage at 224 Roebling Street, between South 2nd and South 3rd, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It opened in June 2006 as Like the Spice Art Studio, became a full-time gallery at the end of 2007, and closed its doors after its final show, 224: A Group Exhibition, June 8–22, 2012.[source]

A Williamsburg gallery built on community

In its own words, Like the Spice was “as much about community as it is about art.”[source] The studio years brought classes in Photoshop, digital photography, video, drawing and ceramics, artist brunches and music nights. “Like the Spice Art Studio quickly became a hub for young, aspiring, and emerging artists,” and at the end of 2007 Marisa Sage turned the project space into a full-time gallery.[source]

Over six years she mounted more than 65 exhibitions[source] and showed the gallery at fairs from Miami to San Francisco. Like the Spice hosted a Monthly Artist Dinner Series of themed, pun-filled dinners with the exhibiting artist[source], announced the inaugural Williamsburg Second Fridays late night (“Williamsburg Every Second”, September 14, 2007)[source], and trained more than 70 work-study students and interns.[source]

The last Artist Dinner at 224 Roebling, the “Dewey Decimal Dinner”, was held on April 27, 2012.[source] Afterwards the name lived on as LIKE THE SPICE, Marisa Sage's consultancy and curatorial platform.[source]

Like the Spice postcard for Instant Gratification, a group show of digital art, January 12 to February 17, 2007, listing Andrea Ackerman, Anna Druzcz, Danielle Ezzo, Jordan Kleinman, Brian LaRossa and Chadwick Whitehead, with the address 224 Roebling Street
Like the Spice announcement card for Instant Gratification, 2007 (cropped). Card artwork by one of the exhibiting artists, from the gallery's archived website.

“Like the Spice, a new contemporary gallery and art instructional epicenter in the burgeoning neighborhood of Williamsburg Brooklyn, is as much about community as it is about art.”

“…showing art that predominantly expresses a die-hard optimism that is both fresh and youthful.”

“Like the Spice was bustling with gallery goers the entire time I was there.”

“Our artists push their medium; our paintings are fresh and our digital art is not just about the pixels.”

From the walls of 224 Roebling Street

Eric LoPresti, Halo (Nez Perce): a pale, washed landscape seen from above with a thin diamond outline drawn over it
Eric LoPresti, Halo (Nez Perce), shown in Different Country, 2011. Courtesy of the artist, from the gallery's archived website.
Matt Stone, Beacon: a tall, thin steel sculpture rising from a white base
Matt Stone, Beacon, shown in Tectonics, 2011. Courtesy of the artist, from the gallery's archived website.
Nicki Stager, By Flight: a bright orange field over pale pink, with small dark bird silhouettes
Nicki Stager, By Flight. Courtesy of the artist, from the gallery's archived website.
Bennett Morris painting from Climate Untamed: a smoky, storm-lit landscape in red, pink and blue
Bennett Morris, from Climate Untamed, 2010. Courtesy of the artist, from the gallery's archived website.

At a glance

Names
Like the Spice Gallery; Like the Spice; LTS; Like the Spice Art Studio (2006–07); LIKE THE SPICE (consultancy, after 2012)
Address
224 Roebling Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211, between South 2nd and South 3rd, Williamsburg[source]
Getting there
J, M, Z to Marcy Ave; L to Bedford Ave[source]
Open
June 2006 – June 22, 2012 (first show June 30, 2006)[source]
Founder
Marisa Sage, owner, director and curator
Online
likethespice.com; the gallery blog, “Like the Spice Gallery Events”, at likethespice.blogspot.com (347 posts, 2007–2012)