An artist before he was a gallery owner, Adam Rompel imagined Lucky Tackle gallery as a nonintimidating space for art that makes you think. He also hoped to give an infusion of visual culture to a side of the bay that has too sparse a gallery scene for its huge artist population. He's well on his way to realizing both goals: Lucky Tackle -- which retained the name of the business that preceded it along San Pablo Avenue -- has only been open since last August, but has already established itself as one of the best spots in the Bay Area for innovative, experimental work (it is often mentioned in the same breath as Ego Park and 21 Grand). Rompel favors heavily conceptual, installation-based projects, but he's also interested in stuff that people can actually buy, and he works hard to connect young collectors with affordable work. Recent exhibitions have featured Jason Byers, Sarah Cain, and Amanda A. Hendricks. Showing through May 24 is "Finishing School with Christy Thomas: The Patriot Library." Open 1-5 p.m. Fri.-Sun.

eastbayexpress.com | originally published: May 7, 2003