HOTWATER GALLERY (HTWTR)

@htwtr Hotwater Gallery is a studio-driven contemporary art space dedicated to discovering and showcasing exceptional artists through exclusive exhibits. We collaborate with artists to produce limited-edition prints and original works, curating collections for boutique hotels, luxury residences, and corporate spaces across San Diego.

Our gallery thrives on immersive events, bringing art lovers, collectors, and industry creatives together. Whether you're looking for a one-of-a-kind piece or curated art solutions, Hotwater Gallery delivers bold, statement-making works with a modern edge.

The Origin of Hotwater Gallery: A Story of Art, Rebellion, and a Stolen Masterpiece

Hotwater Gallery didn’t start as a gallery at all. It started with a phone call.

Taylor Gallegos, an artist and longtime friend, had just finished painting live at the Joshua Tree Music Festival—a massive 8' x 5' piece that he poured everything into. But when the weekend wrapped, he found out the hard way: the painting wasn’t his anymore. The festival owned it. No buyback option, no negotiation—just fine print that said it would disappear into storage, collecting dust instead of eyes.

So, Taylor did what any true artist would do. He stole it back.

He tore the canvas from the frame, stuffed it in his car, and called us, half-joking, half-panicked:
"Hey, I might need a place to hide something... also, can I come over now?"

We hung the painting up immediately, staples and all. And as we stood there, looking at this defiant act of art reclamation, we knew—this was bigger than just a gallery.

Hotwater was born from that energy. The punk rock spirit of artists taking back control of their work. Today, we’re a creative studio, gallery, and publishing house, partnering directly with emerging artists to get their work into the right hands—through certified prints, custom framing, and high-impact exhibitions.

Because art isn’t meant to be locked away in a storage unit. It’s meant to be seen. Welcome to Hotwater.