Etherton Gallery to Move From Barrio Viejo by 2026
The longstanding Tucson gallery will vacate its current space at the end of 2026 after the landlord declined a lease renewal.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Fine Art
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Etherton Gallery plans to close its current Barrio Viejo location in late November 2026. The move follows a decision by the property owner, Bacon Industries, to sell the building.
Why it matters
The gallery's departure marks a significant change for the Tucson arts community after the landlord denied requests to extend the lease. Etherton Gallery is now working to transition its operations to the city's Mercado District.
Founded in 1981, the gallery previously spent 33 years at Odd Fellows Hall and maintains a 45-year career history. The gallery is currently negotiating to move into the Bautista complex, which features 250 total rental units.
The players
Etherton Gallery
This is a long-running Tucson art institution that has operated in the city for over four decades.
Bacon Industries
This is the company that owns the gallery building and has decided to sell the property.
Anne Schiff
She is one of the managers who assumed responsibility for the property after the previous manager retired.
Betsy Rollings
She serves as a property manager for the building currently housing the gallery.
The details
The gallery is working with an architect to renovate the ground floor of the Bautista complex for future exhibition and workspace use. It is currently hosting the exhibition Lou Peralta: Expanded Portraiture, The Matter of the Invisible, with Elizabeth Z. Pineda: Maíz.
Timeline
1981: Terry Etherton opened his first gallery in Tucson.
2021: Etherton Gallery moved to its current Barrio Viejo location.
May 2026: The gallery requested a lease extension from Bacon Industries.
Late November 2026: The current gallery location will close.
January 15, 2027: The gallery aims to open its new show at the next location.
Industry Dynamics
The gallery's transition highlights the ongoing evolution of Tucson’s historic districts as commercial property owners favor redevelopment over long-term legacy leases. This move reflects a broader trend of independent art spaces navigating the pressures of the local real estate market.
Art patrons should prepare for the gallery's upcoming transition from its current Barrio Viejo home to the prospective Mercado District site. The gallery is targeting a January 2027 opening for its inaugural exhibition in the new space.
The takeaway
The upcoming move highlights how even established cultural institutions remain susceptible to changes in property management and ownership. Galleries and local businesses can mitigate future uncertainty by proactively monitoring lease renewal options well in advance of expiration dates.
Further reading
For more on the local art scene, visit the Tucson Fine Art section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Tucson Weekly.
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