The passions and perspectives of artists Paul Ecke, Donna McGinnis, James Shilaimon and Luis Marzoratti, and sculptor Dan Corbin, have come to the Gaslamp Quarter for the summer as guests of the Ramsden Morrison Gallery.

The recently opened gallery sits in its spacious and modern location on Fourth Avenue in the historic Whitney Building. The flooring is the original concrete from 1914 and the loft-style ceiling is open, exposing the hardware and ventilation systems.

“I love our new location,” says Alvin Morrison, gallery owner who previously was on the board at William Merrill gallery in Laguna Beach. “I feel that we represent the soulfulness and culture of Downtown San Diego. Art, fashion, food and music are all beginning to come together.”

The pieces exhibit “an expression of feeling in different forms,” says Morrison. “Each piece has an energy or an emotion that is displayed through texture and layering of color.”

Phil Ramsden and Morrison hired Bridget Cantu Wear, previously associate director of development at the Globe Theatres, as gallery public relations director and Chad Halsey as arts manager. With help from the board, the team of four does its best to make the gallery a comfortable and unintimidating place. The result is a picturesque environment for corporate events and parties, and a place to introduce children to art. “It’s a place that you can visit and discover a part of yourself while sharing time with others,” says Cantu Wear.

The grand opening of the gallery at 343 Fourth Ave. is on June 8. Call for an invitation. The gallery is open daily from noon to 7 p.m. and by appointment. The works of featured artist Ecke are on display through July 28. For information, call (619) 230-1000 or click on www.r-mgallery.com.

— Katherine Lyon