Craig Steely Architecture enlivens a white box with rotating circular walls for Sorokko Gallery

Form, Function, Fun

sorokko gallery

Fine arts and fine wine are paired together at Sorokko Gallery and Martin Ray Vineyards in Napa, California. Gallerist Serge Sorokko and Courtney Benham, proprietor of Martin Ray Vineyards decided to come together in a shared space to offer a new yet compatible experience. Craig Steely Architecture was tapped to design this 4,500-square-foot indoor and outdoor venue. Honoring the artistry that lines the walls and the craftsmanship of the winery’s Russian River standout label, Craig Steely gave the traditional white box gallery a playful twist using an eye toward geometry.

napa art gallery and winery
The circular walls rotate on their axes to create new layouts as needed (Bruce Damonte)

The most prominent feature: large, floor-to-ceiling circle walls that break up the main gallery space. But the lively elements are more than decorative—they offer more surface area to hang and display art as well as choreograph the flow of the layout. The circle walls can also rotate on their axes to create new configurations in tandem with the exhibitions.

a gallery with circular walls
The space combines art and wine, as well as indoor and outdoor use (Bruce Damonte)

They fall alongside curving black benches with built-in tables and a semicircular bar and host counter, all united by a sleek, shiny finish. Craig Steely custom-designed the furniture, adding to the bespoke feel of the space.

art in napa
The circular walls offer engaging surfaces to display artworks (Bruce Damonte)

craig steely designs benches for art gallery
Custom-designed benches snake across the space with built-in tables (Bruce Damonte)

The effect enlivens the typical gallery typology without losing elegance and sophistication to moments of play.