In our lead-up to Jose Di Gregorio's solo exhibition, Retronym at the Sac Food Co-op we had the privilege to visit him in the space where he lives and works.
Located in Sacramento’s historic R Street District, the WAL (Warehouse Artist Lofts) is a uniquely designed, artist-centered community—built within and around the original 1914 Lawrence Warehouse. The building carries its history forward through exposed materials, scale, and character, while functioning as a living, breathing hub for working artists.
Jose was generous enough to give a short tour of the building, starting at the courtyard and up to the rooftop. One standout moment was seeing the large-scale mural he created on the second floor outside the elevator—painted back in 2014 while the building was still under construction. It’s a lasting mark of both his history with WAL and his place within Sacramento’s broader visual landscape.
Stepping into his loft / studio was entirely something else.
Outside of his working space, Jose's apartment is filled—wall to wall with art. Not in a staged or overly curated way, but in a way that feels lived with, accumulated, and deeply personal. There’s something incredibly grounding about seeing an artist who is also a committed collector.
Works from artists we know and admire immediately stood out—pieces by our friend and previously exhibited, Cheyenne Randall, by Amine Rastgar, whose work is currently on view in the gallery, and Esther Wang (Demo Spot), who will be exhibiting with us later this summer. Other pieces that stood out were by the likes of psychedelic forward, Skinner, local painter, Lynn Tobin and several others; Some well known, others just emerging.
Something that resonated heavily was a collection of works made by his daughters, spanning from their toddler years into their now, teenage years. These pieces hold just as much space and importance as any other work in the space—an ongoing archive of time, memory, and growth that sits right alongside Jose’s own practice.
And rightfully so, Jose's work is heavily saturated throughout the space.
Not just recent pieces, but older works too—allowing you to trace a clear line of evolution. From early oil paintings from art school to faceless photographs to stippling drawings from over a decade ago, experimental phases like the pipe cleaner-based canvases, and laser-cut works from his residency at Hacker Lab all point toward the precision and control that define his current geometric paintings. You begin to see how each phase builds into the next—how nothing is isolated, and everything carries forward.
One of the most moving moments in the space is the entryway wall dedicated to the late, Nathan Cordero.
Nate was a deeply respected figure in Sacramento’s art community, and someone we thankfully had the chance to know during the early years of our brick & mortar. Hearing Jose speak about their relationship added a powerful layer of context—not only to his personal journey, but to his place within the city. While Jose and Nate's relationship goes back to a much earlier day, Jose credits Nate as someone who helped introduce him to the Sacramento art scene, opening doors to friendships and connections that continue to shape his life and work today. Seeing that wall—full, intentional, and clearly cared for—was a reminder of how much of an artist’s path is built through community.
All of this feeds directly into Retronym, Jose’s upcoming exhibition at the Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op.
A retronym, by definition, is a term created to distinguish something original from a newer version—like “acoustic guitar” after the invention of the electric. In Jose’s case, Retronym operates as a visual parallel to that idea. The exhibition brings past and present into direct conversation—pulling elements from earlier bodies of work, like his drip paintings, and placing them alongside the refined, geometric language he’s developed today.
What becomes clear is that these works aren’t separate—they’re connected. The energy, movement, and intuition present in those earlier paintings still exist, just translated through a different level of control and precision. It’s not a departure—it’s an evolution.
Spending time in Jose’s space offered a rare glimpse into that full arc. Not just the finished work, but the process, the history, and the environment that continues to shape it.
To see where the work is made, to experience it in context, and to get an early look into what’s to come—it’s a privilege we don’t take lightly. Thank you Jose!
Retronym will have an opening reception at the Sacramento Natural Food Co-op (upstairs dining space) on Friday, April 24th, from 4-6pm. Learn more here.