The unassuming white brick building located at 7661 Girard Avenue holds much more inside than what appears to the eyes of casual passersby. Two art galleries, a high-end showroom for Italian mosaic tile and a fitness center are just some of the treasures packaged in the well-groomed building labeled “Art + Design.” 7661 Girard Ave. is an address where creativity, physical well-being, design savvy and flourishing business falls under one roof. Tuo Sogno Bisazza? On the building’s bottom floor is an independently owned, high-end showroom featuring world-renowned Bisazza glass tiles and handmade semiprecious stone slabs by Caesarstone. Tuo Sogno Bisazza adheres to the ancient tradition of Italian glass mosaics dating back to the first written record of the art in 77 A.D., while also applying modern technology. The showroom, which opened its doors in January 2009, is reminiscent of Bisazza flagship stores in design capitals around the world, such as Paris, New York, Milan and London. The hand-placed tiles and stone murals add a dazzling display as wall décor for both residential and commercial interiors and exteriors. The showroom is open Mondays through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Saturdays by appointment. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit www.tuosogno bisazza.com or call (858) 459-4123. High Voltage Fitness Also on the bottom floor of the building, this 3,200-square-foot facility features some of the most advanced fitness equipment, an energetic staff of trainers and a vibrant atmosphere with music filling the room and TVs lining the walls. High Voltage Fitness offers personal training and group classes that are designed to improve the strength, agility and athletic performance of people at all fitness levels. Personalized nutrition programs also help clients stay committed to a healthy lifestyle in every aspect of their lives. Nutrition specialists identify problematic eating behaviors and weight management issues of individuals to cater to the specific health needs of each client. High Voltage Fitness is open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information about High Voltage Fitness, visit www.voltage fitness.com or call (858) 412-4210. Joseph Bellows Gallery On the second floor of 7661 Girard Ave., Joseph Bellows Gallery takes visitors to another world with its 19th- and 20th-century exhibitions and imaginative contemporary pieces. Exhibitions in the gallery rotate monthly and feature anything from Edward Sturr’s Infantry Series from 1961 to Alice and Wonderland inspired illustrations by Maggie Taylor. Joseph Bellows Gallery currently features “A Restless Mind” a collection of photographs by Thomas Burrow. Burrow’s work combines unconventional mixed media, text, assemblage, photograms and alteration of negatives to represent the photographic history and other art practices and movements. The gallery also offers search, consultation and appraisal services for collectors, and is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.josephbellows.com or call (858) 456-5620. R.B. Stevenson Gallery Up a flight of stairs in Suite #201, this hidden gem holds a myriad of contemporary paintings, sculptures and works on paper. R.B. Stevenson Gallery emphasizes California painters, but also features works by local, national and international artists. The gallery’s current collection, “Just Enough,” is a group show that features past and current works by Pegan Brooke, Jimi Gleason, Richard Allen Morris, Michael Reafsnyder, Peter Stephens and Thomas Zitzwitz. The exhibit will run until Dec. 18. For more information, visit www.rbstevensongallery.com or call (858) 459-3917.
