Downtown L.A.’s arts district is set to get a new gallery this spring. Founded as a virtual platform in 2012, Wilding Cran Gallery will open its doors at 939 South Santa Fe Ave. on April 12. The new brick-and-mortar space will debut with “INAUGURAL SHOW #1,” the first of two group shows meant to present the gallery’s stable of 11 artists.

“We always planned to have a physical gallery space and we decided to build slowly,” co-foundersNaomi Wilding and Anthony Cran said in an email. “Starting as a virtual platform meant that we could create an identity for ourselves, which in turn we could use to help build our roster of artists. We feel that there is so much more that we can offer with a brick and mortar gallery, most obviously because in order to appreciate art you need to be able to see it and experience it in person. We also look forward to working within our community and using the gallery as a way to connect with the community of Los Angeles.”