Art Space operated in Los Angeles from 1977 to 1991 and was owned by artist, philanthropist, and activist Lucy Adelman (1909-1997). The gallery was known for a commitment to showing under-represented local artists, and began with an emphasis on minimal and conceptual art before branching out to embrace a wide variety of artistic expressions.
Settling in Los Angeles in 1938, Adelman was also one of the founders of the Womanspace Gallery, a cooperative gallery for feminist activities established in 1972 in Los Angeles. Opening Art Space in 1977, Adelman was determined to offer what she saw as a wealth of untapped local talent at affordable prices, and her first show showcased the work of women artists Ann Morris, Fran Raboff, Judy Simonian, and Hazel Slawson. Adelman stated that the gallery had two purposes: "[Art Space] is for artists, creative people who communicate through many different fields of expression...It will also be a meeting place for people who wish to acquaint themselves with different concepts and directions." Initially exhibitions, lectures, events, performances, and meetings were held in the space at 10550 Santa Monica Boulevard. Adelman was intent on showing little-known local artists solely on their merit and did not initially represent any individual artists. Artists participated by assisting in the installation of their exhibitions and contributing a fee "commensurate with their ability to share the cost of keeping Art Space alive." By 1982 the gallery represented six artists - Barbara Magnus, Kent Rush, Herb Rabbin, Tracy Colvill, Jack Kleinberg, and Janice Lowry - but continued to reserve most of its schedule for new talent. The gallery held 118 exhibitions before closing its doors in 1991.
Adelman and her husband, Isadore, were also involved in philanthropic activities and gave generously to the American Civil Liberties Union and the Venice Family Clinic, which honored them at its annual fund-raising Art Walk Festival in 1988. Adelman died in 1997 in Santa Monica, California.