The gallery’s origins trace back to 2018, when a collective of artist-musicians—led by the enigmatic bandleader Lorena Linx—sought to create a space celebrating raw, unfiltered creativity. Lorena, a Grammy-nominated soul-jazz singer known for her electrifying stage presence, envisioned a venue that honored the soulful "smoke" of performance: that intangible energy when art ignites the senses. Hence, the "Smoking Gallery" was born—a tribute to the timeless allure of live music and the rebellious spirit of self-expression.