The L.A. Art Show has sadly come and gone, but there's a plethora of other inspiring happenings for collectors to get their art fix this month. Now that Frieze's inaugural Los Angeles event is set to take over Paramount Studios this week, the international contemporary art show has attracted no shortage of equally noteworthy exhibits — and proving the City of Angels' status as a rising force in the art world.
We've rounded up the best bazaars, bashes, and pop-ups to catch during this unofficial LA art week in order by start date, from the 10th annual Art Los Angeles Contemporary in Santa Monica to a host of L.A. debuts (including Felix at the Hollywood Roosevelt, Superfine! in DTLA, and more) and pop-ups — see them all below.
"Refresh" by Matt Smiley at The Mondrian
What: Known for his happiness-inducing paintings (which have popped up at DTLA's The Bloc and elsewhere in L.A.), filmmaker and artist Matt Smiley's latest exhibit, "Refresh," is on display at The Mondrian through the end of the month. Swing by to see a giant Lego version of Voltron as well as Smiley's signature happy face-inspired works and more.
When: Now through February 27
Where: The Magic Box Gallery at The Mondrian, 8440 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 90069
"Val-entines" by Kii Arens & Val Kilmer at We Are Hear
What: If celebrity-made art and retro pop graphics are your thing, then swing by graphic artist/music video director/musician Kii Arens and actor Val Kilmer's "Val-entines" art exhibit, which is now on display alongside each artist's solo works at the new gallery and HQ of We Are Hear, the new record label and management company of award-winning producers Linda Perry and Kerry Brown. In addition to seeing Arens' and Kilmer's pieces, pick up limited-edition silkscreened prints, note cards, pillows, and more bearing their creations.
When: Now through March 12
Where: We Are Hear, 12230 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, 91604
"Cruising on Empty" by Boris Chouvellon at Show Gallery
What: Renowned French contemporary artist Boris Chouvellon makes his Los Angeles debut at Show Gallery, where his exhibition, "Cruising on Empty," explores the essence of L.A. and "its roads, its coastlines, its typography, and the juxtaposition between the industrial landscape and the entertainment industry."
When: Now through March 24; collector's brunch Saturday, February 16 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: Show Gallery, 1515 North Gardner St., LA, 90046
Bitforms Gallery at Row DTLA
What: New York's Bitforms Gallery — known for its focus on new media art — is making its L.A. debut at Row DTLA, where it'll present immersive, time-based works across two spaces at the Arts District lifestyle center.
When: Tuesday, February 12 to Sunday, March 17; Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. or by appointment
Where: Row DTLA, 777 Alameda St., LA, 90021
Art Los Angeles Contemporary
What: Now in its 10th year, the international contemporary art fair brings together over 65 galleries around the world, on-site performances, and one-of-a-kind installations. ALAC will debut two new sections: Moveable Types (a collection of independent publishers curated by Frances Horn) and a salon-style exhibition of works from emerging galleries presented by The Academy and curated by Claudia Reich.
When: Wednesday, February 13 (6 to 9 p.m. opening reception), Thursday, February 14 and Friday, February 15 (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.), Saturday, February 16 (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.), and Sunday, February 17 (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
Where: The Barkar Hangar, 3021 Airport Ave., Santa Monica, 90405
Tickets: $30 for single day entry or $45 for four-day entry (children 13 and under are free); available online or at the door
Frieze L.A.
What: The international art show's first-ever L.A. event takes over Paramount Studios for three days of contemporary art from over 70 progressive galleries from around the world. Expect performances, panels, "Name That Tune" challenges with artists, and even site-specific works like psychic art advisors; get more details here.
When: Thursday, February 14 (invite-only preview), Friday, February 15 (2 to 8 p.m. preview and private view), Saturday, February 16 (12 to 7 p.m.), and Sunday, February 17 (12 to 6 p.m.)
Where: Paramount Studios, 5515 Melrose Ave., LA, 90038
Tickets: $50 (single-day entry) to $250 (VIP preview) for adults, $20 for students and youth (ages 13 to 18), and $10 for kids (ages 20 to 12); buy online in advance here
Felix Fair
What: With a mission to "create a more intimate fair experience [that] prioritizes connoisseurship, collaboration, and community," art collector and former entertainment industry exec Dean Valentine and brothers Al and Mills Morán are bringing a new contemporary art fair to L.A. The four-day laid-back event (which takes its name from the iconic cartoon cat) is taking over the legendary Hollywood Roosevelt, where art from about 40 galleries hailing mostly from L.A. and N.Y. (alongside others France, Germany, Australia, South Africa, and China) will be on display and available for purchase throughout the hotel's suits, poolside bungalows, and public spaces. It's free and open to the public.
When: Thursday, February 14 (2 to 6 p.m. private preview, 6 to 10 p.m. public opening), Friday, February 15 to Saturday, February 16 (11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily), and Sunday, February 17 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
Where: The Hollywood Roosevelt, 7000 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 90028
Superfine! The Fair
What: Already a success in New York and Washington, D.C., Miami-bred (and Shepard Fairey-approved) art fair Superfine!'s first-ever L.A. edition brings its approachable and affordable event to DTLA's The Reef. Over 250 artists (including an "outsized" number of female and LGBTQ talents) will be on display, and 90% of the pieces will range from $100 to $5,000. In addition to featuring educational panels and an A/V program, other highlights include a "Beyond Björk installation by Bay Area artists Harumo Sato (pictured above) and The Tracy Piper, a"This Is America!" exhibition of political art, the Valentine's Day Vernissage on Thursday (complete with cotton candy-topped bubbly, DJ sets, and a live saxophonist), and the Young Collector's Ice Cream Social on Friday; get more deets here.
When: Thursday, February 14 to Sunday, February 17
Where: Magic Box at The Reef, 1933 South Broadway, LA, 90007
Tickets: $10 to $75; buy online in advance here
Maxfield Art Collection Exhibit
What: The edgy luxury designer retailer is joining in on the Frieze festivities and showcasing its private art collection and furniture exhibit at its boutique and Jean Prouvé gallery.
When: Thursday, February 14 to Monday, February 18 (11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily)
Where: Maxfield, 8818 and 8825 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, 90069
Spring/Break Art Show at Row DTLA
What: For its first exhibition outside of New York, Spring/Break is heading to The Stalls at Skylight, a collection of former produce stalls at Row DTLA. The East Coast art fair brings over 40 independent artists, galleries, and curators under the theme "Fact and Fiction."
When: Friday, February 15 ( VIP first look and press preview from 2 to 5 p.m., VIP opening party 5 to 9 p.m.) and Saturday, February 16 and Sunday, February 17 (12 to 8 p.m.)
Where: Row DTLA, 777 Alameda St., LA, 90021
Tickets: $20 to $30, available online here
stARTup Art Fair
What: The non-traditional art fair is once again transforming The Kinney hotel's stylish rooms into mini art galleries and showcasing the works of 70 expert-discovered emerging artists. There'll also be live performances, augmented reality installations, panel discussions on topics like art and artificial intelligence, and more; see the full schedule here.
When: Friday, February 15 (2 to 10 p.m.), Saturday, February 16 (12 to 9 p.m.), and Sunday, February 17 (12 to 7 p.m.)
Where: The Kinney Venice Beach, 737 West Washington Blvd., Venice, 90292
Tickets: $10 for seniors and students, $15 for general admission, and $30 for a three-day pass ($15 to $40 at the door) and $100 for VIP; children 12 and under are free. Buy tickets online here
Ben Medansky's Stacks Unveiling at L'Eclaireur
What: The cult-favorite French retailer is joining in on the Frieze festivities with the unveiling of renowned ceramicist Ben Medansky's "Stacks" sculpture, a "monumental whole made up of many parts [that was] made by hand and reflects the artist's careful, measured approach." Aperitivos will be served during the sculpture's courtyard debut; get on the list by emailing rsvp@eclatpublicrelations.com.
When: Saturday, February 16 from 4 to 6 p.m.
Where: Leclaireur LA, 450 North Robertson Blvd., West Hollywood, 90069
Dover Street Market's Frieze Celebration
What: The avant-garde luxury retailer is joining forces with L.A.'s Underground Museum to help launch Frieze L.A. magazine, starting with the debut of streetwear brand Total Luxury Spa at DSMLA. The stylish party continues with a discussion hosted by Commonwealth Projects' Daniel Desure with Hassan Rahim and Lima Lee at 1 p.m., followed by four 20-minute improvised sets by renowned cellist Patric Belaga. Artist Cory Arcangel will also be in the house to present his Arcangel Surfare collection alongside a special installation; plus, expect new product drops and installations by Simon Rocha and Laila Gohar, Chanel Fine Jewelry, Sophie Bille Brah jewelry, Melitta Baumeister, Rokit x Nike Kyrie 5, and more. Rose Bakery will be serving treats starting at 2 p.m.; get all of the deets here.
When: Saturday, February 16
Where: Dover Street Market L.A., 606-608 Imperial St., LA, 90021
Art After Dark at La Peer Hotel
What: As part of West Hollywood Design District's Frieze festivities, La Peer Hotel's Art After Dark soirée promises live paintings and prints signings by stars like Val Kilmer, Billy Zane, "godfather of West Coast graffiti" Risk (who'll be showing a custom-painted 1970s Rolls Royce Silver Shadow), Blek le Rat (a.k.a. Banksy's street art mentor), celebrity photographers Lionel Deluy and Andrew Haagen, and many more. Plus, there'll be limited edition furniture by Gulla Jonsdottir, while canapes and cocktails from Cecconi's, Craig's, Gracias Madre, and Viale dei Romani will be served. Get on the list by RSVPing to atelier@gullajonsdottir.com.
When: February 16 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Where: La Peer Hotel, 627 North La Peer Dr., West Hollywood, 90069
West Hollywood Design District Block Party
What: There are a ton of festivities happening during West Hollywood Design District's block party to coincide with Frieze L.A., including La Peer Hotel's celebrity-happy Art After Dark (see above), a Mad Hatter Tea Party at Robert Kuo that includes a book signing with inspiring style star and artist Valerie Von Sobel (who'll also be showcasing her art at Denenberg Fine Arts gallery) an exhibit by controversial street artist Mr. Brainwash, meet-and-greets with artists, and even a free cocktail at Gracias Madre when you show your Frieze ticket. See the full lineup of events here.
When: Saturday, February 16 (various times)
Where: West Hollywood Design District, various locations on Melrose Avenue and vicinity
