Michele StuevenThe LA Art Show, one of the few remaining independent art fairs, returns for its 31st year on Wednesday, Jan. 7, and tickets are now available.
Some highlights include Sylvester Stallone’s solo exhibition, the Dublin-based Oliver Sears Gallery being the first gallery from Ireland to participate, and Pontone Gallery (London) showcasing popular works from self-taught Manchester artist and rock drummer, Chris Rivers.
LICHT FELD Gallery from Switzerland presents the rediscovery of Karl A. Meyer’s woodcut prints from Meyer’s transformative period in 1980s New York City on Crosby Street, where he created a vast collection of woodcut work that has remained largely unseen for nearly four decades. J&J Art’s Elegant Freedom by Jinny Suh, whose Hanji-based works reinterpret Korean tradition through a contemporary lens, will also be on display.
The fair will debut its new Latin American Pavilion, curated by Marisa Caichiolo. Focused on themes of memory, migration, and identity, the pavilion explores representation, provenance, and the evolving trajectory of Latin American art.
As you set out for Ithaka Woodcut on Canvas 150 x 120 cm 1983 unique printing plate lost (Courtesy LA Art Show)
Pre-orders are now available for Artists in Space, a book by Compton-based artist and criminal justice reform advocate, Fulton Leroy Washington (also known as MR. WASH). The 200-page book presents a visual archive of studio environments from 20 of LA’s working artists. All proceeds of the project will go towards building the Art By Wash Studio & Community Center, a space in Compton dedicated to growth and restoration via arts programming, creative residencies, and housing for formerly incarcerated individuals.
Fulton Leroy Washington (Joppe Jacob Rog)
Artists in Space follows a series of 20 studio visits, where Mr. Wash sits down with friends and peers to explore how artists cultivate environments, both physical and emotional, to nurture creative expression. The project offers a rare and intimate look into the spaces of Angeleno artists who embody the multigenerational and multidisciplinary voices of the city itself, reflecting its many lineages, languages, and communities.
Spotlighted artists include Mario Ayala, Charles Bibbs, Patrisse Cullors, Mel Depaz, Delfin Finley, Kohshin Finley, Erin D. Garcia, Kenneth Gatewood, Alfonso Gonzalez Jr., Lanise Howard, Ozzie Juarez, Tidawhitney Lek, Tala Madani, Maria Maea, Michael Massenburg, Anthony Lee Pittman, Devin Reynolds, Gabriela Ruiz, Peter Shire, and Sonya Sombreuil. All photos are captured by Joppe Jacob Rog.
Washington is a self-taught artist and criminal justice reform advocate living and working in Compton who was Wrongfully convicted in 1997 for a non-violent drug offense and handed a life sentence due to mandatory minimums. He became an artist behind bars before President Obama granted him clemency 21 years later.
Dorothy’s ruby slippers (Courtesy Academy Museum of Motion Pictures)
Moments from a Century at the Santa Monica Pier will run through Wednesday, Jan. 7, in Gallery 33 at the Georgian Hotel and is presented in partnership with the Santa Monica History Museum. The new exhibit explores the pier’s legacy of culture and change through rare photos, artifacts, and immersive storytelling, celebrating the 150th anniversary of Santa Monica.
Starting Tuesday, Dec. 20, a pair of the ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz(1939) will be back on view in the Identity Gallery at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. The new gallery rotation will also include costumes worn by Fred Astaire in Holiday Inn (1941), Natalie Wood in Gypsy(1962), John Cameron Mitchell in Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001), Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo in Wicked (2024), and more. The Identity gallery highlights the collaborative art, science, and craft behind bringing cinematic characters to life.