Walkable LA Gallery Guide

Start at New Image Art! Established in 1994 by artist Marsea Goldberg, New Image Art (NIA) has long been championed as a space made by artists, for artists. NIA focuses on exhibiting ingenuity and soul rather than following commerce and trends– well-respected as a true creative outlet for artists. NIA’s exhibitions are consistently interesting, with a distinct preference for painters working with a surreal strain of abstract imagery.

Founded in the 1990s in New York City, Matthew Marks Gallery now totals more than 18,000 total square feet of exhibition space between New York and their exceptional Los Angeles spaces. With two gallery locations next door to each other on Santa Monica Boulevard, this gallery presents up to fifteen exhibitions yearly. A bonus: most of the shows are accompanied by great publications.

Note: If you are feeling tired, this would be a good time to hop in an Uber/Lyft/Taxi. Take the short car ride between Matthew Marks Gallery and Karma Gallery as an opportunity to rest your legs!

Another New York native, Karma Gallery was founded by Brendan Dugan in 2011. Their Los Angeles location hosts exhibitions and accompanying talks/events by diverse, multi-generational artists. They also have a bookstore, which has artist’s books and rare ephemera alongside the gallery’s own publications.

Nino Mier gallery is located across three different buildings on Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood. Their exhibitions focus on world-class paintings, but equally engaging are the galleries’ unique building facades – including an old-fashioned, light-up movie theater marquee displaying the changing names of their artists and shows.

The Lisson Gallery just opened an LA location in Hollywood’s ever-so-fashionable Sycamore District. The gallery is a standalone two-story building, previously home to a gay nightclub called ‘The Zone.’ Artistic energy pours from the surrounding area into the gallery space. Lisson Gallery brings consistently interesting artists to this space– most hailing from abroad.

Mizlala is a favorite spot of many locals for both dine-in and take-out. A casual Mediterranean restaurant with colorful tiles, the restaurant is a vibe. Some recommendations: the artichoke hummus, eggplant moussaka, fried broccoli, and lots of Moroccan chicken (you’re welcome).

Located on the rooftop of a private athletic club at La Brea Ave and Romaine Street, Mother Tongue is open to everyone and a solid spot for drinks and a light bite. Head to their rooftop patio for social hour between 4pm and 6pm Wednesday-Sunday– the restaurant always has an eclectic mix of Los Angeles locals.

Tartine will satiate your craving for breakfast, lunch, or the LA specialty– brunch. You have won the food scavenger hunt because everything at Tartine is fantastic – especially their homemade sourdough bread. Their outdoor seating has a cozy fireplace for an extra comfy place to read your new art books.

Sightglass Coffee is the coffeehouse mecca for every Angeleno and honorary Angeleno. Multiple indoor seating areas, a back patio, lots of bricks, flowers, and power outlets. Sightglass is a great place to meet a special somebody, start a new screenplay, or have a soulful discussion about the great art in L.A.

Gigi’s is a quintessential Los Angeles dinner destination filled with fabulous looking people drinking equally fabulous cocktails. Stop for a drink or amazing French food - either way, you will have a great time.

Art and music go together, so a stop at Supervinyl is a must. Founded by Barry Perlman, the co-founder of Lucky Brand Jeans, Supervinyl is a boutique record and turntable store. The sound of the ultra crisp stereo system pumping classics makes it a worthwhile stop.

Just One Eye is somewhere between a boutique designer clothing store and a commercial art gallery. Statement clothing pieces are displayed next to a giant John Chamberlain sculpture or an Andy Warhol print. The store has even commissioned a digital artwork from famed LA artist Ed Ruscha, serving as an emblem of Just One Eye’s commitment to being the bridge between art and fashion.

Jeffery Deitch has been an important name in the art world for nearly fifty years. He opened Deitch Projects in New York in 1996, eventually closing the space to become Director of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles. Deitch has a deep understanding of both the New York and Los Angeles art worlds. His consistently playful curatorial vision of accomplished, eclectic artists comes from New York and fits perfectly in the pop culture capital of the world. Deitch operates two gallery spaces in Los Angeles, both within walking distance of each other. Of special note, one of them is a Historical Cultural Monument, the Radio Recorders Studio, where Elvis and Frank Sinatra recorded their hit songs.

Established in 1985 and ensconced in its Highland Avenue location since 2014, Kohn Gallery is known for their historically significant exhibitions of West coast artists like Ed Moses and John Altoon, alongside impressive showings of modern artists like Richard Prince, Wallace Berman, Andy Warhol, and Keith Haring. The gallery space will draw you in with its funky, glowing display window. Inside, an expansive, airy space allows for lots of room between artworks, creating a wonderfully reflective art viewing experience.

Regen Projects was founded in 1989 and has been nurturing the careers of contemporary art’s most important artists since its inception. The gallery represents 35 artists currently, and the roster is world-class. The Regen Projects building stands like a bright white beacon on Santa Monica Boulevard with its exterior looking like the entrance of a movie studio lot. Inside, though, is a peaceful, light-filled space exhibiting some of the most important contemporary artworks of our time.