The Groundbreakers: LA Galleries

Tim Blum and Jeff Poe founded Blum & Poe with dual knowledge of the Japanese art world and emerging artists in Los Angeles. When they moved to Culver City in 2003, they were one of the first galleries in what is now the Culver City Arts District. 20 years later, Blum & Poe represents fifty-two artists and nine artists’ estates. They now host museum-caliber exhibitions, as well as accompanying programs such as lectures, performance series, screenings, and an annual art book fair.

Regen Projects was founded in 1989 and has been nurturing the careers of contemporary art’s most important artists since its inception. They planted their flag in Hollywood, paving the way for the strip of galleries to come. The gallery represents 35 artists currently, and the roster is world-class: Glenn Ligon, Doug Aitken, and Raymond Pettibon to name a few. The Regen Projects building stands out 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.

Established in 1985 and 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 exhibitions 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 really wonderful, art viewing experience.

Founded in Venice Beach in 1975, L.A. Louver’s playful name is indicative of its style as a gallery. This gallery features hugely successful artists, both past and present. To name a few: David Hockney, Gajin Fujita, Alice Neel, Leon Kossoff, Mark di Suvero. Their exhibitions are curated around fun themes like “The Flower Show,” which include both contemporary and earlier abstract artworks. This is one of the few, major galleries in Los Angeles that does not exclusively focus on contemporary art.

Established in 1994 by artist Marsea Goldberg, New Image Art (NIA) has long been championed as a space made by artists, for artists, with a focus on exhibiting ingenuity and soul rather than commerce and trends. Located on Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood, NIA has become a respected creative outlet for artists. NIA’s exhibitions are consistently quirky and always interesting. Goldberg is entwined with LA's surf and skate culture; and that unique culture was and continues to inform the artworks shown at NIA.