Impressions of Los Angeles: How the Art Show Highlights the City’s Role as a Global Art Hub
LA Art Show Unveils Exciting Firsts at 31st Annual Event
The LA Art Show, now in its 31st edition, is making waves with a series of significant firsts, featuring over 90 galleries from across the globe. Notably, Provident Fine Art from Palm Beach is debuting with a solo presentation of Sylvester Stallone’s abstract paintings, marking his first major showcase in years. The fair will also welcome Ireland’s Oliver Sears Gallery and London’s John Martin Gallery and Quantum Contemporary Art as first-time exhibitors. Additionally, Art of Contemporary Africa is presenting works by Dr. Esther Mahlangu, a prominent visual artist and cultural ambassador of the Ndebele nation.
A highlight includes the first public showing in over 40 years of Karl A. Meyer’s woodcut prints, created during his early years in the 1980s on New York’s Crosby Street. Moreover, the fair is launching its new Latin American Pavilion, curated by Marisa Caichiolo, who has been chosen to co-curate Chile’s pavilion at the upcoming 2026 Venice Biennale.
Kassandra Voyagis, the fair’s producer and director, emphasized the significance of the new pavilion. "Caichiolo, the curator behind our non-commercial platform DIVERSEartLA, is introducing the Latin American Pavilion. We believe this addition meaningfully advances our global mission by spotlighting emerging artists from across the American continent. Elevating these artists is more essential than ever, and the pavilion aims to amplify their voices and celebrate Latin America’s profound cultural and creative influence worldwide,” she said.
Caichiolo underscored the importance of representation for Latin American artists, stating, “At a moment when immigration issues continue to disproportionately impact Latin American communities, it is especially important to provide a platform for these artists. Their perspectives are vital to a more complete and equitable understanding of contemporary art, yet they remain underrepresented at major fairs. This pavilion seeks to amplify their voices and affirm the cultural and creative contributions of Latin America on the global stage.”
The fair will also showcase works by Paul Simonon, the iconic bassist of The Clash, while enhancing its representation from Korea with 15 participating galleries. Voyagis noted the fair’s evolution since she took over as producer and director in 2021, shifting its focus toward contemporary art to better reflect the changing tastes of collectors.
Having served as the executive director for 16 years prior, Voyagis brings a rich background in the arts, being a third-generation entertainer. Since its inception in 1994, the LA Art Show has expanded significantly, moving from the Pasadena Convention Center, where it started with 14 galleries, to its current home at the LA Convention Center.
“It has always led the way with innovative programming and one-of-a-kind experiences for an expanding collecting audience,” Voyagis remarked. She believes that Los Angeles has firmly established itself as a global art capital. “What makes the city so compelling is its mix of world-class institutions, influential galleries, and a deeply diverse creative community that constantly pushes boundaries,” she explained. “The city’s cultural landscape is shaped by its international communities, role as a creative crossroads for the Americas, and unique connections to film, music, and technology."
"The fair reflects this dynamic: collectors, curators, and artists from around the world recognize LA as a place where important conversations in contemporary art are happening. It’s no longer an emerging scene. LA is a major force, and as the city’s largest and longest-running fair, we are proud of the pioneering role we have played in LA’s emergence as a global epicenter of art and culture.”
The LA Art Show will take place from January 7 to January 11 at the LA Convention Center, located at 1201 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles. Tickets start at $40, with 15% of proceeds benefiting the American Heart Association’s Life is Why campaign.
