Photo by WHY Architecture
The 2023 art fair season is about to begin in Los Angeles, and this year it is bigger than ever.
Beginning February 15th, five major art fairs will be running simultaneously, which means you'll want to map out your "must-see" shows ahead of time in order to avoid getting caught up in LA traffic.
Art fairs are a great place for artists, collectors, and organizations to network and get inspired by various kinds of work from all over the world. To get the most out of the events, don’t forget you can create a Contact Record in your Artwork Archive account right from your phone and add notes about your interaction. You can also schedule a reminder to follow up with that person at a later time.
To help you prepare, we’ve rounded up the main art fairs and a brief description of what to expect. For more detailed information including exhibitor lists, admission fees, and time slots, please visit each of their respective websites.
The L.A. Art Show
February 15-19, LA Convention Center West Hall
To kick it all off, LA’s largest and longest-running art fair will return for its 28th edition to the Los Angeles Convention Center from February 15th to 19th. Their commitment to creating the most comprehensive international contemporary art experience in America means visitors can expect art of every type of medium including painting, sculpture, works on paper, installation, photography, design, video, and performance from over 100 galleries, museums and non-profit organizations around the world.
Felix Art Fair
February 15-19, The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel
Beginning in 2018, Felix Art Fair offers visitors a unique experience with their poolside setting at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. In contrast to some of the other larger art fairs, Felix consists of 60 international exhibiting galleries. Co-founders Dean Valentine, Al Morán, and Mills Morán aim to foster “intimate experiences that prioritize conversation, collaboration, and community.”
Spring/Break Art Show LA
February 15-19, Skylight Culver City
Returning for its fourth edition in LA this year, Spring/Break Art Show is an internationally recognized curator-led exhibition platform. Beginning in New York, the two founders, Andrew Gori and Ambre Kelly, challenge the traditional cultural landscape of the art market by exhibiting in underused and atypical spaces. Each year, the exhibition follows a theme and for 2023 it is “NAKED LUNCH.”
Frieze LA
February 16-19, Santa Monica Airport
The notable Frieze Art Fair will return for its fourth and largest edition to date at its new expanded location, the Santa Monica Airport. With over 120 participating galleries from 22 countries, fairgoers can expect to see work presented by some of the city’s most recognizable names in the art world.
In addition, an expanded “Frieze Week” program of exhibitions will begin on February 13 all over the city at various participating locations from artist-driven spaces to major institutions.
Photo Forward Los Angeles
February 18-19, Danziger Gallery, Bergamot Station Arts Center
Produced by Photographic Arts Council Los Angeles, Photo Forward Los Angeles will be the non-profit’s inaugural art fair focused on furthering “an evolving and public conversation about photography and lens-based arts.” Not far from where Frieze will be taking place in Santa Monica, Danziger Gallery in Bergamot Station will host exhibitors showcasing vintage and contemporary works from diverse curatorial perspectives.
Before you go
No matter what, the best way to enjoy an art fair is to stay present and allow yourself to really take in all the different work around you. Notice what draws you in, who inspires you and let that awareness inform your own appreciation or opinion. And... wear comfortable shoes!
