Artist Interviews 2025

LA Art Show - Preview 2026  
By Julia Siedenburg



The LA Art Show 2026: Where global Masters of the Art World come together to shine and educate

This January, the Los Angeles Convention Center will once again open its doors to one of the city’s most anticipated cultural events—the 31st edition of the LA Art Show, running from January 7 to 11, 2026. The LA Art Show, one of the few remaining independent art fairs, returns with tickets now available, continuing to define Los Angeles as a global art capital that thrives on innovation, inclusivity, and cross-cultural dialogue. Once January comes around, our team always ecstatically awaits the arrival of this Art Show. There is no better way to start the year and it truly never fails to surprise and amaze us. Wandering through those spaces is like getting lost in Wonderland. Every year, we are in awe of the talent that travels from near and far to showcase their work. Creativity is truly all around us and each artist, each gallery and each country has their very own unique collection of masterpieces. We have written about our previous visits in the past as you probably remember. This time we thought that instead of offering our readers a report, it might be more exciting to give a little sneak-peak instead. As the city’s longest-running independent art fair, the LA Art Show has become far more than a marketplace. It’s a living snapshot of the global art world—where ideas, movements, and cultures connect in a dazzling mix of mediums. This year’s fair brings together over 100 international galleries, expanding its global reach with first-time exhibitors from Ireland and the UK, alongside long-standing participants from across Asia, Europe, and the Americas.





Previous LA Art Show

Among this year’s most talked-about highlights is Sylvester Stallone’s solo presentation, offering visitors an unexpected look at the actor’s creative world through his powerful, expressive paintings. The Dublin-based Oliver Sears Gallery marks a milestone as the first Irish gallery to participate, while Pontone Gallery (London) will showcase works by self-taught Manchester artist and professional rock drummer, Chris Rivers, whose vivid, dreamlike canvases bridge the worlds of music and visual art. From Switzerland, LICHT FELD Gallery presents the extraordinary rediscovery of Karl A. Meyer’s woodcut prints, created during his transformative years in 1980s New York City—when he lived among some of the most influential artists of the era on Crosby Street. These rare works, unseen for nearly four decades, offer a fascinating window into that legendary creative period. Beyond its global roster of exhibitors, this year’s fair will also feature a Latin American Pavilion, spotlighting emerging artists from across the continent and infusing the event with the energy and vibrancy of new perspectives. Together, these additions reflect the fair’s ongoing evolution—rooted in Los Angeles’ own diverse and ever-expanding creative landscape.







The fair opens with its signature Opening Night Premiere Gala on January 7, an evening of art, music, and connection that sets the tone for the days ahead. The gala also underscores the show’s commitment to community impact, with proceeds benefiting the American Heart Association, aligning creativity with compassion. The LA Art Show first started working with the AHA in 2024. While the LA Art Show attracts collectors, curators, and art lovers from around the world, it remains welcoming to all. Wandering through its expansive halls feels like moving through a global dialogue—each booth a story, each artwork a new voice. Whether discovering rising stars or rediscovering long-forgotten masters, visitors are invited to engage, question, and be inspired. A special mention also goes to the return of DIVERSEartLA (curated by Marisa Caichiolo), a non-commercial platform I’ve highlighted in previous articles for its ongoing commitment to amplifying diverse artistic voices across the city and “ continuing to explore the evolving landscape of contemporary art through the lens of biennials and museums, emphasizing their complementary roles and tensions”.





This year, their presence at the LA Art Show continues that mission—bridging underrepresented communities, independent creators, and cultural dialogue through thoughtful curation and collaboration. In many ways, DIVERSEartLA embodies what makes Los Angeles’ art scene so compelling: a fusion of perspectives that celebrates individuality while building shared understanding. Their return to the fair underscores how the LA Art Show remains not just a space for viewing art, but for nurturing the inclusive spirit that drives it—an especially fitting reminder as the fair itself celebrates over 30 years as a cornerstone of the city’s cultural landscape. “Caichiolo will also oversee the curation of an invitation-only Latin American Pavilion, bringing the flavor of emerging artists from other regions of the American Continent.”





For those planning to attend, a few tips can help make the most of the experience: arrive early on general admission days to explore installations before the crowds; give yourself enough time to explore each wall and corner; if possible, attend the Opening Night Premiere for a more personal encounter with artists and gallerists; and, most importantly, allow space for surprise—the fair’s greatest moments often appear where you least expect them. What is also important to mention is that “with the American Heart Association serving as the charity beneficiary, receiving 15% of proceeds from every ticket sold for their Life is Why ™ campaign. What a great way to support such an important cause”.





As it celebrates its 31st year, the LA Art Show stands not only as a leading art fair but as a celebration of what makes Los Angeles itself so magnetic: a city unafraid to reinvent, to take risks, and to open its arms to the world. In its mix of innovation and tradition, global reach and local soul, the LA Art Show 2026 promises to once again remind us that art, at its best, is about connection—between people, ideas, and the ever-evolving world around us. If you should not be able to make it to the Convention Center that weekend, don’t despair because “LA Art Show will be followed by its East Coast counterpart, Art Palm Beach, returning for its fourth edition from January 28 to February 1, 2026 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center.”



That is all that we can tell you for now, dear reader. Make sure you buy your tickets and attend this magnificent event.