Outside the Box: LA Galleries

Located in Mid-Wilshire, Roberts Projects commissions works from their artists specifically for the gallery space, which create exhibitions showcasing unique collaborations between gallery space and artist. Their programming is rich, diverse, and ambitious, emphasizing museum-quality, installation-based exhibitions. Representing artists like Betye Saar, Kehinde Wiley, and Ed Templeton to name a few, it is safe to expect unexpected perspectives from established to emerging contemporary artists at Roberts Projects.

This gallery’s Koreatown location has a speakeasy feel-- it is easy to miss its inconspicuous iron gate, and an entry code from their website is necessary for entry. Once in, you go up two flights to a wood-floored, light-filled, beautiful gallery space very much worth the journey. Commonwealth and Council was founded by artist and curator Young Chung in his apartment which was on Commonwealth Avenue and Council Street. For years, his home functioned as a residency and exhibition space for contemporary artists. Since 2010, Commonwealth and Council has expanded to its current, larger location in Los Angeles and another equally cool space in Mexico City. Even with its significant commercial success, the space and its exhibitions still retain the energy of a young artists’ collective. It is one the best alternative/underground art galleries in the city.

Located on Melrose Avenue in the heart of Hollywood, Make Room’s 4500 square foot gallery features bright rays of Los Angeles light that illuminate multiple exhibition spaces accompanied by a pretty courtyard and garden. Gallery owner and director Emilia Yin, who was recently named in Forbes’ 30 under 30, champions emerging female artists of color. Her artists are some of the most original voices in the Los Angeles art scene. Make Room also works with a new generation of collectors and institutions, expanding the playing field and opportunity for the female vanguard of contemporary art.

Hailing from the Bowery in New York City, The Hole expanded to its 8000 square foot space on La Brea Avenue in 2022. This gallery curates contemporary art exhibitions around super cool, original themes. Their recent exhibition titled “Storage Wars,” challenged a group of artists to envision what goes on inside the shipping crate of an artwork in transport. They host performances, events, and special projects across disciplines to support collaboration and give voice to the city’s artistic community.

Although they have their Los Angeles flagship gallery on La Brea Avenue, Beyond the Streets is a global movement. Beyond the Streets and the adjacent Control Gallery showcase graffiti and street art creators; they pride themselves on celebrating the artists who are mark-makers, rule-breakers, agitators, and instigators. They push the very idea of what art is and where it belongs with massive-scale exhibitions, pop-up events, immersive installations, and 80+ publications.

Founded in 2010 by Davida Nemeroff, Night Gallery started in a Lincoln Heights strip mall storefront, with openings that went from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. They have since moved to the Downtown Los Angeles Arts District. In 2022, they opened an additional gallery called Night Gallery North. Still loyal to its unconventional roots, Night Gallery pairs joyful, experimental curation with original artists.

Founded in 2012, Anat Ebgi gallery occupies three gallery spaces in Mid-Wilshire, Los Feliz, and Culver City. Ebgi’s curatorial style focuses on artists from diverse backgrounds with unique perspectives. The gallery particularly shines with their large-scale exhibitions and grand, public performances.