Contemporary Art Galleries, Artist-Run Spaces and Open Studios in Los Angeles This October (2026)

Where to see contemporary art in Los Angeles this October: Chung King Road and DTLA galleries, Sawtelle, Melrose Hill, Eagle Rock, and the Long Beach Open Studio Tour.

By The Antre team · · 3 min read

Antre blog card: Los Angeles, galleries, artist-run spaces and open studios, October 2026

Short answer: Start on Saturday, October 3. GR2 on Sawtelle opens “Pescaderia” from 6 to 9 PM, and Gloria Delson Contemporary Art in downtown opens a group show the same evening, 6 to 9 PM. Charlie James Gallery on Chung King Road has two shows on view, and the Long Beach Open Studio Tour (not in LA proper) runs on four October weekends.

Where can you see contemporary art galleries in Los Angeles this October?

  • Charlie James Gallery, 969 Chung King Road, Chinatown. Narsiso Martinez, “Eat Happy,” September 25 to November 7. At 961 Chung King Road, The Perez Bros. show new paintings in “Lookout Weekend,” about lowrider car culture, September 11 to October 24.
  • as-is.la. Julie Shafer, “The Parting of the Ways,” and Jennifer Celio, “Species in Danger,” September 12 to October 17.
  • Baert Gallery. A group show, “The transcendence of memory,” opens the gallery’s new Melrose Hill location. September 12 to October 24.
  • GR2 (Giant Robot), 2062 Sawtelle Boulevard. “Pescaderia,” by Priscilla Moreno and Erick Martinez, October 3 to 19. Opening reception Saturday, October 3, 6 to 9 PM. An online tour is planned for noon PT the same day.
  • Gloria Delson Contemporary Art, 727 South Spring Street, downtown. “The Urgency of Now: Que No Pasaran,” a group show curated through TAG (The Artists Gallery), opens Saturday, October 3, 6 to 9 PM. It is a politically engaged show, so expect that tone.

Which artist-run and independent spaces are worth the trip?

  • Kive Studio, “Ctrl+Save,” at Art/Space 114 in downtown. Seven artists, October 1 to 11, with programs October 1 to 3 during the DTLA Art Walk.
  • Arroyo Arts Collective with the Center for the Arts Eagle Rock, 2225 Colorado Boulevard. “This Land Is Your Land,” a group show about climate and local action, through October 15. Closing event Thursday, October 15, 5 to 8 PM.

Where are the open studios near Los Angeles this October?

  • Long Beach Open Studio Tour (Long Beach, a separate city in LA County, not LA itself). Free, 1 to 5 PM. Four weekends, one neighborhood each: October 3 and 4 Belmont, October 10 and 11 Uptown, October 17 and 18 Downtown, October 24 and 25 Eastside. More at lbopenstudiotour.com.

Key facts

  • City: Los Angeles. Month: October 2026.
  • Opening night: Saturday, October 3. GR2 and Gloria Delson, both 6 to 9 PM.
  • Closing soon: Kive Studio (October 11), Arroyo Arts Collective (October 15), as-is.la (October 17), Baert and Perez Bros. (October 24).
  • Open studios: Long Beach, 1 to 5 PM, October 3 to 25, free.
  • LA is spread out. Group stops by area: Chinatown, Sawtelle, downtown, Melrose Hill.

How do you plan a gallery day in a city this spread out?

Pick one area per outing. Chung King Road and downtown fit one day on foot or transit. Sawtelle is its own trip. Choose one work per stop and stay with it a few minutes before you read the label. Small galleries and open studios are where you can talk to the artist directly.

FAQ

Are these free?

Gallery visits and the Long Beach Open Studio Tour are free to enter. Confirm with each venue.

What is the best night to start?

Saturday, October 3, with two openings from 6 to 9 PM.

Which spaces are artist-run?

Kive Studio and Arroyo Arts Collective are artist and collective led. The others are independent galleries.

Is Long Beach part of Los Angeles?

No, it is a separate city in LA County. It is on this list for its open studios.

Sources

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