Dear Reader,

As I’ve been saying since the dawn of Artillery (16 years ago now): LA is the most vibrant art city in the country. This isn’t exactly a revelation, so why focus on LA—yet again—in this current issue? Because we felt it was worth revisiting the subject in order to help all the high-end international and New York galleries that are moving here to settle in and feel secure that they did the right thing.

I made a point to get out more this summer and was reminded how exciting LA’s art scene really is. Our recent transplants might be happy to know that we celebrate summer in a big way, with glamorous alfresco galas held in spacious plazas on balmy nights. This season, my art expeditions took me to The Cheech gala benefit in Riverside, a surprisingly quaint and dusty city about an hour’s drive from LA, while Night Gallery held their Sexy Beast Benefit Auction for Planned Parenthood at their newly expanded space. A stage was set up in the spacious outdoor area for the emcee and various comedians; local vendors served duck tacos and vegan croquets, and there was plenty of wine. Both events—filled with mirth (and hopefully deep pockets)—were for worthy causes. 

A Cy Twombly exhibition found us at an early evening preview and reception amid the marble and fountains on the Getty Plaza as we sipped wine and watched the sun set over the Pacific. Then there’s always The Hammer. Everyone loves the Hammer openings (sometimes affectionately known as “the Hammered”). The opening celebration was for Andrea Bower’s powerful survey exhibition, which felt eerily prescient and poignant considering that Roe v Wade had just been overturned. However, we were a bit nonplussed by the scene of caterers whisking away the VIP spread promptly at 8 pm when the hoi polloi arrived. Uh, let them eat breadsticks?

Galas and benefits aren’t the only show in town, of course. There are still tons of gallery openings to go to—and drive to, unfortunately. Getting to and from all these events is a huge inconvenience in such a sprawling city. Attending a Getty event means leaving a few hours early, and begrudgingly having to stay sober for the drive back. Going from opening to opening can be a drag—parking counting for most of the discontent. There can be a lot of ground to cover if you want to fit in several openings—and this is the biggest drawback to living in this great metropolis.

I’m sure the new kids on the block aren’t strangers to big cities though, and we’re only too happy to show them around. Our cover artist, Zoe Walsh is interviewed by newcomer Olivia Fishman. Their complex stunning pool painting series seemed apt for a typically sweltering LA September. Contributor Clayton Campbell profiles stalwart local artist Mark Steven Greenfield, whose work continues the much-needed dialog surrounding racial tension. Doug Harvey steps in with a piece on desert artist Daniel Hawkins—his light tower installation is having its fifth-year anniversary. And there’s much more: Ask Babs confronts Larry Clark; our comic-strip duo knock it out of the park with their spoof on LA architecture, plus reviews of summer shows.

So, if you’re new in town, get out there and see LA’s best for the beginning of the art season (check out our Fall Previews). And if you’re not new in town, get out there anyway. Happy Fall Art Season Art Lovers! Aren’t you glad you live in LA?