Pablo Picasso Jim Dine Pompidou Plans a Roving Museum Sotheby's Scores Bilbao, the Sequel? Season Opens Softly at Christie’s From Raging Bulls to Miserable Drips New York Sales Preview

Send a letter to the Editor

Save to Del.icio.us Digg this

On through January 27, the show looks so far to be a success. Kim Martindale, the fair's producer, said he turned away galleries that "should be here" and allotted smaller spaces than many exhibitors requested, and stars Owen Wilson, William Shatner, Rebecca De Mornay, and Patricia Heaton brought extra attention to the opening night gala on Wednesday.

Sponsored by the Fine Art Dealers Association, the show, which began by hosting 19th-century European works, has expanded to include contemporary and international art and the L.A. Fine Print Fair, previously staged at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. All but two exhibitors were U.S.-based last year; this year, galleries came from Canada, Germany, New Zealand, South Korea, Sweden, and the U.K.

While still less prominent than New York's Armory Show and Art Basel Miami Beach, the L.A. show offers works at a wide range of prices. Works by top artists are available, including a set of 18 robes created by Jim Dine in 2005 from Jonathan Novak Contemporary Art of Los Angeles and 1946 working prints by Picasso from Galerie Michael of Beverly Hills.

Organizers are considering moving the show, up from 82 dealers last year, to the downtown Los Angeles Convention Center next year.