1. The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles’s Gala
With MOCA’s financial future in question, we pushed this event to the bottom of our list in 2008—but reserved a space for it in the hopes of a big comeback. And it came. In November, MOCA’s gala set a fund-raising record ($4 million), with a performance by Lady Gaga and Bolshoi Ballet dancers.
2. Hammer Museum’s Gala in the Garden
The Hammer’s seventh annual gala in October honored artist Kara Walker and writer Dave Eggers at a sold-out dinner for 535. The growing gala raised $1.3 million—the most in its history.
3. Los Angeles Art Show
The 15th annual show ran January 20 through 24, presented by the Fine Art Dealers Association and KR Martindale Show Management, who shifted the dates so the fair would not overlap with the Grammys on January 31. The show drew about 40,000 to the Los Angeles Convention Center.
4. Orange County Art of Dining Benefit
The 2010 Art of Dining gala on May 8 began with a cocktail reception sponsored by Patrón and Good Gracious, with a private viewing of three newly installed exhibitions. Guests then were shuttled to the Island Hotel for a four-course dinner with live disco and funk. The event’s take was about $400,000.
5. Westweek
The Pacific Design Center hosts this trade event that welcomes thousands of design industry folks and journalists each spring for showroom programs, showcases, special events, demos, and book signings. The 2010 event took place March 24 and 25.
6. San Diego Museum of Art’s Art Alive
Between April 29 and May 2, the museum transformed into a spectacle of art and flowers. About 13,000 attendees came to check out the exhibition of arrangements by more than 100 floral designers who took inspiration from the museum’s collection.
7. International Los Angeles Photographic Art Exposition
Photo L.A. returned to the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium from January 14 to 17. The 19-year-old show included an opening-night reception to benefit the Wallis Annenberg Photography Department at Lacma, and was co-hosted by photographer David LaChapelle.
8. Los Angeles Antiques Show
More than 60 prestigious local and international exhibitors showed off antique furniture and decorative and fine arts at this 15-year-old fair, which took to the Barker Hangar April 22 through 25. A preview gala on April 21 benefited the P.S. Arts organization.
9. Laguna Beach Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters
The Laguna Beach Festival of Arts runs from July 5 to August 31, 2010. The annual Pageant of the Masters—faithful re-creations of classical and contemporary works with real people posing to look like the subjects in the original pieces—runs from July 7 to August 31, with the annual gala on August 28.
10. ArtWalk San Diego
The Mission Federal ArtWalk San Diego took place on April 24 and 25 in Little Italy. This 26-year-old free art event showcases the work of more than 400 artists.
11. Venice Art Walk
Hosted by the Venice Family Clinic on May 22 and 23, the 31st annual event had a 400-lot auction, more than 50 studios with exhibits, food from local restaurants, live entertainment, and access to homes and private art collections. More than 900 volunteers participated, and Classic Party Rentals was a major sponsor.
12. Art Los Angeles Contemporary
This international contemporary art fair took place at the Pacific Design Center from January 28 to 31. The event showcased 55 international and L.A.-based exhibitors and attracted 9,000 collectors, curators, artists, and fans.
13. Redondo Beach International Antiques Fair
The 12th annual fair will take over the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center from July 23 to 25. The fair typically draws more than 75 exhibitors and between 2,500 and 5,000 attendees.
