In sprawling global metropolises dominated by mega-institutions and headline-grabbing museum expansions—such as the upcoming David Geffen Galleries at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art—the true lifeblood of the local creative community often lies in the grassroots work of independent artists, designers, and makers. While massive capital projects capture international attention, a quieter yet deeply impactful cultural shift has been taking root across the neighborhoods of Los Angeles.
The recent iteration of the rapidly expanding LA Design Week/end (LAD/W) brought group exhibitions, open-studio tours, and interactive design events to commercial galleries, private homes, and hidden creative spaces throughout the city. What began just three years ago as an intimate, word-of-mouth initiative spanning 40 locations has blossomed into a sprawling, five-day celebration. The event now features more than 140 distinct activations, prompting organizers to formally expand the original weekend format into a comprehensive week/end celebration designed to give attendees ample time to experience the breadth of the city’s independent design landscape.
Reflecting on the festival’s trajectory, LAD/W founder Holland Denvir recalls the initial lightbulb moment that sparked the entire enterprise. Denvir recognized a distinct need for a community-oriented design festival in Los Angeles that would directly champion the labor, vision, and ingenuity of independent creators. Rather than herding visitors through a sterile convention hall floor illuminated by harsh fluorescent lighting, Denvir envisioned an immersive citywide experience where art enthusiasts, collectors, and the general public could tour actual working studios and independent galleries.
During the festival’s inaugural year, 40 locations opened their doors to the public entirely through word of mouth, operating without any participation fees or ticketing barriers. This radical accessibility struck a chord, drawing an enthusiastic response and welcoming more than 8,000 attendees who were eager to connect directly with the city’s makers. Over the subsequent three years, that initial momentum has snowballed. The event’s expansion to more than 140 locations and five full days necessitated the name change to "week/end," ensuring that visitors could navigate the geographic sprawl of Los Angeles without feeling rushed. Furthermore, LAD/W’s open calls for artists and first-time curators have deliberately created platforms to elevate a diverse array of voices, shifting from a primarily local focus to welcoming submissions from across the United States and around the globe.
Braving the Elements to Celebrate Local Creativity
The recent festival encountered an unexpected logistical challenge in the form of a severe Los Angeles heatwave, casting a sweltering wrinkle over the proceedings. Yet, when visitors turned out in record-breaking numbers despite the soaring temperatures, Denvir expressed profound gratitude, noting that the intense heat failed to dampen either public attendance or general enthusiasm.
Among the hotspots weathering the heat was the studio of veteran ceramic artist Peter Shire. Surrounded by a vibrant array of his whimsical, brightly colored creations, Denvir and Shire shared a moment of mutual appreciation. "Color makes me feel good," Shire remarked with a broad smile, embodying the joyful spirit that permeates much of his iconic body of work.
"Peter has been a part of LAD/W since the first year," Denvir says, reflecting on the enduring relationship. "He is so quirky and cool." While the festival continually prioritizes shedding light on emerging voices and new talent, Shire remains a towering fixture of the Los Angeles creative community whose decades-long career has helped define the city’s aesthetic identity. "We are happy to have his stamp of approval," Denvir adds.
Just outside Shire’s studio doors, chef and artist Natalia Pereira was busy preparing a special culinary offering for attendees. Steps away, Ava Shire—Peter Shire’s daughter—was showcasing her own distinct ceramics at the Neighborhood Salon. Nearby, design studio Dusk exhibited a collection of rustic yet refined wood furniture, anchored by a striking mirror featuring concentric circles hung above a large console table. The piece was crafted using geometric layers directly inspired by Josef Albers’ celebrated "Homage to the Square" series.
A Citywide Tapestry of Studios, Homes, and Group Exhibitions
Despite the challenging weather, attendees braved the elements to traverse the city, exploring more than a hundred studios, galleries, and storefronts hosting bespoke activations. In East Hollywood, ceramicist Daniel Dooreck welcomed the public for an open-studio event at Danny D’s Mud Shop. Design destination The Future Perfect served as the picturesque setting for an exclusive design brunch, while interior designer Amy Sklar opened her private residence for guided tours. Meanwhile, textile and home goods brand Block Shop offered visitors an early preview of their upcoming fabric and wallpaper collections.
The integration of private spaces into the public-facing festival offered rare glimpses into collections usually shielded from everyday view. In Silver Lake, midcentury modern furniture designer Paul McCobb became the focus of a private home museum that opened its doors to the public by appointment. During the festival, museum founder Yogi Proctor led daily tours through the space to view a special exhibition created specifically for the event. Proctor has meticulously outfitted his home with authentic McCobb furniture, vintage ephemera, and an extensive archive of historical magazines and books documenting the prolific designer’s lasting impact on 20th-century American design.
Beyond individual studios and private collections, LAD/W provided vital institutional support for independent curators through a series of ambitious group exhibitions staged across the urban landscape. In partnership with Alabaster Projects, an exhibition titled "Our Joy is Resistance" was curated by Sarah Al-Qatou. The showcase brought together a powerful collection of paintings, photography, sculpture, and assemblage, centering its thematic focus on the radical power of joy and wonder amidst contemporary challenges.
In Boyle Heights, Small Green Door hosted an energetic event titled "Rhythm of the Night," which featured a comprehensive group show, site-specific installations, hands-on creative workshops, and ambient DJ sets curated by independent radio platform dublab.
"The host of a workshop pointed out to me that people were not on their phones," Denvir recalls of the experience. "I was getting tattooed while my friends were making pom-poms. It is important for me that we’re in the present moment with LA Design Weekend. It’s fun to see it explode on Instagram, but those moments that we don’t get to see through social media, where people are enjoying the experience and making things, is even more important."
As the organizing team turns its attention toward planning for the 2027 edition, Denvir looks forward to channeling even greater energy into the growing festival. While preparations and fundraising efforts get underway for the fourth annual installment, LAD/W plans to host various community-focused workshops throughout the year. These ongoing events will provide continuous opportunities for makers and curators to apply for participation, steadily building an evolving, inclusive map of site-specific art and design experiences that span the entirety of Los Angeles.
