In sprawling metropolitan landscapes defined by towering cultural institutions, the ongoing vitality of a creative community often relies on the grassroots support of independent artists, designers, and local makers. While massive capital projects and the grand openings of world-renowned institutions like the David Geffen Galleries at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art regularly capture international headlines and draw global crowds, a different kind of cultural momentum quietly pulses through the city’s neighborhoods. This vibrant undercurrent was recently on full display during the third annual LA Design Week/end (LAD/W).
Spanning an impressive array of group exhibitions, curated studio tours, and site-specific events hosted in independent galleries and creative spaces throughout the city, LAD/W has evolved dramatically since its inception. What began just three years ago as an intimate, grassroots initiative featuring 40 participating locations has blossomed into a sprawling citywide celebration. The most recent iteration encompassed more than 140 distinct activations, expanding its original weekend format into a robust five-day cultural exploration that gives visitors the necessary time to truly immerse themselves in Los Angeles’ diverse design ecosystem.
The Genesis of an Independent Movement
Three years ago, LAD/W founder Holland Denvir experienced the defining lightbulb moment that would eventually spark the entire movement. Operating on the belief that Los Angeles desperately needed a community-oriented design festival capable of championing the unvarnished work of independent artists and makers, Denvir began shaping an alternative to traditional trade shows. Rather than herding visitors through a sterile convention hall floor illuminated by harsh fluorescent lighting, Denvir envisioned an organic experience where art lovers, collectors, and the curious public could travel directly into the physical spaces where creativity happens—exploring working studios, independent galleries, and hidden neighborhood hubs.
During its inaugural year, that vision took root through pure word of mouth. With no participation fees for creatives and completely free public access, the festival opened 40 locations across the city. This commitment to accessibility generated an overwhelmingly enthusiastic public reaction, drawing more than 8,000 attendees who were eager to connect with creators on their own turf.
As the years progressed, the festival experienced exponential growth, ultimately expanding to showcase more than 140 locations and stretching across five full days. This expansion prompted a subtle rebranding to "week/end," a deliberate shift designed to give attendees the breathing room required to navigate Los Angeles’ notorious geography and experience a greater cross-section of the festival’s offerings. Furthermore, LAD/W’s open-call framework for artists and first-time curators has continuously created vital opportunities to spotlight a remarkably wide array of creative voices. While the event initially placed a heavy emphasis on homegrown local talent, its submission windows have since expanded to welcome participants from across the United States and around the globe.
Braving the Heatwave and Celebrating Local Icons
The logistics of staging a decentralized, citywide festival in Los Angeles are never simple, but the most recent edition threw a particularly sweltering wrench into the proceedings via a severe regional heatwave. When visitors turned out in record numbers despite the punishing temperatures, Denvir expressed profound gratitude, noting that the extreme weather did nothing to dampen public attendance or community enthusiasm.
Among the hotspots weathering the heat was the studio of veteran ceramic artist Peter Shire. Surrounded by a dazzling array of Shire’s signature colorful and whimsical creations, Denvir and the legendary artist beamed with shared creative energy. Beaming brightly amid his sculptures, Shire offered a simple philosophy for his enduring work: "Color makes me feel good."
"Peter has been a part of LAD/W since the first year," Denvir reflects, praising the artist’s enduring spirit. "He is so quirky and cool." While the festival continually prioritizes lifting up fresh and emerging voices, Shire represents a stabilizing pillar who has anchored the Los Angeles creative community for decades. "We are happy to have his stamp of approval."
The immediate surroundings of Shire’s studio offered a microcosm of the festival’s community-driven ethos. Just outside the door, chef and artist Natalia Pereira was busy preparing a special culinary offering for attendees, while next door, Ava Shire—Peter Shire’s daughter—exhibited her own distinct ceramic works at the Neighborhood Salon. A short distance away, Dusk presented a compelling showcase of rustic yet refined wood furniture, anchored by a striking mirror composed of concentric circles suspended above a large console table. This centerpiece featured geometric layers that paid clear homage to Josef Albers’ legendary "Homage to the Square" series.
A Citywide Tapestry of Studios and Special Exhibitions
Despite the challenging heat, dedicated design enthusiasts braved the elements to traverse the city, visiting more than a hundred studios, galleries, and storefronts that flung open their doors for special programming. In East Hollywood, ceramicist Daniel Dooreck welcomed the public into his working environment at Danny D’s Mud Shop for an open studio event. Meanwhile, The Future Perfect hosted an intimate design brunch within its famed residential gallery setting, interior designer Amy Sklar led exclusive tours of her private home, and Block Shop offered an early preview of its latest fabric and wallpaper collections.
Design history also found a prominent home during the festivities. Midcentury furniture designer Paul McCobb is now the subject of a dedicated private home museum located in Silver Lake, which operates by appointment. During the festival, museum founder Yogi Proctor led daily tours through a special exhibition created specifically to debut alongside LAD/W. Proctor has meticulously outfitted his residence with authentic McCobb furniture, historical ephemera, and an extensive archive of vintage magazines and books documenting the prolific designer’s monumental impact on 20th-century design.
Beyond individual studios and historic homes, LAD/W actively bolstered the city’s curatorial talent through a series of thoughtful group exhibitions. In partnership with Alabaster Projects, a powerful exhibition titled "Our Joy is Resistance" was curated by Sarah Al-Qatou. The showcase brought together a diverse collection of paintings, photography, sculpture, and assemblage, all unified by an exploration of the radical power found in joy and wonder.
Further east in Boyle Heights, the Small Green Door hosted its lively "Rhythm of the Night" event. The multi-faceted gathering featured a compelling group exhibition, site-specific installations, hands-on public workshops, and continuous ambient DJ sets broadcast by dublab.
Reflecting on the atmosphere at Boyle Heights, Denvir shared a telling observation recounted by one of the workshop hosts: attendees were remarkably absent from their phones. "The host of a workshop pointed out to me that people were not on their phones," Denvir recalls. "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 organization immediately turns its attention toward planning for 2027, Denvir looks forward to channeling even greater energy and excitement into the fabric of the city. While the core founders and organizing team begin gathering institutional and community support for their upcoming endeavors, LAD/W will maintain its momentum by hosting community workshops throughout the year. These ongoing initiatives, alongside upcoming application windows for the fourth annual installment, promise to continually expand an evolving, inclusive map of site-specific art and design experiences distributed across every corner of Los Angeles.
