LA Louver, the oldest gallery in Los Angeles, has announced that it will be closing its physical space in Venice this fall to focus on private art dealing and consulting. The gallery, founded by Peter and Elizabeth Goulds in 1975, has been a prominent fixture in the LA art scene for over 50 years. Its mission has been to showcase Southern California artists in an international context and introduce international artists to the region.
Throughout its history, LA Louver has organized 667 shows featuring over 430 artists, including renowned names like David Hockney, Edward and Nancy Kienholz, and Alison Saar. The gallery has played a significant role in shaping the cultural landscape of Los Angeles and beyond.
In a bittersweet announcement, artist Alison Saar expressed her sentiments about the transition, highlighting the importance of preserving LA Louver’s legacy and its impact on the local art scene. The gallery will be donating its archive and library, which span decades of correspondence, photography, and publications, to the Huntington library in San Marino. This extensive collection will join the institution’s archives dedicated to the cultural history of Southern California.
The decision to shift focus comes amidst a wave of gallery closures in LA, signaling a changing landscape in the art world. LA Louver will be moving its operations to a warehouse in West Adams, where it will host private viewings and special projects by appointment. The new model aligns with the gallery’s early years, emphasizing project-based creative endeavors over regular public exhibitions.
The archives and library donation to the Huntington marks a significant contribution to preserving the history of LA’s art scene for future generations. The collection will be processed and transferred over the coming years, adding to the institution’s diverse holdings of materials related to Southern California culture.
Overall, LA Louver’s transition reflects a strategic shift towards a more personalized approach to art dealing and consulting, while ensuring the preservation of its rich history and legacy in the Los Angeles art community.
