Los Angeles is getting a fresh dose of contemporary art this week as The Other Art Fair returns to the city with a four-day event built around independent artists, immersive experiences and artwork that visitors can actually take home.
The Los Angeles edition opens Thursday, September 24, at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica and runs through Sunday, September 27. The event features more than 160 independent artists from Los Angeles and around the world.
A Different Kind of Art Fair Comes to Barker Hangar
The Other Art Fair is taking over Barker Hangar at 3021 Airport Ave. for its 16th Los Angeles edition.
Instead of focusing only on traditional gallery-style displays, the fair combines original artwork with immersive installations, performances, DJs and interactive experiences. The organizers describe the event as a way to experience art outside the traditional white-wall gallery setting.
The format is designed to make browsing art feel more casual and approachable, giving visitors an opportunity to meet artists directly and discover work from creators who may not yet have a major gallery presence.
More Than 160 Artists Will Be Featured
The 2026 Los Angeles fair brings together more than 160 independent artists, including creators based in Los Angeles and artists from other parts of the world.
The official artist list includes painters, photographers, sculptors, mixed-media artists and other contemporary creators. Visitors can browse the participating artists ahead of the event through the fair’s online artist directory.
That mix gives the event a distinctly discovery-driven feel. Instead of arriving with a short list of famous names, visitors can spend the weekend finding artists they may not have encountered before.
Immersive Experiences Add a New Layer
Art is not the only attraction at this year’s fair.
The event program includes immersive installations, performances, workshops and DJs, giving visitors reasons to stay beyond a quick walk through exhibition booths.
One of the unusual highlights is an artist-designed playable mini golf course. Another featured project, known as “TP Catalog,” takes a satirical approach to the traditional museum catalog concept. Time Out lists both among the notable experiences planned for this year’s Los Angeles edition.
Affordable Art Is Part of the Appeal
The fair is also aimed at people who may not consider themselves serious art collectors.
Time Out reports that original pieces at the event can be found for under $500, giving visitors an opportunity to purchase work without entering the high-priced end of the art market.
The official fair site similarly promotes original artwork from independent artists and encourages visitors to meet creators and discover new work in person.
For first-time buyers, that can make the experience feel less intimidating than walking into a traditional high-end gallery.
When and Where to Visit
The Other Art Fair will be held at Barker Hangar, located at 3021 Airport Ave. in Santa Monica.
Opening night is Thursday, September 24, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. General admission hours are Friday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
On-site parking is available for $20 per vehicle, according to the event’s visitor information.
The Fair Brings Art Outside the Traditional Gallery Scene
The Other Art Fair’s Los Angeles return comes at a busy time for the city’s art scene, with major exhibitions and new cultural spaces drawing attention across the region.
What sets this event apart is its emphasis on independent creators and direct interaction. Visitors can see original work, meet artists, take part in interactive experiences and potentially leave with a piece for their own home.
With the fair running through September 27, Santa Monica’s Barker Hangar is set to become a temporary meeting point for artists, collectors and curious Angelenos looking for something beyond the usual museum visit.