The Hive Gallery

We came in to support a friend’s exhibit in the Dollmination exhibit and were pleasantly surprised by what else they had on display as well. We were pleasantly surprised that there was no entry fee. I even offered a donation and he said, no thanks.
For a small storefront, there were a variety of amazing exhibits. They have exhibiting artists and in-​house artists. The coolest thing to me was that it’s also a working studio and there was an artist there that day working on some things.
Some of the artwork was an eye opener for my kids, but this sparked a lot of conversations! I should have taken a photo of the coffee table that looks like a coffin. No dinner party with that as the centerpiece would be lacking for conversation.
I look forward to dropping in the next time I’m downtown or attending an event sometime!

I loved this gallery. We were lucky enough to catch the exhibit from famous animators. Everything was like candy to the eye. The people running the gallery were so friendly and nonintrusive.
This will be a must check out every time we come to LA since their art rotates out every month.
Be careful about parking across the street. Between 4 and 6 PM they will tow your car. We came out at 4:04 PM and our car was towed. It cost $ 400 to get it out. There are no signs showing this so be careful.

Beautiful atmosphere, intelligent artwork, and open minded creative people, a true blessing

This is a great gallery, they show fantastic art, and have fabulous and fun openings they even have live bands, I started showing my artwork there in 2006, and I have shown there since, I highly recommend it :)

Beautiful gallery! The owner did a fantastic job for his 10^th anniversary show — he painted the entire ceiling to look like a temple and protected by guardians created by some very talented artists. Very chill atmosphere and good vibes all around.

Awesome gallery! Been here twice and they always have cool exhibits on. I could spend an hour just examining the art! Highly recommend. We came during the LA artwalk and it was crazy packed. If you are claustrophobic avoid this place during the artwalk. It seems like it may be a fire hazard too. Tight spaces, too many people…

Great work from far out artists. Bring a lot of cash money cause you’ll want to buy some nice shiz. Nuff said.

This is a fun gallery where many of the attendees are as interesting as the art. It’s fun, entertaining, and always makes for a great night. I’ve seen some provocative and unique artwork here.

Great show, but what the heck with no AC? If anyone in the place had an airborne disease, we all will contract it. No ventilation and not air on hot muggy days with hundreds of people? Bad news.

I’ve been here twice, and both times this place has been packed and a veritable hub of artists and art-​connoisseurs alike. The vibe can be hit or miss, so make sure you look into the art/​artists that will be showcased here during your visit. I happen to love urban art, and I got my fill, and then some on my Saturday-​night visit. We’re talking cutesy emo art from Super Emo Friends, to darker, somewhat disturbing art from Paz, to amazing urban-​themed art from Stephan Canthal, and so much more.
Personally, I feel there are better places to get your art fix that doesn’t involve having to check that your car is still where you left it, or having to pay 7+ dollars for private parking, such as the Downtown LA Arts District in Chinatown or Little Tokyo. However, if you happen to be in the area, or if one of your favorite artists is showcasing his/​her art here, I think it’s a decent way to spend a Friday or Saturday night.
They usually ask for a «donation» at the door, though, so bring cash. Because when I say «ask,» I mean they practically demand it.

I LOVED coming here. It’s a great spot for a quick art fix. It’s pretty small, and doesn’t take very long to get through all of the exhibits, which I honestly appreciated. If you just want to grab your date, take a quick peek, look at everything, have a beer, and then go someplace else, this is the perfect place. But if you want to spend all day perusing the great masterpieces of the centuries, then this is not the place for you. All the art is a little strange, and nothing I would actually buy and hang up in my home, but definitely worth looking at. The Hive is very original and unique, and should be experienced at least once!

One of my favorite art related spaces in LA.
I have bought several pieces here, and enjoyed tons more.
A treasure of the downtown art scene.

I used to be amused by you!
Long ago, when Art Walk had better quality art, as did you, you used to be my second place. Long before I found out about the superb galleries in the Chinatown Arts District I used to really like some of your artists — like the guy that does Hello Kittyesque cutesy and quirky versions of super heroes and other movie icons. There are a few other talented artists within your bowels. But honestly, for a long time now you have been in decline.
Now you like to display really lame grotesque zombiesque art. You have gone from Hello Kitty to Ren and Stimpy. I’m officially calling it off. It’s you, not me!

You know, I did feel kind of like a bee, dancing around this place from painting to sculpture to drawing to people.
This gallery instantly became one of my favorites during my LA Art Walk exploration. I came at a reasonable time with friends and it was not as crowded, which made it easy to get around. I think the rain had something to do with people coming out later.
Anyway, I really loved the set up for this gallery. I thought it was going to be super small but it kept going and going and going. Infinite corridor much? (Cue Twilight Zone intro) The art here was very eclectic, it ranged from paintings, to drawings, to photography, to sculpture, to just about everything.
I would say some was better than the others and one in particular really caught my eye:
. Not sure why, but I think it was the style, texture, content, and colors used that pulled me in. If I had the money, I would have totally purchased this, I really loved it. Unfortunately, I don’t recall the artist’s name. There were three paintings from this artist with similar style.
I also really liked this other artist, who had a number of big and small pieces:
. I found the content and style comical but enjoyable. I really like the line work and graphic elements. Again, very affordable prices.
Overall, the gallery had amazing artists and the cost of most of the pieces were very reasonable and affordable for the art-​lover. I can’t wait to come back again and see what else is new. I shall bring my check book next time!

I just visited this gallery for the first time last night for a party thrown by Leveled Magazine and Den. m Bar, and I absolutely loved the space! It was much bigger than you first might think, and felt kind of like wandering through a scene of Alice in Wonderland – tons of great artists and fashion, each with their own little walled up corner, lots of rooms. It’s not your typical white wall gallery, it has its own personality. I’m not sure if it was an installation (probably), but in the back room they had furry walls – FURRY WALLS! Like in Get Him to the Greek? Ok. nevermind…
I’ll definitely be back!

My Absolute Favorite Gallery in LA!

Great art gallery! I actually came here during the last artwalk and I had never noticed this place before. They are like a trade show of art galleries. There ware mini galleries within the main room. Each different from the other and with high quality art, which was very creative and mind challenging.
They have a stage in the second room along with a round sofa. We stayed and listened to the speaker rant some crazy nonsense which was entertaining.
As you move to the back, you will feel this building either narrows or becomes more crowded and extremely hot.
Check it out for the next artwalk. They also send out emails about their events and such.

One of the best and most interesting galleries in Downtown. They cultivate a lot of fairly unknown and local artists, but the caliber of talent and the variety of artists showcased makes this a must-​stop for me during Artwalk. Vibe is always positive and fun.
Another big plus — most of the artwork is for sale and at modest prices that can help get an average person turned on to collecting art.

This is my favorite gallery and is usually my final stop during the downtown la art walks. visual and auditory stimulation overload. okay… maybe that’s an exaggeration, but I love this place.
why?
small. giving a perception of intimacy… but a lot to see.
the performance thing going on in the middle. sometimes it’s spoken words, sometimes a band.
art in motion. as movement… as sound.
ah. failure of the signifier. no words to describe. just fucking check it out!

I love this artists’ collective. Reminds me of places like Christiania in Denmark… a feast for the senses. As you move through the exhibition zones of resident and visiting artists, you are met with eclectic bursts of modern «pop surreal» art in all mediums.
On any given weekend, you will find group shows and performances. Usually, there’s several types of performance art going on and a D.J. spinning beats in the back.
The space is like a bowling alley and therefore can get quite cramped as the evening progresses. Unfortunately, it makes it relatively difficult to squeeze in to see the stage performers in the front. It doesn’t bother me much… I like the communal vibe of the place.
We’ve bought a number of pieces there. Patrick Haemmerlein’s work is fun. I’ve also got my eyes on some of Yuki Miyazaki’s work.
Check out the Temple of Visions Gallery that just opened up just a few doors down.