Los Angeles Art Scene Thrives with Diverse Summer Exhibitions

Los Angeles is set to host a series of compelling art exhibitions this June, reflecting the city's dynamic cultural landscape and commitment to diverse artistic expressions.

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) will preview its new David Geffen Galleries with performances by renowned composer and saxophonist Kamasi Washington on June 26, 27, and 28. Washington will lead an ensemble of over 100 musicians in a live rendition of his six-movement suite, "Harmony of Difference," marking the first time the piece is performed in its entirety. The musicians will be strategically positioned throughout the 110,000 square feet of gallery space, transforming the building into an integral part of the acoustic experience. This event serves as the inaugural public programming in the Geffen Galleries, designed by Pritzker Prize–winning architect Peter Zumthor, ahead of its grand opening in April 2026. (lacma.org)

From June 8 to August 31, the Hammer Museum is presenting a retrospective of the late artist Noah Davis. The exhibition features over 50 works, including paintings and sculptures, highlighting Davis's contributions to art and community-building. Davis, who passed away in 2015, was known for his evocative figurative paintings and for founding The Underground Museum in Los Angeles, a space dedicated to bringing museum-quality art to underserved communities. (en.wikipedia.org)

The Broad is hosting "the space in which to place me," an exhibition by Choctaw/Cherokee artist Jeffrey Gibson, running through September 28. Gibson's vibrant works blend Indigenous art traditions with geometric abstraction and narratives of oppression and resistance. The exhibition includes painted and beaded wall works, sculptures featuring excerpts from legal texts, quotes, and song lyrics, as well as the video "She Never Dances Alone" (2019), showcasing traditional jingle dancing set to a soundtrack by First Nations musical group the Halluci Nation. (hyperallergic.com)

From June 29 to October 5, Hauser & Wirth is presenting "Yo Soy," an exhibition focusing on Venezuelan-born, Los Angeles-based artist Luchita Hurtado's self-portraits from the 1970s. These works reflect her engagement with the L.A. women's movement and feature bright, sweeping strokes and canvases cut apart and sewn together in new ways, questioning the abstraction of phrases such as "I am." (hyperallergic.com)

The Academy Museum is showcasing "Color in Motion: Chromatic Explorations of Cinema" until July 13. The exhibition features nearly 150 objects, including pieces of technology, costumes, props, and film posters from the 1890s to today. It explores the connection between color, music, and movement in film, with themes such as early dance and animated shorts, color technologies, monochrome silent films, the narrative role of color, and experimental works. The final gallery, dubbed the Color Arcade, includes an interactive, neon-hued space inspired by the stargate from "2001: A Space Odyssey." (timeout.com)

In anticipation of the 2028 Olympics, Downtown Los Angeles is transforming into a public art museum with murals emphasizing sustainability, education, and women's empowerment. This initiative aims to enhance the urban landscape and promote social themes through art. (wallpaper.com)

These exhibitions collectively highlight Los Angeles's commitment to showcasing diverse artistic voices and themes, enriching the city's cultural landscape. The focus on artists like Noah Davis, Jeffrey Gibson, and Luchita Hurtado underscores the city's dedication to promoting underrepresented narratives and exploring issues of identity, resistance, and empowerment. The transformation of Downtown Los Angeles with murals ahead of the 2028 Olympics reflects a broader societal effort to integrate art into public spaces, fostering community engagement and dialogue on critical social issues.

Los Angeles's art scene in June 2025 offers a rich tapestry of exhibitions that not only celebrate artistic excellence but also engage with pressing social themes, reflecting the city's dynamic and inclusive cultural identity.