Find Art - Be Inspired At These Galleries Around The Peninsula By Writer and Contributor Emily McGinn
There are plenty of creative people producing art around the South Bay and lots of opportunities to enjoy it — as long as you know where to look. From larger organizations to hidden gems, art exhibits are popping up often to inspire and show off the latest trends in the area.
Many Palos Verdes locals know about Palos Verdes Art Center, where community members can find art on display and even enroll in art classes. The Art Center hosts exhibitions throughout the year — most recently, their Summer Show has been on display, including a variety of pieces from seven artist groups. The Artists’ Studio of Palos Verdes is affiliated with the Palos Verdes Art Center and displays art in both an online gallery and at the TAS Gallery located at the Palos Verdes Art Center. The gallery features various media, including paintings, jewelry, clothing, sculptures, pottery and photography. The Artists’ Studio hosts events like the upcoming Tour d’Arte, which invites community members to visit artists’ studios, interact with local artists and purchase art.
The Upstairs Gallery at the Norris Theatre is another spot on the Peninsula to explore local artists’ work. Individual showings are available for people to look at during Box Office hours and at performances.
The Beach Cities have their own share of art galleries to discover. The Vault Fine Art Gallery in Redondo Beach (at 1212 S. Pacific Coast Highway) offers unique displays. The Vault also has an outpost in Downtown LA (at 205 W. 7th St.). The Gallery of Hermosa, founded by artist Kimie Joe, is another spot that has regular exhibits with contemporary art to enjoy. It recently featured the “Five Muses” exhibit (read more about one of the featured artists, Debbie Giese, here).
Manhattan Beach offers its own showcase of local talent at the Manhattan Beach Art Center, which is currently exhibiting its 2025 Annual Community Exhibition featuring the work of 109 Manhattan Beach artists. Other Manhattan Beach galleries include Pacific Coast Gallery, which focuses on photography and unique home decor; Riley Arts Gallery, which receives new fine art pieces, paintings and photographs often from its artists; and Walstory, where people can find a variety of 2D, 3D and new media art from national and international artists.
In Torrance, those interested in contemporary art should explore the VEFA Gallery, whose goal is “to bring together artists from as wide a range of perspectives as possible around a topic that is relevant today.” El Camino College Art Gallery also features pieces from artists across the South Bay and looks to encourage the “discussion of art and the issues that move and shape us as individuals.” Most recently, it held its Summer Open Call for art from across the community.
Destination: Art is another artistic gem in Torrance, featuring a gallery as well as artist studios that local artists rent out to work and display their art (read more about them here).
The Experimentally Structured Museum of Art in Lawndale functions as an art museum and gallery, featuring “experiences” that showcase different issues and topics. Current experiences include “GROW,” which focuses on the continual process of growth throughout life, and “ROOTED,” which pays homage to the museum and its community itself. Torrance Art Museum also features rotating gallery exhibits for the community to learn from and enjoy.
Art lovers will also want to mark their calendars for the annual El Segundo Art Walk happening later this month on Aug. 23. This art-and-music-centered event offers locals a taste of what Los Angeles-based artists are producing right now.
Bio:
Emily McGinn is a journalist based in the Los Angeles area. She enjoys reporting on and writing about a variety of topics from lifestyle to news, especially in her areas of specialty, environmental science and political science.