La Luz de Jesus Gallery

Been coming to this gallery and Wacko ever since their Melrose days. Easily in my Top 5 favorite galleries in Los Angeles. Also a blast checking out the books & gag gifts up front, check it out!

Cool free art exhibition room
*street parking
*would go again

For what it is, La Luz de Jesus is great. But essentially what it is is two small rooms and a corridor at the back of a trinket and curios shop. It’s a bit of a stretch to call it a gallery. My advice is stick your head in if you’re in the area but, unless there’s an artist featured that you’re particularly fond of, it’s not worth going out of your way for.

mind expanding & eye popping pieces that run the gamut from fantasy to functionality. wowsers! A must! the art openings are the jam, especially if The Hangmen are cutting a rug! A must.

I hit the jackpot! This place is an art lover’s haven. It’s inside Wacko’s Soap Plant which is a fascinating in itself. You’ll probably get lost for an hour before making it to the gallery.
I checked out both «Viscera» and «Wonder Pop» on Friday and it was my first time here. I’ve been to many artist receptions and I’ve never seen art sell so fast. Even I was thrilled every time a painting was bestowed with a red sticker. There were many art dealers, yet no pretentious crowd. The room came to life with all its visitors. The location probably has a lot to do with the awesome crowd.
I was so taken back by it all I almost forgot to head out to the gated parking lot/​patio for snacks and spicy margaritas. Don’t forget to support local artists and gems like La Luz/Wacko’s by making a thoughtful donation in the tip jar.
If you sign up for their e-​mail list, you too can know about awesome events every month just like me ;)

Inside Wacko Soap Plant. I’d say they have about 1,000 square feet of gallery space. It’s just enough to show 2 shows are once or maybe one big show. Regardless! It looks much better than what it was a few years back!

Congratulations! You have hit pay dirt finding this place (or investigating it here). This is the Willy Wonka of the art world… a delicious mix of the bizarre, sublime, and decadent in all that is low brow. I would rate this the one destination as a ‘must see’ for everyone living or visiting Los Angeles. This place has the power to change the most skeptical low brow ‘non fans.’ The gallery is sooo good that I took a business box in the area to always make sure to drop in monthly (flashing testamonial). I have to get my ‘fix.’ by checking out the current and ever changing shows. I have never been disappointed. Keep in mind that you can always peruse the store if you are not into the current artist (s) and the area is always ‘kickin’ with things to do, places to go, and things to eat. Billy Shire (the gallery owner) is a visionary and has been called the ‘father of low brow’ for a reason. The incredible mix of artists both in sculpture and painting mediums continues to amaze me (and will do the same for you… keep the faith). Additionally, the gallery has an adjoining store with tons of kitsch and very interesting plethora of assorted books on virtually every topical and niche category of culture, pop culture, and beyond. Lots of books you find here are nowhere else in Los Angeles or surrounding area (trust me, I am a book snob). I know whenever I decide to move out of LA, this will be the place I miss the most (and that is really saying something! Los Angeles has a lot of gems and this is its shining jewel in the world of Low Brow art and interesting books.
NOTE: The group shows are the best bang for your time (if you are not in the area and wondering which show (s) to catch). Keep a look out for: Everything but the Kitchen Sync and the Coaster Shows. They are must see events!

Where should I begin?
I discovered this magical place when I was attending the Los Feliz Art Walk years ago. It is such an intriguing place because the gallery is embedded within a unique novelty/​book store. I wouldn’t have imagined such a combo but it works!
The gallery is located all the way at the back right corner of the store. Anyone that happens to just pass by and check out the store without the knowledge of the art gallery will surely stumble upon it! It is a great size and showcases a wide variety of art work from different artists.
There are two rooms. The first room is slightly smaller but has this dope hallway that showcases artwork from previous artists that have had installations within the art gallery. I don’t visit Luz de Jesus as often as I would love to but I know that I may see artwork that I missed hung up within this hallway.
Installation openings can be very crowded! It is no different from any other galleries or museums but the size perhaps. Visiting during the weekdays or early weekends is the best time to enjoy the current exhibit.
Since the gallery isn’t very large, checkout WACKO right after or Los Feliz! There are great shops and cafes to read a book or catch up with a friend!
P. S. Griffith Park or the Hollywood Trail isn’t too far either!

Saw a Ramones exhibition here. The gallery is part of the Wacko Soap Plant which is an experience in itself. It’s a quaint little gallery which seems to show quite a few exciting and eclectic art.

Love love worship worship. Every time I visit LA I visit this gallery and gift shop. Talk about fun! I find great gifts for friends every time… and I love the art that you all select to show! :)

This is a GREAT gallery that features the works of emerging artists. The work that is shown here is always cutting edge and a feast to the eyes.
I imagine that a large percentage of the people that discover this gallery find out about by going to Wacko. That’s fine. As long as you get inside!
Highly recommended!

Located inside the Wacko Soap Plant, 2 rooms and a hallway of local artists work.
Unique, but very current and funky art, I loved the details and colors, very creative.
Prices are pretty high, but they are one of a kind pieces that will stand out in your home and give others something to talk about for sure.
Stop by and have a look, support local artists!

We only get one life.
You gotta make the most of it,
we only have one.
You (talking to myself, actually it is I)
don’t need to live someones else’s.
It’d be nice to share
it, to share a life, to share their’s.
But in the end
it is mine and I need to own it.
Their life might be more glamorous, exciting, amorous, and full of monetary richness.
But that is not mine.
Sure, I like to share what I have with friends, a family, a significant other…
But if I can’t?
I need to live it, live mine, live mine and accept it.
Enjoy it.
And that is what I am doing.
Making what I have the best for me.
Thanks to La Luz de Jesus and the taxidermy exhibition (using roadkill, so no animals were killed) and to Mark Ryden and the Kohn Gallery for adding to my life.
Art is essential,
at least in my life.
It adds to it.
Hopefully you will find what adds to yours.

This review is strictly for the gallery; I’ll write a different one for WACKO later.
Great little space that’s divided up into three sections: two dedicated rooms for two artists (this month it was Chris Immer and Voudou) and one «hallway» featuring an assortment of wonderful artwork by various artists, including Baseman. All of the art in the hallway is hung in a salon style fashion.
What I really appreciate about this gallery is that it’s a smaller space that’s dedicated to displaying the artists’ best work and it’s not at all overwhelming. The gallery owners make great use of the lighting, allowing us to appreciate the art from various angles — front and from the sides.
I also came to realize that the acoustics in that gallery were amazing… next time I need to use my indoor voice!
Looking forward to visiting again, and maybe this time it’ll be for an opening!

Be prepared to stay awhile.
The gallery and the huge store attached will give you plenty of time away from the big bad world to browse through a wonderland of amazing artwork, curiosities, jewelry, clothing, accessories, collectibles, toys, deelie-​bobs, and books.
Perfect place to Christmas shop — you’re sure to find something for everyone on your list!

This gallery always has the most amazing art. Or maybe they just know my taste and always has things I like. ha ha. No seriously, I’m always impressed with the art they have here. It may be small, but always has really wonderful things. My friend and I just went to a reception for DisHollywood and it was super cool. I loved the main display there as well as the other pieces. Plus they were showing my one of my fave artists Harold Fox so you can’t go wrong. Street parking is sometimes tricky but if you don’t mind walking a bit you should be able to find some! Great place to see art.

One of the best spots that LA has to offer in my opinion!
LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! (And thank you)

Definitely a place to see! Two things I love about this place.
1. They constantly have new artists exhibiting.
2. Nontraditional art that you can actually buy!
If you’re into the pop surrealism movement this place is for you!

I have to say I wasn’t expecting much walking in. The surrounding neighborhood and building made me question whether I should walk in but boy am I glad I did!
I’m not too sure how to describe this place but it was very interesting. The store part or the «Wacko Soap Plant», has literally every random thing imaginable! Gothic type skulls and gun candle holders to japanese dolls and cute little animals, hello kitty things, tattoo books, erotica, animal furs, figurines etc. It was pretty massive and if you have some time to kill definitely recommend coming here to look around.
The gallery portion is worth seeing. I’ve been to galleries where I’ve questioned the «art» like pencil drawn pictures with eraser markings on a lined piece of paper. This place had verry interesting pieces. I forget the names of the artists who were featured but a definite stand out were the monster cakes! I’ve never seen anything like it in my life. A little terrifying yet intriguing. I’m not sure how long that artist will be featured but if you have a chance to go, go!
I’d say the scene of the people and items being sold were a little hipster-​esque. Don’t be turned down by the appearance, go and explore :)

In the Hollywood/​Los Feliz area and need to kill a significant chunk of time? Just head over to this spot and feast your eyes. I recently discovered the gallery because a friend of a friend was showing his amazing comic book/​80s toy themed oil paintings in one of the spaces. I have to say I didn’t love the other installation, but I did enjoy the idea of this unique gallery tucked in the back of the most intense trinket store you’ve ever seen.
In the store part you’ll find everything from wacky home goods to Japanese collectibles to puzzles to books… seriously, it’s like they’ve never removed anything from their stock and have just been accumulating new stuff for 10 years. It takes forever to go through all of the shelves but it’s a great place to find interesting gifts or presents for yourself. I left with a cute drain stopper, Kid Robot keychain and Beatles puzzle… not too shabby for one store!
They’re very anal about checking your bag and offering to keep your stuff at the counter for understandable reasons… there are so many tiny, easily stealable items in there that I’m sure they have to be diligent!
Definitely a fun way to kill some time… and you’ll most likely leave with an item you never knew you needed!