5 Places in L.A. to Buy Art to Give as a Gift, Without Breaking the Bank

Phil Chang, Scan of Kodabrome & Photograph of Laser Prints, 2011; courtesy of the artist and Pepin Moore, Los Angeles

Holiday art doesn't have to be snowy.

​Art. The greatest gift of all. Forget those cheese 'n sausage gift baskets, and get your loved ones something that won't rot their guts, like limited edition prints.

And besides, art is good for you. I'm sure some scientist somewhere is even now discovering the health benefits of a daily dose of it. Check out these upcoming art fairs, shows and auctions to get some quality work for your loved ones (including yourself) this holiday season.

Devon Tsuno's Blue Palm; courtesy of the artist and ArtZone 2011

​5. ArtZone 2011
Over 15 local artists working in various media, all offering original work at $1000 or less. If you've got the wherewithal, well worth the investment. Offramp Gallery through Dec. 11 with a closing reception from 2-5 p.m., 1702 Lincoln Avenue, Pasadena, (626) 298-6931, offrampgallery.com/art_zone_2011.html

Josie Portillo; courtesy of the artist and The Hive Gallery

​4. The Hive's Annual "Price...Less"
The Hive's annual "Price...Less" show offers works from over 60 local artists for sale at $250 or less. Repeat: Works from over 60 local artists for sale at $250 or less. You heard me. Through Dec. 31 at 729 South Spring Street, (213) 955-9051, hivegallery.com

Exhibition Poster for Tony Shafrazi Gallery 1985; courtesy Santa Monica Auctions

​3. The Popular Art Auction 2011
Boasting "liquidation of original art, commerical art, Illustration, rare fine art posters, pinup and bulk graphics." Yeah, yeah, let's be specific: how 'bout that poster of Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Dare I say bargain? At anything less than $1000, hell yeah. This, and similar works for sale -- sure to light up the face of your favorite people.
The auction will take place Sunday, Dec. 11 at 1 p.m. and will continue all afternoon, Writers Boot Camp at Bergamot Station Building I, 2525 Michigan Avenue, Santa Monica, (310) 315-1937, smauctions.com

Phil Chang's Five Sheets of Thin Paper, 2011; courtesy of the artist and Pepin Moore, Los Angeles

​2. New editions at Second Story
Brand-spankin' new works from Skip Arnold, Phil Chang, Liz Glynn, Emilie Halpern, Jed Lind and Amir Nikravan at Pepin Moore's Second Story. Many works also on sale at LA Print edition 2 at LACMA, but Chinatown is way more fun. New editions at Second Story, starting Dec. 10, Pepin Moore Gallery, 933 Chung King Road, (213) 626-0501, pepinmoore.com/Pepin_Moore/Second_Story.html

Mark Mulroney

​1. "Spread The Word" benefitting 826LA
Tickets are $25, but that gets you in for some complimentary beer, live dj sets, and food trucks (hey, what's an L.A. party without one?). Bid on art by 80+ artists, AND support 826LA's awesome after school program. Isn't that what the holidays are about, aside from gorging on cookies? Dec. 17, 7-10 p.m., Mark Moore Gallery, 5790 Washington Blvd, Culver City, (310) 453-3031, spreadthewordmmg.eventbrite.com

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