Best L.A. and Orange County museum exhibitions in July

A painting from the 1300s of a hand placing a gold crown on a woman in a blue robe

By Matt CooperListings Coordinator

Published July 1, 2021 Updated July 24, 2021 9 AM PT

A survey of Chicana muralist Judy Baca’s career, a selection of quilt-based works by Sanford Biggers and the Getty’s “must-see” exhibit of devotional images by 14th century painter Paolo Veneziano lead our July list of exhibitions across Southern California. And if you haven’t already, get out and see the installation “Ai Weiwei: Trace” at the Skirball and/or the biennial “Made in L.A. 2020: a version” at the Hammer and the Huntington before they close Aug. 1.

Check back here for weekly updates. And before you go, remember to call or check online for reservation requirements and other COVID-19 protocols.

The shows that have our attention:

New and upcoming

“Evidence: Selections from the Permanent Collection”
This survey of the Museum of Contemporary Art’s holdings, which includes the drawing “Digesting Scroll — Feb, March, April” created by L.A.-based artist Carmen Argote during the pandemic, is on view through Feb. 21. Also on view: “Jennifer Packer: Every Shut Eye Ain’t Sleep,” new and recent paintings by the New York artist (through Feb. 21). 250 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. Open Thursdays-Sundays. Free; special exhibitions, $10, $18. (213) 626-6222. moca.org

“The Gift of Los Angeles: Memories in Watercolor by Gayle Garner Roski”
This new exhibit celebrating the life of the late L.A.-based painter will be on view through Nov. 14 at the Bowers Museum, 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana. Closed Mondays. $10-$15; children younger than 12, free; advance purchase recommended. (714) 567-3600. bowers.org

“Legacies of Exchange: Chinese Contemporary Art from the Yuz Foundation”
Works by Ai Weiwei, Huang Yong Ping and others are presented in partnership with the Yuz Museum in Shanghai are on view through March 13. Also on view: “Cauleen Smith: Give It or Leave It,” multimedia works by the L.A.-based artist (through Oct. 31); “Not I: Throwing Voices (1500 BCE–2020 CE),” exploring ventriloquism in art (through July 25); “Vera Lutter: Museum in the Camera,” images of the LACMA campus (through Sept. 12). Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. Closed Wednesdays. $10-$25; kids 12 and younger are free; discounts available to L.A. County residents. (323) 857-6010. lacma.org

“Cauleen Smith: Stars in My Pocket and the Rent Is Due”
LACMA also presents this companion exhibition of pandemic-themed works by the L.A.-based artist, on view through Sept. 25. Charles White Elementary School, 2401 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. Open only Saturdays 1-4 p.m. Free. lacma.org

“Pole Position: The Juan Gonzalez Formula 1 Collection”
Installation includes examples of F1 race cars from across three decades, surrounded by a 180-degree immersive video; on view through June 5. Also on view: “ADV: Overland,” adventure motorcycles and other off-road vehicles from the early 1900s to the present are on view at the Petersen Automotive Museum, 6060 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. Open Wednesdays-Sundays. $11-$16; children younger than 4 are free; advance purchase required. (323) 930-2277. petersen.org

“Paolo Veneziano: Art and Devotion in 14th-Century Venice”
Works by the medieval painter regarded as the founder of the Venetian school are on view through Oct. 3. Also on view: “In Focus: Protest,” photographs by Dorothea Lange, Robert Mapplethorpe and others taken in response to social upheaval in America (through Oct. 10). Getty Center, Sepulveda Blvd. and Getty Center Drive, L.A. Closed Mondays. Free; advance timed-entry tickets required. (310) 440-7300. getty.edu

“Sanford Biggers: Codeswitch”
Quilt-based works by the New York artist explore African American history and traditions. They’re on view July 28 through Jan. 23. Also on view: “Enunciated Life,” contemporary works exploring Black spirituality (through Aug. 15). California African American Museum, 600 State Drive, Exposition Park, L.A. Closed Mondays. Free. (213) 744-7432. caamuseum.org

“Judy Baca: Memorias de Nuestra Tierra, a Retrospective”
This survey of works by the acclaimed Chicana muralist, educator and activist will be on view to the public through January. Museum of Latin American Art, 628 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach. Open Tuesdays-Fridays. $7, $10; younger than 12, free; advance purchase suggested. molaa.org

“Divine Immersion: The Experiential Art of Nick Dong”
Modern technology and ancient Buddhist traditions inspired this exhibit of five experiential sculptures, on view through Oct. 3 at USC Pacific Asia Museum, 46 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena. Open Wednesdays-Sundays. $7, $10; free for ages 17 and younger, and every second Sunday of the month; advance tickets recommended. (626) 787-2680. pacificasiamuseum.usc.edu

“The Map and the Territory: 100 Years of Collecting at UCLA”
UCLA’s Fowler and Hammer museums and the UCLA Library co-organized this survey of paintings, drawings, prints, rare books, ceramics, musical instruments and more, on view through Oct. 24. Fowler Museum, 308 Charles E. Young Drive North, Westwood. Open Wednesdays-Sundays. Free. (310) 825-4361. fowler.ucla.edu

“Veil Craft”
This architectural installation made from construction textiles will be on view through Sept. 12. Craft Contemporary, 5814 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. Open Thursdays-Sundays. $7, $9; Sundays are pay what you can; reservations required. craftcontemporary.org

“50 Faces”
Contemporary mosaic artwork from Italy’s Scuola Mosaicisti del Friuli will be on view from July 15 through Oct. 7 at the Muckenthaler Cultural Center, 1201 W. Malvern Ave., Fullerton. Open Monday-Thursday. $5 per group of up to four people. themuck.org

“The Anthropocene Epiphany: Art and Climate Change”
This multimedia exhibition examining the climate crisis will be on view through Aug. 21 at the Orange County Center for Contemporary Art, 117 N. Sycamore St., Santa Ana. Open Fridays-Saturdays; open other days by appointment. Free. occca.org

“Art in the Time of COVID-19”
Co-presented by ESMoA and the El Segundo Public Library, this juried show featuring works created by local artists during the coronavirus shutdown will be on view beginning July 15. El Segundo Public Library, Reading Room, 111 W. Mariposa Ave., El Segundo. Closed Sundays. Free. library.elsegundo.org

“Alison Saar: Of Aether and Earthe”
This super-sized survey of the acclaimed artist is spread over two venues. The first part is on view now through Dec. 19 at the Benton Museum of Art at Pomona College, 120 W. Bonita Ave., Claremont; open Tuesdays-Saturdays; free; reservations required; pomona.edu. The other half of the exhibition is on view from July 16 through Dec. 12 at the Armory Center for the Arts, 145 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena; open by appointment only Friday-Sunday; free; armoryarts.org

“Life Beginnings”
This new immersive and interactive exhibit explores procreation in the human and animal worlds. Also on view: “The Art of the Brick,” artworks made from Legos; “All in This Together,” the science behind COVID-19 and its effect on communities; “Dogs! A Science Tail”; “Mission 26: The Big Endeavour,” on the relocation of the space shuttle to Southern California. California Science Center, 700 Exposition Park Drive, L.A. Open daily. Permanent exhibits are free; special exhibits (including the current Lego art show and IMAX films vary in price. Reservations required. (323) 724-3623. californiasciencecenter.org

“Portraits of Freedom: Building a Life in L.A.”
This monthlong outdoor art installation in DTLA explores the richness and diversity found in our fair city through photography and video exhibitions plus a nighttime projection on view through July 31. Grand Park, 200 N. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. Free. grandparkla.org

“Queer Communion: Ron Athey”
The long career of the influential L.A. performance artist and activist is explored through videos, photographs, props, costumes and ephemera, on view through Sept. 5. Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, 1717 E. 7th St., L.A. Open Wednesdays-Sundays. Free. (213) 928-0833. theicala.org

A 1940s photo shows a uniformed Japanese American soldier posed with his mother, father and brother.

“A Life in Pieces: The Diary and Letters of Stanley Hayami”
This exhibition honors the young man who, despite being unjustly incarcerated by the U.S. government during World War II, went on to serve in a highly decorated U.S. Army unit composed of Japanese American soldiers; on view through Jan. 9. Japanese American National Museum, 100 N. Central Ave., downtown L.A. Open Tuesdays-Sundays. $7, $16; advance timed-entry tickets required. (213) 625-0414. janm.org

“Tristan Eaton: All At Once: 25 Years of Art & Design”
New exhibit surveys the career of the L.A. painter, muralist, illustrator and designer through Oct. 31. Long Beach Museum of Art, 2300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach. Open Thursdays-Sundays. Free; advance timed-entry tickets required. lbma.org

“Andy Warhol: Photo Factory”
A career-spanning survey of the influential Pop artist’s photographic output is on view through July 30. NeueHouse Hollywood, 6121 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. Open Wednesdays-Sundays. $21; advance purchase required. neuehouse.com

“Matthew Rolston, Art People: The Pageant Portraits”
The photographer presents his 2016 series of large-scale, high-resolution images inspired by the tableaux vivant presentations at Laguna Beach’s annual Pageant of the Masters; on view through Sept. 19. Also on view: “Hymns to the Silence,” black-and-white images of architectural structures by Jacques Garnier (through Oct. 24); “Wayne Thiebaud: Clowns,” paintings, drawings and etchings (through Oct. 24). Laguna Art Museum, 307 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach. Closed Wednesdays. $5, $7; 17 and younger are free. (949) 494-8971. lagunaartmuseum.org

Ongoing

“The Artists of Mettlach”
Works from the storied ceramics factory in Germany will be on view through July. Also on view “Don Reitz: Life Is Not a Dress Rehearsal,” works by the influential American ceramicist (through Feb. 20); “Amy Santoferraro: Two on a Lot, Three on the Tree, site-specific installation (through Aug. 22).” American Museum of Ceramic Art, 399 N. Garey Ave., Pomona. Open Wednesdays-Sundays. $5, $7; 12 and younger, free. (909) 865-3146. amoca.org

“Jonathan Michael Castillo: Car Culture”
Candid photographs examine Angelenos’ relationships with their automobiles. Also on view: “The Memory Project,” installation features the written and recorded personal reflections of visitors to the museum (through August); “Defining Beauty,” international juried exhibition. California Museum of Art Thousand Oaks at the Oaks, 350 W. Hillcrest Drive. Open Friday-Sunday. Free. (805) 405-5240. cmato.org

“When I Remember I See Red: American Indian Art and Activism in California”
On view through Nov. 14. Also on view: “What’s Her Story: Women in the Archives” (through Aug. 28). Autry Museum of the American West, 4700 Western Heritage Way, Griffith Park, L.A. Closed Mondays. $6-$14; children younger than 3 are free; reservations available online; walk-ups allowed at box office. (323) 667-2000. theautry.org

“Invisible Sun”
Works by Julie Mehretu, Keith Haring and others from the Broad’s collection explore social justice; on view through Oct. 3. The Broad, 221 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. Open Wednesday-Sunday. Free; advance timed-entry tickets required; no on-site standby line. (213) 232-6200. thebroad.org

“Cudra Clover: Hysteria”
Biologically inspired silk paintings; on view through Sept. 5. Also on view: “David Koeth: Citrus Series,” sculptures and assemblages made from orange peels and other substances; “Shelley Heffler: We Are Home,” community quilt project; “NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center 75th Anniversary,” history of facility at Edwards Air Force Base (through Sept. 5). Museum of Art & History, 665 W. Lancaster Blvd., Lancaster. Closed Mondays. Free; reservations required. (661) 723-6250. lancastermoah.org

“Free State”
Exploration of human rights, democracy, the environment; on view through Sept. 18. ESMoA (El Segundo Museum of Art), 208 Main St., El Segundo. Open Fridays and Saturdays. Free; advance timed-entry tickets required. (424) 277-1020. esmoa.org

“Mesopotamia: Civilization Begins”
Statuary, pottery, wall paintings and other antiquities from the Louvre; on view through Aug. 16. Also on view: “Assyria: Palace Art of Ancient Iraq” (through Sept. 5). Getty Villa, 17985 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades. Closed Tuesdays. Free; advance tickets required. (310) 440-7300. getty.edu | TIMES REVIEW

“Motown: The Sound of Young America”
The storied record label is celebrated through stage costumes, musical instruments and more; on view though January. Grammy Museum, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., L.A. Open Friday-Sunday. $13, $15; ages 5 and under are free; advance timed-entry tickets required. (213) 765-6800. grammymuseum.org

“Made in L.A. 2020: a version”
The Hammer Museum’s pandemic-delayed fifth biennial is presented this year with the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens; on view through Aug. 1. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. Closed Mondays. Free; reservations required. (310) 443-7000. hammer.ucla.edu. Also at the Huntington, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. Closed Tuesdays. $13-$29; children younger than 4, free; advance purchase required. (626) 405-2100. huntington.org | TIMES FEATURE | REVIEW

“Reconnecting: A Vision of Unity by Kengo Kito”
The contemporary Japanese artist explores unity, diversity and interconnectedness in this site-specific installation that uses more than 2,000 brightly colored hula hoops. It’s on view through Sept. 6 at Japan House Los Angeles, Hollywood & Highland, Level 2 Gallery, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. Open daily. Free. japanhousela.com

“Carlos Almaraz: Evolution of Form”
Times columnist Carolina A. Miranda called the work of this late painter, subject of a 2017 LACMA retrospective, “vital to the ways in which Los Angeles sees itself.” This exhibition explores the Chicano artist’s early life to reveal influences on his style and form (through Jan. 9). Also on view: “Only Light Can Do That,” Patrick Martinez’s neon mural installation with messages of inspiration for essential workers (through Sept. 7). LA Plaza de Cultural y Artes, 501 N. Main St., downtown L.A. Thursday-Sundays. Free; reservations suggested. (213) 542-6200. lapca.org

“The Swineherd”
This 1888 painting by Paul Gauguin on loan from LACMA is exhibited with related post-Impressionist works in the museum’s 19th century art gallery; on view through Nov. 18. Also on view: “Beyond the World We Know: Abstraction in Photography” (through Aug. 12). Norton Simon Museum, 411 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. Closed Tuesday-Wednesday. $12, $15; students, active military and ages 18 and younger are free. (626) 449-6840. nortonsimon.org

“Ai Weiwei: Trace”
This installation created by the Chinese artist features portraits, crafted from Lego bricks, of dissidents, prisoners of conscience and free-speech advocates; on view through Aug. 1. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A. Open Tuesday-Sunday. $7-$12; kids under 2 are free; advance timed-entry tickets required. Partial reopening does not include the Noah’s Ark children’s area. skirball.org

“Analogues: Travon Free”
Photographs by the comedian and Oscar-winning filmmaker capture last summer’s street demonstrations in L.A. in response to the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis; on view through Jan. 16. Also on view: “Facing Fire: Art, Wildfire, and the End of Nature in the New West” (through Aug. 15). UCR Arts (California Museum of Photography, Culver Center of the Arts), 3824 Main St., Riverside. Open Thursdays-Sundays. Free; advance timed-entry tickets required. ucrarts.ucr.edu

“See Thy Neighbor: Stern Photographers Thomas Hoepker and Harald Schmitt in the GDR”
Two photographers with very different points of view on East German life in the 1970s and ’80s; through Oct. 24. Also on view: “Common Fantasy” (through Sept. 2). Wende Museum, 10808 Culver Blvd., Culver City. Open Friday-Sunday. Free; advance reservations required. (310) 216-1600. wendemuseum.org

The newest, coolest L.A. and O.C. museum shows you can see in July

New and upcoming

Ongoing

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