Been coming here for years! Nothing sparks my creativity more than just walking through this spot browsing books, looking at quirky gifts and admiring artwork. This place is a gem and I hope it stays open forever. read more

La Luz de Jesus Gallery is located in the larger Wacko Soap Plant. It regularly shows the work of artists, with a lot of focus on mixed-media, assemblages and so forth. This gallery is very squarely middle-brow. I really don't like how snooty that sounds, but it's true. There is almost no non-representational art and most pieces feel like they were designed for a buyer's living space, rather than a thing unto itself. If that makes me sound insufferable, so be it. Now, honestly, I often find pieces that I enjoy. But, honestly, I'm rarely transported or challenged. I mostly feel like I'm looking at interesting decor. Which is FINE. I hope people buy the art of working artists. So, yes, definitely worth visiting, but know what you're gonna see. read more

La Luz de Jesus Gallery - Crâne Aux Oiseaux. - Art Galleries Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Absolutely love La Luz de Jesus! This is honestly one of my go to's for picking up gifts. I can always find a little something for everyone on my list. And they have the most unique array of items. Trust me when I say if you have a picky friend or family member on your list come here! You can thank me later. Staff is always friendly and helpful. Parking is easy on the street. read more

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dis GRACED place...I would give 0 star if it was possible...there is no art, only nonsense painted with a paintbrush

Made it on my last day of vacay in LAX. Heard great things about this little gallery and we decided to go check it out since they had a Surrealistic exhibition. Great selection of local and international artists. They also have a great souvenir and book store. I highly recommend if your are in the area and craving for something different and not ordinary. read more

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STEPH JUDGEMENT: Fun, cool gallery with a relaxed attitude. This gallery, located inside the venerable Wacko store, is itself an LA institution. I most recently went to check out the opening for Everything But The Kitchen Sink, a huge annual group art show featuring the work of dozens of artists. It was quite the scene that night, and the gallery was packed. I really enjoyed the fun, funky art, and taking a breather out on their back patio where I met and chatted with some of the participating artists. They had donation-based refreshments on the patio, which were reasonably priced. I also had fun wandering around the store, which has a great assortment of interesting items. Looking forward to my next visit! read more

Exciting place to inspire new ideas, find something quirky to read or for your home - and the BEST unique gifts!

La Luz de Jesus Gallery is a commercial art gallery located in Los Angeles, California. This tiny gallery, housed within the Wacko Plant Soap, has been exhibiting figurative, narrative paintings and unusual sculpture. For the past few years, they have exhibited different artist's work. Admission is free. Self-guided tour. Each art work cost as much as $2K to as low as $200. Overall, it's a nice little gallery with interesting and unique art. I recommend you visit. read more

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I can never remember the name of this gallery, but it's actually located inside the Wacko store, and it always shows some great art from local artists. The art is all for sale. So, of course when I'm visiting the Wacko store, I walk through the gallery and view the art. There's also artwork from former shows on the hallway walls (on the way to the restroom in the back). So if you're in the area, it's worth a visit. read more

La Luz de Jesus Gallery - Art Galleries Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Overall great place with beautifully inspiring art and cool things to buy from their shop. I let myself splurge and bought almost $100 worth of books and items for myself and a friend. However, I was very obviously being followed around in the store area as I shopped. Employees would come and seem to arrange the items I had just looked at, and I was approached and asked if I needed help about three times. Another employee said she needed to take the items I had in hand (the items I planned on buying so far) to keep at the front counter until I was done shopping. None of the other people in my group of five got the same treatment, and I was the only person in my group of a particular demographic... read more

amazing art opening with a far out fabulous festive freaking art curator and artwork with a full house of future forward personalities - way to go La Luz! read more

This review was for the Gallery only (you can see how I have dropped the score since my 2015 rating). The store is still great (FIVE STARS) and the book selection is still 'top notch, 'but ever since the exit of Matt Kennedy (head of the Gallery), the curation has been subpar at best (imo). I voiced my thoughts and some girl named Cat wrote me back an extra snarky rude note. This was my note (seen aforementioned). Employing a grown woman that would write back rude nonsense from ANY establishment is a great disservice to that business. Billy Shire should take note. read more

One of my favorite galleries in all of SoCal. The shows are always interesting and I find myself wanting to acquire pieces constantly, just because they are amazing. Local artists especially prominent. Love the variety, the modern pop, the social viewpoints, and the originality and diversity of both subjects and artists. Excellent gallery and love that you can peruse Wackos when you're there. read more

This is my all time favorite Art Gallery, I've been a fan of it since the early nineties, when I was in art school, classmates of mine told me about it, I haven't stopped going over there, and looking at their shows and also at their books, toys etc..which they also sell, they have the most interesting and unique artwork. And I've had the privilege to have exhibited there a few times. So if you're in the LA area stop by check it out, It will be worth your time trust me, this place is really something a lot of celebrities like to go there too read more

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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! read more

La Luz de Jesus Gallery - Art Galleries Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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! read more

Great little art gallery and gift shop between LA and Hollywood. If you're a fan of modern art then this is your place. The gallery fills five walls in the back and has works from many contemporary artists. Right across the street are some great restaurants and you're near the intersection of Hollywood and Sunset if you're seeing the area. One block to the west is the art park with some Frank Loyd Wright architecture if you want a pleasant walk. read more

Inside the Soap Plant store lies a modest gallery housing local artists and showcasing talent! They have their yearly show : the Coaster Show which I'm always phyched about! But the gallery goes by La Luz de Jesus Gallery: the Soap Plant is a store in itself! A great place to find interesting books and toys, as well as handmade soaps and fragrances you can make in the store! This space is super quirky and again, you have to enter the Soap Plant to get to the galleries. They are small but always have great artists lined up as well as focusing on LA and it's current at scene. I try to stop by when I find myself in the area. There are a few places of interest: Umami burger, a goodwillcenter, the trendy shops and restaurants on Vermont, the famous Dresden, a great modern diner Fred 62 (open late with a 'stoner menu!') , a small great tiki bar called Tiki Ti just to name a few! read more

One of the best places in all the universe to simply lose track of time for a few hours. If you're looking to be exposed to cool, weird, awesome, strange, mystic, wonderful artwork - check out the gallery. La Luz has defined the entire landscape of lowbrow art. It's an icon. Then, after the gallery, savor its super well curated aisles of books and then wander into other sections of oddities - bugs, pray candles, skeletons, ancient stock images books, wrapping paper, greeting cards, tin toys, and a thousand other things you'd never expect. It's the best place to find a gift for yourself when you're likely on a mission to discover the perfect present for someone else. read more

One of my favorites galleries to visit in LA! The first part of the building is an actual store where you can find something for anyone- from shirts to books to other nick knacks. Once you go through the store, you enter a small area where the gallery is located. Although small, this area is very open- ideal setup to see all the work presented. read more

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! read more

If you stop by Wacko, La Luz de Jesus art gallery is a must see. It's located inside the store, to the right. They showcase cool local artists and their original art. Different styles, you can buy something you like of it fits your budget. Free to visit. Some art pieces are pricey, but that's to be expected. Sure, the space could get a bit cramped, especially the tight hallway that leads to the restrooms, two people passing each other could turn into a stunt, but it's nice to have an alternative space that shows art, of any kind, all year around. read more

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 :) read more

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The gallery is located within a gift shop (?) so the collection is quite small. It's basically two little rooms with ~30 pieces of art work. Initially I was disappointed at the size but the quality of art works was great! AND ADMISSION IS FREE so what's there to complain about?You can get through the entire "gallery" within 30 min but there's plenty of other things you can look at in the gift shop. Parking is a pain but that's expected in LA. Most definite will go back! read more

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Ok you will not find this gallery easily even if you have the exact address and the finest GPS in the world, because it will take you to hipster, retro toy store called Wacko. The reason is the gallery is located in the back of the store past all of the aisles of crazy japanese art toys and bobble heads. I attended the art exhibition of Daniel Lim and several other young and up & coming artists. The gallery space, while small in itself, is made all the more cool by it's location in the store, which is almost an exhibit in itself with all the crazy toys and books they sell. Aside from the show exhibition pieces, the gallery has plenty of it's own regular pieces, many of which you can browse in the long hallway leading to the restrooms and ALL for sale. Keep in mind, since these are original pieces, none are cheap, expect to pay anywhere from a few hundred to few thousand depending on the pieces, but if you like cool, contemporary pop art, this is definitely the place to go. read more

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Do you need to buy a gift? Do you have an itch to look at cool art? Do you enjoy the presence of a dog with crooked teeth? Come here. Just go. Now. Buying my 9 year old cousin cool pens from her was a hit. Taking a date here also went swimmingly. I've been here 3 times. They change their exhibits frequently but everytime its gold. Well if you enjoy sexually charge or dark art. If you don't enjoy that type of thing stay in the gift shop area. read more

Not a very large gallery but collection is excellent. In the middle of Wacko/Soap Plant - been around since 1980, and some time in the new millennium, moved from Melrose Ave to East Hollywood. We purchased a small painting by Karikatura, an upcoming artist from Guadalajara. Wonderful. read more

La Luz de Jesus Gallery - "Sharped Knife" by KariKatura! - Art Galleries Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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. read more

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! read more

This tiny gallery space is attached to Wacko and holds art of a similar vein-funky, weird and just below the mainstream. I was most recently here for a Miles Thompson show that was not to be missed, but if you did, the adjoining back room houses unsold works from past shows, so there may be one or two left to view and/or buy. It's no frills and small but they do a good job of attracting quality artists to exhibit and I'd rather the art do the talking anyway, rather than compete with the space for attention or be masked by it. Definitely pop back here if you are wandering through Wacko looking for a gift or a laugh. read more

Can I get a DUUUUURR?!? For me, cuz I can't believe I have yet to Yelp one of my favorite little galleries around town yet! Pshaw Stephy. Anyhoo, this place is rad. Yeah, rad, I said it. And they usually have amazing shows coming through here and it's attached to one of the best money sucking in a good way stores in LA; Wacko. I mean really, how can you go wrong? You can't. So get on their mailing list and try to hit one of these shows and even if you aren't a super duper huge fan of that show, you can always play I spy a white belt :) Win win!! read more

Another night, another opening... Got a heads up on another early punk related event. There was a book signing and photo exhibit for Punk 365, a new book of 70's punk photography from various early scene photographers by Holly George-Warren. So, I got on the the bike and took the subway into the city. La Luz de Jesus Gallery is located inside WACKO, that insanely popular store of kitsch and weirdness located on Hollywood Blvd in Los Feliz.. While WACKO focuses on the weird and the anti-mainstream, the gallery adds to it with it's focus on pop art and other low brow collectives. It's a small gallery, but they have interesting installations and monthly events that always have a finger on the pulse of the local art scene. I've, personally, never been disappointed with one of their showings or events. If you're interested in local Los Angeles art and have a penchant for the eccentric, La Luz de Jesus will not let you down. Parking has never been a problem and once you're done with the gallery you can spend those hard earned dollars on a bizarre item in WACKO. read more

A person often forgets to go into the gallery because it's in WACKO, one of the craziest ADD inducing spots imaginable. But once you find your way in, you'll be amazed at both the talent and the price of these one of a kind originals! Ugh, I totally want a Yuki Mirazaki or a Sheri Debow or even a Laura Borchat. Gaaarrrrggghh! If you must buy art and be cultured, buy it from here. You'll be seen as ultra hip and tres chic... and such a cool local-know-it-all. But then I didn't have to tell you that, right? :) read more

La Luz is, without a doubt, one of best gallery showing lowbrow/pop surrealist/post-pop artists today. If you read juxtapos magazine, you'll be in heaven at this gallery! Liz McGrath, Shag, Glenn Barr, Joe Coleman and the Pizz have all shown at La Luz. EVEN Robert Williams and Manuel OCampo have shown here! If you like boobie art, pin-ups, tikis, big eye girls, hot rods, the grotesque or anything carnivalesque, you'll enjoy a visit to La Luz. Each month, there's an opening reception that is guaranteed to be packed and full of fun. Good times! read more

I love this gallery. It's where I got my first Adam Strange piece (Seriously... that's his legal name... I checked... I was like.. dude.. isn't that a DC Comic book character? My uncle used to collect them... so I know...) Anyway - check out his website... adamstrange.com. I met him at that the opening... which brings me back to... La Luz... try to make their openings....great surrealist stuff. Check out their website to find out what stuff is showing currently... but you can also buy past stuff that's not yet sold. It's one of my favorite little galleries and ranks up there with the best of the Sante Fe art scene... or NYC for that matter. It's hard to write down a price range for the quality of the art that is shown.... well.. I think they are very reasonable - I collect art as do some of my friends... and this is definitely a place to check inventories periodically to find really interesting stuff. ...Makes me want to learn how to paint. ::::Deep sigh... ....in my next life I'm going to be an artist... for now... just a patron. read more

Love the store and the gallery! I live close by but never knew about this place until I was watching a reality show FROM Spain : Alaska y Mario on MTV . www.mtv.es They love this store and they show it on the show, so i went to check it out and I love everything they have. Some prices are high but they have unique things. read more

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! read more

In the back of Wacko you will find the small gallery. The first time I went to Wacko I ran out of time and never made it back there. I'm glad I did this time because it is an absolutely wonderful treat. There is a diverse set of pieces ranging from art you would find in a Burton movie, to sketching, to tikis and robots, to dynamic found pieces and placements, to oddities, religious pieces, and other art stylings you would expect from.. well a more rockabilly artsy gallery. Add to the fact that its FREE to walk around in all the time & only a couple of miles away from the Museum of Death and this will forever be on my rotation. Need something to do later? There's gallery showings there frequently. You can go in and grab tons of fliers for local events beyond the gallery exhibits. In the gallery portion you will find additional art books and taxidermy items such as bones of animals and other finished skeletal structural pieces. (Its rare I find this... the last time I saw it so out in the open was in Paxton's gate in SF). Go make a stop for one of the coming shows: Voluptuaries and Vivisections: A Celebration of Depravity runs Aug 14-30 with an opening at 8pm Bryan Cunningham's "Wanderlost" runs sept 4-27 with an opening reception at 8 And hey, maybe I'll run into you sometime. I'll be that redhead over there.. the one without the pabst so you can find me easily ;) read more

The coolest gallery in Los Angeles!!! They have their openings on the first Friday of every month and they're always great. Although, their best month of the year is March, when they hold their annual "Everything But The Kitchen Sink" group show. It's also located inside one of the interesting shops in the world "SOAP PLANET WHACKO" that has amazing art books as well as a whole isle of bobble heads and oddities. If you've never been here before, you must go! read more

I love this place! Have been going to La Luz since they were on Melrose years ago. Great shows, fun atmosphere! Gallery space is small, and can get crazy crowded, but always a good time. You can lose yourself for hours in the books, toys, pop culture items. This is always where I start my Christmas shopping! Don't miss this shop out of towners, it's worth the stop. Hit this and walk down the way and grab a burger from Umami. read more