The LA Art Show is back and celebrating its 30th anniversary, and its kickoff event was certainly one to remember.
Hosted by actress and producer Jenna Dewan, the LA Art Show Opening Night Premiere Party was held on Wednesday, February 19th at the Los Angeles Convention Center. In support of the American Heart Association and California Community Foundation’s Wildlife Recovery Fund, the red carpet was filled with full of support for the city’s First Responders ahead of the night.
A ton of celebs made their way to Downtown LA to show their support, including reality TV stars Tom Schwartz and Jax Taylor (Vanderpump Rules), legendary actor Edward James Olmos (Miami Vice, Blade Runner), influencer Caleb Marshall, model Caitlyn O’Connor, Jack’s Mannequin & Something Corporate frontman Andrew McMahon, beauty influencer Amber Scholl, actress Meredith Salenger (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Dawson’s Creek) and more.
Dewan, 44, spoke to us all about hosting the milestone event, saying that she felt “blessed” to be given the opportunity to give back amid the wildfires that raved through Los Angeles earlier this year.
“I feel very blessed to be asked to host and to give back in any way that I can,” Jenna shares with Celeb Secrets on the red carpet. “To support both The American Heart Association and L.A. Wildfire Relief… it just feels very important and a great time to get the message out and to give back.”
Marshall also expressed his excitement to be in attendance, sharing that he just couldn’t wait to see what the night held.
“The American Heart Association reached out to me. I have worked with them before and I was just so excited to be a part of anything that they are a part of,” he explains. “This is my first time here and I’m so excited. I just can’t wait to see what the night holds!”
The evening provided guests VIP access to an advanced preview of the LA Art Show’s expansive programming, entertainment, cuisine and beverages from top local restaurants and brands. Under the guidance of Producer and Director Kassandra Voyagis, the Art Show is commemorating its 30 year milestone with exhibits from galleries and museums across the globe.
Running from February 20-23, the LA Art Show not only celebrated modern and contemporary art, but showcased the “Breathing Resilience” exhibition, presented by Building Bridges Art Exchange. The exhibition featured the work of several artists who faced the loss of their homes and their work in the Los Angeles-are fires, including those of Eric Zammitt and Robert Vargas.
For opening night, renowned artist Vargas created a live mural to honor the heroic work of the first responders who battled the wildfires. This was more than just an exhibition, but a celebration of resilience, creativity, and the unbreakable bond of the community.
The LA Art Show donated 15% of the purchase price for every ticket sold to its charity beneficiary the American Heart Association. In response to the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, LA Art Show also donated to the California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Recovery Fund, with the option to support fundraising efforts when purchasing tickets or directly through LA Art Show‘s donation link. The LA Art Show even granted firefighters and their families free general admission entry to the fair from February 19-23 to thank them for their heroic efforts.
You can watch our full interview with Jenna below — and don’t forget to click through the gallery to see the best snaps from the event at the bottom of the post.
