L.A. Gallery Various Small Fires Spreads to Arts Precinct of Melrose Hill

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Los Angeles gallery Various Small Fires is moving to the Melrose Hill district—home to David Zwirner, CLEARING, and more—with a 5,000-square-foot space set to launch during Frieze Los Angeles next February.

Saying farewell to its Highland Avenue location, the gallery aims to foster a ‘community-centred approach to art engagement’ at its new location north of Koreatown, with traditional gallery spaces alongside a wine bar, coffee shop, and florist residency.

Founder and political candidate Esther Kim Varet said the format ‘proposes a new model of art consumption and community connection’, while leaning into her Korean immigrant roots. 

‘As we confront seismic societal shifts, the way we engage with art must also evolve,’ she said.

The move comes as Varet prepares to run for Congress as a democrat in California’s 40th Congressional District for the seat occupied by republican Young Kim. 

‘At this crossroads in history, we need new leaders with stubborn integrity and responsible values, to restore stability and sanity to government,’ Varet’s campaign page reads. The dealer has raised over $1.6 million (USD) so far according to Ballotpedia.

Founded as an artist-run space in Varet’s Venice Beach home, VSF represents artists like Ashley Bickerton, Mark Yang, and Che Lovelace.

With a first location in Hollywood opening in 2015, it has since expanded to Seoul, Dallas, and Orange Country.

Of Our Own, an exhibition of new work by Korean American painter Wendy Park is on view at the gallery in Orange County until 16 August 2025. —[O]

Main image: Various Small Fires, Los Angeles. Courtesy Various Small Fires.