9 Dark Art Galleries in Los Angeles You Need to Visit

Updated on June 19, 2023

Before the pandemic hit, I could often be found taking in the latest dark art exhibits happening local to me. In fact, when I started Vamp Jenn’s Corner in 2018, I was covering dark art frequently on my blog because every month there was always a new exhibit happening. It was no surprise that in-person art events largely ceased for more than a year starting in 2020, but when restrictions began lifting in the City of Angels, spaces excitedly reopened their doors and welcomed patrons to admire the macabre works of gifted artists up close again.

For those whose artistic tastes lean towards the grotesque, bizarre and otherworldly, then the following dark art galleries in Los Angeles will tickle your fancy. I’ve paid a visit to most of these establishments and look forward to continuing to cover future art shows. Here is a selection of L.A. dark art galleries you need to visit if you find yourself in the area.

Note: From left to right, top featured image includes “Behind You” by Larkin Cypher, a photo inside the original Lethal Amounts location and art inside The Dark Art Emporium

Black Sheep Gallery Burbank

This self-described “goth glam gallery” in Burbank has showcased a plethora of provocative and morbid pieces. The last event I attended was themed Erotic, featuring tantalizing creations by a variety of artists. Occult fashion designer Missy Munster of MM Fabrications debuted her INRI collection here, which included a stirring human suspension performance. The gallery holds events from time to time, but I’m not sure if they’re open daily to the public. Their Instagram profile specifies to contact them for a private viewing. Their website has changed since they first started out and now features an online shop with original art and prints that you can purchase. Their inventory of eye-catching morbid paintings would delight any dark art collector’s soul.

Copro Gallery

Copro Gallery has been around since 1992 and is nestled in the Bergamot Station arts complex in Santa Monica. Renowned artist Chet Zar, who’s also the founder of The Dark Art Society, has collaborated closely with the gallery on several projects over the years to promote the dark art scene. The group art show he curated with Jeremy Wagner titled Conjoined vs. Grotesque: Denizens of the Dark in 2019 was the first event I attended at the gallery, and it introduced me to an eclectic mix of emerging and established artists. Copro typically hosts new art exhibits monthly. Opening reception events are free and featured artists are usually in attendance.

Dark Art Emporium   

This was the first gallery I visited that exposed me to the world of dark art and the one I’ve covered the most on my blog. Located in the East Village of the city of Long Beach, Dark Art Emporium is overseen by owner Jeremy Schott and assistant director Jeremy Cross, otherwise referred to as “The Jeremys.” This pair is as laidback and unpretentious as they come in the art scene.

The business has moved a couple of times, and its current space is a nice upgrade from the smaller location it previously inhabited. They’ve hosted some very unconventional and stimulating exhibits showing off mind-blowing art. Plus, DAE is connected to a horror-inspired pizzeria called The 4^th Horseman that features a diabolically delicious menu! This is a joint where you can feed your appetite for good art and food. They introduce new events almost every month. Admission is free, but you must be 21 and over to enter the restaurant and gallery.

The Hive Gallery & Studios

I have yet to visit The Hive, but I’m hoping to change that soon. This gallery was founded by Nathan Cartwright and opened its doors in 2005 amidst the Downtown Art Walk neighborhood of Los Angeles. It specializes in neo-pop creations with themed exhibits that have highlighted paganism, the Tarot, fetishism, sci-fi and the paranormal, to name only a few. The Hive debuts a new art show every month, so there’s always something fresh to discover. An added bonus is that the gallery’s inventory includes affordable, premium quality works with prices as low as $10—a great resource for novice art collectors. It’s open to the public from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and by appointment only Sunday through Tuesday.    

Hyaena Gallery

Located in Burbank, Hyaena Gallery is a haven for outsider art that’s dark and underground. The space is intimate and, in addition to art, features a shop where clients can purchase prints, iconic memorabilia, books and other strange and unusual goodies. A while back, I checked out the Dreaming of Spirits show, which exhibited ethereal pieces by a variety of artists. Before the pandemic, Hyaena was unveiling new exhibits monthly, but their calendar doesn’t have any upcoming events occurring in-store at the moment. However, the establishment is open to visitors who would like to browse their macabre treasures.

Lethal Amounts

Priding itself on promoting controversial and unconventional works, Lethal Amounts relishes in collaborating with creators who push and test boundaries. The gallery is in downtown Los Angeles and recently relocated to Little Tokyo. Formerly, it was situated in another part of the city. The business is the brainchild of Danny Fuentes and proudly brandishes its signature safety pins LA brand logo. Fuentes has also hosted underground music events and other types of alternative gatherings at the previous gallery site and at other venues. Artists whose work I’ve seen at the original spot include the duo Mothmeister, Blake Armstrong and Brittany Markert.

Their concept looks like it’s changed slightly. It’s still dark and edgy, but the new location is bigger and has a sizable retail space selling their branded merchandise and a showroom. It appears they’re expanding beyond being strictly a dark art gallery and exploring other macabre routes. As of now, Lethal Amounts doesn’t have dark artwork for sale or as the primary focus, but the brand’s origins are rooted in the dark art world, and they seem to still be active in the scene. Keep your eye out on their future offerings.

La Matadora Gallery

La Matadora Gallery is tucked away in the desert wilderness of Joshua Tree, east of Los Angeles.  It was founded and opened in 2017 by Colleena Hake. Although it encompasses less than 400 square feet, the space makes a big statement through the artists and pieces displayed. Exhibits are curated by Hake and Wendy Gadzuk, who is also a gifted artist. The atmosphere and works showcased radiate a rustic, magical energy.

I haven’t made my way to this gallery yet, but I’m hoping to eventually take a trip to the High Desert. The location of this space is the most unique of the galleries mentioned on this list because it lies outside of the city surrounded by a wild and wonderous landscape. They’re also a nonprofit and you can make a donation on their website to support them and the arts. Currently, La Matadora is open to the public on weekends and by appointment.

The Mystic Museum

While not strictly a dark art gallery, I’m including The Mystic Museum because they’ve put on some fantastic art shows in the past. It’s located in a part of Burbank called Magnolia Park, known for its retro and eccentric shops. I’ve attended several events and they’re always entertaining because they incorporate fun photo ops and immersive experiences that align with the theme of the exhibit.

The Dark Art Emporium was the first professional gallery that exposed me to macabre fine art, whereas The Mystic Museum introduced me to pop-up art installations. Owners Kiko and Erick highlight works inspired by horror, comics, Halloween, the occult and pop culture by emerging, local and established artists. Past events have focused on The Shining, Vampira, Goosebumps, Gothic Families of TV and more.

The business has an interesting setup and is divided into three sections. During your visit, you can browse their oddities shop, which was formerly known as Bearded Lady Vintage & Oddities but is now called Mystic Museum Oddities. There’s also Camp Horror, which focuses on 80s slashers and horror films. Then there’s The Mystic Museum, which houses dark home décor, goth fashion and other macabre items. The Mystic Museum is fun and family-friendly, so if you’re looking for something artistic, creative and spooky to do with your kids, this is a good place to head to.

SugarMynt Gallery

Here at SugarMynt Gallery in South Pasadena, every day is Halloween. The establishment sits in an iconic spot too—it’s where filming for the 1978 horror flick Halloween took place! Yes, you read that right. The gallery is situated behind the original Michael Myers house and displays behind-the-scenes photos from the movie, artifacts from Hocus Pocus and spooky artworks. They host an eclectic mix of events, such as art shows, pop-up experiences and outdoor horror film screenings.

My first visit was for their vampire-themed event. On the night I went, Dacre Stoker gave a lecture on his great granduncle, Bram Stoker! The space is really neat and cozy because it occupies an actual house. Plus, SugarMynt offers a ScareBNB attraction, which allows guests to rent a room in the gallery that’s decked out in décor inspired by the Halloween movie.

SugarMynt presents new exhibitions throughout the year, and the artwork tends to revolve around spooky pop culture and horror. There’s usually a small admission a fee of $10, and it’s another family-friendly spot.