Founded in 2004 by artists Susan Simpson and Janie Geiser, Automata is a non-profit art and performance gallery that’s dedicated to the creation, incubation, and presentation of experimental puppet theater, experimental film, and other contemporary art practices centered on ideas of artifice and performing objects. Automata has a particular interest in intimate viewing situations, similar to those that have been the provenance of traditional puppet theater and early film: living rooms, storefront windows, and tiny theaters.

Founded in Seattle, the Charlie James Gallery opened on Chung King Road in November 2008. Housed in a 1947 Chinatown manufacturing building and re-designed by Dane Johnson and Manuel Bonilla, the gallery exhibits emerging and mid-career artists with post-Pop and Conceptual areas of focus. The gallery’s focus leans toward political work that in some way questions or comments on issues of contemporary cultural significance. The gallery is open Wednesday-Saturday from noon to 5 p.m.

Cause Gallery was founded in 2014 by Frank Takaki, a self taught artist and curator. The monthly group shows feature a mix of cause-based artwork by activist, cultural or established artists as well as periodic one week special art installations. Artwork is priced about half of that of comparable works, with low commissions.

Chungking Studio hosts a wide range of art exhibits, pop-up galleries and special events. Rather than a traditional gallery with a regular schedule of hours, Chungking Studio is a creative space that’s available for daily or weekly rental, featuring a bright, high-end space with a wall of windows that provides beautiful, natural light. The space also functions as a photography studio and filming location.

Coagula Curatorial was founded in April 2012 by L.A. art critic and curator, Mat Gleason to celebrate 20 years of publishing the Coagula Art Journal, a free zine that gained notoriety for its "no-holds barred" critique of contemporary art and the art world. Coagula is regarded as an early champion of Los Angeles as the equal of - “and often superior to” - the art scene in New York. Following the same spirit as the magazine, the gallery has hosted solo shows by contemporary artists such as Karen Finley, Kim Dingle, Gronk (artist), Llyn Foulkes, Sheree Rose and others. Guest curators have included prominent artists such as John Fleck, Diane Gamboa, Germs, Peter Shelton, Gajin Fujita, Sue de Beer and Rafael Reyes (artist). The gallery is open Wednesday-Sunday, 1-6 p.m.

Fifth Floor Gallery is a store and exhibition space opened in January 2008 by Robert Apodaca, whose background in architecture ensures a wide range of contemporary art exhibits, from painting and mixed media to furniture and architectural design. Works by a wide range of artists, designers and architects rotate through the exhibition areas, while a collection of unique accessories, jewelry, furniture and design objects remains on display. Many of these hand-made items are unavailable elsewhere. The gallery is open Thursday-Sunday from noon-6 p.m. or by appointment.

Opened in 2014, The Good Luck Gallery is the only gallery in Los Angeles to exclusively showcase self-taught art. Whether it’s called Outsider, Folk Art, Naive or Visionary, the emphasis is on artists who are driven by a compulsive need to create and who work beyond the margins of the traditional art world. The gallery is owned and curated by Paige Wery, who brings 20 years of experience and a passion for intuitive art to the venture. Established artists are shown, as well as the emerging and overlooked, and every form of art – from painting, drawing and sculpture to performance and installations – will be on display. In addition to regular gallery shows, an online shop features paintings, ceramics, thrift store finds, handmade arts and crafts, as well as zines and literature. The Good Luck Gallery is open Wednesday-Sunday from noon-6 p.m. and by appointment.

Opened in summer 2013, Red Pipe Gallery showcases a variety of contemporary art exhibitions. Recent shows include 100-year-old artist Morrie Markoff’s first-ever exhibit and the California Locos group show, featuring five native Angelenos whose works span a half-century of the L.A. art scene, with influences from surf, skate, rock & roll and street subcultures. Red Pipe Gallery is open Thursday-Saturday from noon-5 p.m. and by appointment.