Every creative journey has an origin story, and for Nude Art LA, it all began with a challenge—a challenge that would ultimately shape the heart and soul of our community.
Back in the 2000’s, I lived in Florida and worked as an attorney. Given the long hours and soul-crushing nature of my work, I needed a creative outlet, and found it in photography and body painting. I was passionate about celebrating the beauty of the human form, and found it wonderfully inspiring. Yet, despite the artistry and intention behind my work, I found myself repeatedly turned away from art events across the state. The reason? My inclusion of tasteful, non-sexualized nudity in my art. Ironically, these same events would often welcome violent or disturbing imagery without a second thought.
This contradiction struck a nerve. Why was the human body, in its most honest and vulnerable state, considered more controversial than depictions of violence? Why did our culture so often hide from the very thing that connects us all? These questions became the spark that lit the fire for Nude Art LA.
A Leap of Faith: The First Nude Art LA Event
Determined to create a space where the human form could be honored and explored without shame or censorship, I set out to launch the very first Nude Art LA event in March 2018. The planning was daunting. There were questions about finding a venue that would embrace our mission, curating artists and performers who shared our vision, and—perhaps most intimidating—attracting an audience willing to challenge their own preconceptions about nudity and art.
What happened was nothing short of magical.
Working with a small team of other people who felt similarly inspired, we found a venue in an artist collective that allowed us to use their space for free in exchange for helping fix a few lights, doing some cleaning, and making them dinner. A nudist group reached out to see if they could attend a special session of the show (and this has been a fixture of our events ever since). And a small, but enthusiastic audience of people, inspired by what we were putting together, materialized to see what we had put together.
The gallery was alive with energy as guests mingled, discussed, and created. Artists displayed paintings, drawings, and photographs that celebrated the human body in all its diversity. Live performances—including body painting, figure sketching, dance, and music—brought the space to life, blurring the lines between artist and audience.
People came not just to view art, but to participate in a new kind of conversation—one built on respect, curiosity, and the belief that nudity can be beautiful, powerful, and deeply human.
Building a Community, One Event at a Time
That first event set the tone for everything that followed. Each subsequent show—September 2018, March 2019, and, after our pandemic pause, February 2024—has been a testament to the courage and creativity of the Nude Art LA community. Our events have featured pole dancers, aerialists, burlesque performers, live musicians, comedians, and, always, the opportunity for guests to sketch and create alongside professional artists.
What makes Nude Art LA special isn’t just the art on the walls or the performances on stage. It’s the people—the artists, models, volunteers, and attendees—who come together to celebrate vulnerability and self-expression. It’s the conversations that happen between strangers, the friendships that form, and the sense of belonging that lingers long after the night is over.
Supporting Artists Beyond the Event
One of our proudest achievements is the way Nude Art LA has helped artists connect with new audiences and collectors. If you’ve ever fallen in love with a piece at one of our events, you’ll be happy to know that some of that art is still available through our partner platform, Art Outbreak.
Browse and purchase art from previous Nude Art LA events on Art Outbreak here.
Supporting these artists means more than just acquiring a beautiful piece for your home—it’s a way to invest in the creative spirit that keeps our community thriving.
Looking Forward
As we continue to plan for future events, our mission remains unchanged: to create safe, inspiring spaces where the beauty of the human form can be explored without shame or censorship. We’re excited to announce new shows, feature more artists, and welcome even more of you into the Nude Art LA family.
Thank you for being part of our story. Whether you’ve been with us since that very first event or you’re just discovering us now, your presence is what makes Nude Art LA possible.
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s blog, where we’ll take you behind the scenes of our live figure sketching sessions and share tips for getting the most out of your next visit!
Want to see more art or relive past events? Visit Art Outbreak to explore and purchase works from our featured artists.