The VIP opening of Frieze Los Angeles at Santa Monica Airport saw a surge of high-value transactions and heavy foot traffic from both local and international collectors. Major galleries reported multi-million dollar sales within the first few hours, including a $2.8 million work by Njideka Akunyili Crosby at David Zwirner and a sold-out booth of Conny Maier paintings at Hauser & Wirth. Dealers described the atmosphere as a "frenzy," noting that sales figures in some cases already tripled their performance at previous major fairs like Art Basel Miami Beach.
This robust start signals the continued resilience of the Los Angeles art market and its growing importance as a global hub. The fair's success is underscored by significant institutional acquisitions, such as the California African American Museum's purchase of a Jessica Taylor Bellamy work through a dedicated fair fund. The high volume of six- and seven-figure sales suggests that despite broader economic uncertainties, top-tier collectors remain eager to invest in both established blue-chip artists and emerging talent.