Intersection with Tracy von Ahsen at 18th Street

Some art events ask you to stand quietly in front of a wall. This one asks you to bring an appetite and a few questions. On Tuesday, November 3, 18th Street Arts Center in Santa Monica hosts Intersection with Tracy von Ahsen, a relaxed early-evening gathering built around food, conversation and the work of its current spotlight artist. It is free, open to the public, and an easy addition to the list of things to do in Los Angeles this fall.

When: Tuesday, November 3, 2026, 5 to 7 PM Where: 18th Street Arts Center, 1639 18th St, Santa Monica, CA 90404 Price: Free, open to the public

What the evening is about

The Intersection series is described by the center as a way of gathering its community around good food, conversation and art. There is no formal program to sit through. You drop in, grab a bite, and talk with other guests and with Tracy von Ahsen, the artist in the spotlight this time. Tracy is tagged on the event page as part of the center's VisitingAIR program, which brings artists to the campus to work and connect with neighbors.

If you have ever wanted to ask an artist how a piece starts, what they are working on, or what it is like to make work in a shared studio space, a casual format like this is the right setting. Nobody expects you to arrive with art-world vocabulary.

Come early for a studio tour

Arrive at 4 PM and you can join a free 30-minute open house tour of the Co-Create Studio, which runs from 4 to 4:30 PM. You can drop in, or reserve a spot ahead of time at 18thstreet.org/cocreate. It is a good way to see the building and the working spaces before the social hour begins.

About 18th Street Arts Center

18th Street Arts Center is a nonprofit arts organization on 18th Street in Santa Monica. It runs residencies, exhibitions and public programs, and it is one of the more welcoming places on the Westside to meet working artists. If you are scanning for LA events this weekend, note that this one is on a weeknight, so it fits neatly after work.

Practical info

The address is 1639 18th Street, Santa Monica. Check the center's page before you go for any updates, and give yourself time to find parking on the surrounding residential blocks, since street spots in the neighborhood fill up in the early evening. The center's office line is (310) 453-3711 if you have questions about access.

Looking for more to do nearby? Browse Santa Monica events and the rest of our arts and culture picks for upcoming events in Los Angeles worth planning around.