January and February is a time for awards and art fairs. Don’t believe me? In Los Angeles, with the Golden Globes, Critics’s Choice Awards, and the upcoming Oscars alongside the LA Art Show and the Art Los Angeles Contemporary this week, there’s plenty to do and see in the City of Angels. You might not have an invite to Hollywood’s most elite ceremonies, but with our selection of the best art shows in LA county, you won’t feel like you’re missing out.

Before embarking on your journey to brick-and-mortar galleries, visit a digital show: Bid Network Online’s sale of photography from the 20th century to the present—including 20 works by famed Hollywood photographer George Hurrell—ends today, so it’s now or never! Also ending soon is Fahey/Klein Gallery’s exhibition, which takes visitors 12,000 feet up in the air with Vincent Laforet’s dizzying aerial photographs. Be sure to visit the show before it closes this weekend, and contemplate the cities of Miami, Sydney, and Barcelona as you’ve never seen them before. Then, head on to Kohn Gallery to see its two concurrent exhibitions: Dean Levin’s first solo show in Los Angeles, which investigates space, perception, and architecture through a variety of sculptures, paintings, and mirrors, and in another room, Lita Albuquerque’s installation of paintings and sculptures made with materials sourced from all over the world, from Mt. Vesuvius to centuries-old Japanese enogu pigments.

Over on Wilshire Boulevard, the Hammer Museum presents 12 stunning portraits by Catherine Opie. In an echo of Old Master portraiture, the artist has created elegantly posed images of visual artists, fashion designers, and writers from her inner circle of creative friends. Next stop, François Ghebaly Gallery on Washington Boulevard, where LA-based artist Mitchell Syrop addresses the importance of language mediated and altered through subjective modes of expression. His pseudo-gibberish text paintings with phrases like “Aim yore big guest phan” and “Ima niza guy” feel very relevant to our current über-digital era.  If you plan to enjoy some time at the beach—and you totally should—stop by Lora Schlesinger Gallery at Santa Monica, where Lani Emanuel’s paintings capture key moments of transition in young women’s lives in her contemplative, carefully observed portraits.

Your newsfeed might be full Oscars coverage, but those of you in Los Angeles have other things to do. Log off, and head out to appreciate some exciting art.

Mitchell Syrop, Aim Yore Big Guest Phan. Courtesy of François Ghebaly Gallery.

Exhibition: “Mitchell Syrop: Niza Guy”
When: November 14, 2015–January 30, 2016
Where: François Ghebaly Gallery, 2245 E Washington Blvd., Los Angeles, CA

Vincent Laforet, Miami II (2015). Courtesy of Fahey/Klein Gallery.

Exhibition: “Vincent Laforet: AIR”
When: December 10, 2015–January 30, 2016
Where: Fahey/Klein Gallery, 148 N. La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles, CA

Lita Albuquerque, Eolian Acceleration (2015). Courtesy of Kohn Gallery.

Exhibition: “Lita Alburquerque: Embodiment”
When: January 9–February 27, 2016
Where: Kohn Gallery, 1227 North Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA

Dean Levin, AAVVAA (2015). Courtesy of Kohn Gallery.

Exhibition: “Dean Levin: XTC”
When: January 16–February 27, 2016
Where: Kohn Gallery, 1227 North Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA

Ian Ingram, Minotaur (2015). Courtesy of 101/EXHIBIT.

Exhibition: “Ian Ingram – Ash and Oil”
When: January 16–February 27, 2016
Where: 101/EXHIBIT, 8920 Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood, CA

Matthew Porter, Dynamic of the Dark (2015). Courtesy of M+B.

Exhibition: “Matthew Porter: Four False Starts”
When: January 23–March 12, 2016
Where: M+B, 612 N. Almont Drive, Los Angeles, CA

Nathaniel Perales, Into Nothing (2012). Courtesy of Bid Network Online.

Exhibition: “Photographs”
When: January 28, 2016
Where: Bid Network Online, 11222 S. La Cienega Blvd., Ste. 150, Los Angeles, CA

José Manuel Fors, Paraguas (2015). Courtesy of Couturier Gallery.

Exhibition: “Jose Manuel Fors: Wide Shadow”
When: January 9–February 13, 2016
Where: Couturier Gallery, 166 N. La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles, CA

Gilles Cenazandotti, Polar Bear (2015). Courtesy of UFO SPACE.

Exhibition: “Gilles Cenazandotti: Plastic Beach”
When: January 30, 2016 from 5p.m. to 10p.m.
Where: UFO SPACE, 1215 N Highland Avenue, Los Angeles, CA

Lani Emanuel, Blue Glitter (2014). Courtesy of Lora Schlesinger Gallery.

Exhibition: “Lani Emanuel: She’s Becoming”
When: January 30–March 12, 2016
Where: Lora Schlesinger Gallery, 2525 Michigan Avenue, #B5b, Santa Monica, CA

Jiro Takamatsu. Courtesy of Kayne Griffin Corcoran.

Exhibition: “Jiro Takamatsu”
When: January 30–March 26, 2016
Where: Kayne Griffin Corcoran, 1201 S. La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles, CA

Catherine Opie, Kate & Laura (2012). ©Catherine Opie, Courtesy of Regen Projects and Lehmann Maupin, and the Hammer Museum.

Exhibition: “Hammer Projects: Catherine Opie: Portraits”
When: January 30–May 22, 2016
Where: Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA

Alexander Yulish, Installation View. Courtesy of Ace Gallery.

Exhibition: “Alexander Yulish: Immovable Thoughts”
When: On view through January 2016
Where: Ace Gallery Beverly Hills, 9430 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA