The Hammer Museum in Westwood delivers a tightly curated week of programs that move between literature, contemporary art, climate innovation, meditation, and family creativity. From Booker Prize–shortlisted novelist Katie Kitamura discussing her latest work to educator-led tours of Made in L.A. 2025, the lineup offers layered entry points into culture and conversation. Architecture leaders tackle climate transformation, art historians revisit Henri Matisse’s late career, and bilingual family workshops invite the next generation into the galleries. It’s a cross-section of ideas unfolding in real time across one of Los Angeles’ most engaged museum stages.
1. Lunchtime Art Talk: On Ali Eyal
Feb 18. Curatorial assistant Azul Silverio leads a focused midday conversation on Made in L.A. 2025 artist Ali Eyal, offering insight into the conceptual framework and material language behind his work. These lunchtime sessions are designed for close looking, inviting dialogue rather than passive listening. It’s an accessible entry point into the museum’s biennial exhibition and the broader Los Angeles contemporary art landscape. Wednesday at 12:30PM.
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2. Mindful Awareness Meditation
Feb. 19. The Hammer’s free weekly meditation session offers a structured pause in the middle of the workday, open to all levels of experience. Facilitators guide participants through practices centered on breath, attention, and present-moment awareness. Offered both onsite and online, the program reflects the museum’s ongoing investment in mental clarity alongside intellectual programming. Thursday, 12:30 PM.
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3. Some Favorite Writers: Katie Kitamura
Feb. 19. Booker Prize–shortlisted novelist Katie Kitamura discusses her latest work, Audition, a tightly constructed narrative examining identity, intimacy, and the roles we perform within relationships. The evening includes a conversation with UCLA professor Mona Simpson, extending into craft, structure, and adaptation across media. The Hammer’s long-running literary series has hosted some of the most influential voices in contemporary fiction, positioning this as one of the week’s marquee events. Thursday, 7:30 PM.
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4. Exhibition Highlights Tour: Made in L.A. 2025
Feb. 21. Hammer educators lead a conversation-based tour of Made in L.A. 2025, the museum’s flagship biennial spotlighting artists working across the greater Los Angeles area. The format emphasizes discussion and interpretation, encouraging visitors to engage directly with the works on view. For those new to the exhibition, it provides context around curatorial themes and artistic approaches shaping this year’s edition. Saturday, 1:00 PM.
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5. In Focus: Transformation
Feb. 21. This multi-hour forum convenes global leaders in architecture and design to address urgent climate challenges through innovative and adaptive strategies. Conversations center on resilience, sustainable materials, and the evolving role of design in shaping livable cities. Though RSVP is at capacity, limited standby tickets may be released at 2:00 PM, with a recording available online afterward. Saturday, 2-6 p.m.
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6. Laboratorio de Arte / Art Lab
Feb.22. This bilingual family program invites children and caregivers into hands-on creative activities inspired by works currently on display. Projects are designed to connect young visitors with artistic processes through experimentation and play. It’s one of the museum’s most community-centered offerings, reinforcing access across generations. Sunday at 1 p.m.
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For the rest of the programs visit hammer.ucla.edu
Address: 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles
Photo credits: Photos courtesy of Hammer Museum
