Gary Baseman Studio is pleased to announce Off the Menu: Dining and Drawing in LA , an exhibition and “happening” featuring more than 40 original drawings by Gary Baseman, created directly on menus of beloved Los Angeles restaurants.
Opening on May 8, 2026, in conjunction with Metro D Line Wilshire/Fairfax station celebrations, the exhibition will run through June 14, 2026 at Johnie’s Coffee Shop (6101 Wilshire Boulevard).
This marks Baseman’s first solo exhibition in Los Angeles since his mid-career survey The Door is Always Open at the Skirball Cultural Center in 2013.
Off the Menu is a love letter to Los Angeles, his hometown, and the iconic restaurants that have come to define it. The exhibition showcases original drawings created by Baseman at dining establishments across the city—including classic Musso & Frank, Genghis Cohen, and Canter’s to more contemporary places like Jon & Vinny’s, 1 Little Fish, and Max & Helen’s—capturing meals with friends and family through his signature “Dream Reality” lens, where mythical creatures mingle with real-life characters from the present and past. Each work in Off the Menu is on the actual menus of LA restaurants, created by Baseman while dining. He calls these “action drawings”: a discipline that demands full engagement with the food, the moment, and his fellow diners, with each piece completed before the meal ends. The result is a body of work that transforms the everyday ritual of eating together into creative engagement. For six weeks, Johnie’s Coffee Shop will be a unique location to present Baseman’s art. As he puts it: “Art exists everywhere. It doesn’t have to be called that, but good design and aesthetics affect how anyone experiences a place. I am honored to show my work at Johnie’s. I’m so glad this Googie building still exists.”
EXHIBITION & PROGRAMMING In addition to original artworks for sale, Baseman will offer limited edition merchandise designed and made in Los Angeles. An exclusive Off the Menu letterpress poster produced by the legacy printer Aardvark Press will also be offered, as well as a full-color exhibition catalogue with an essay by Los Angeles cultural historian Jim Heimann. Programming will include talks and workshops on art, food, design, architecture, and Los Angeles history and culture.
Details will be announced via Gary Baseman’s website and e-newsletter (sign up at garybaseman.com ) and through the artist’s social media channels. Due to the intimate scale of the space, programs may require reservations at eventbrite.com.
EXHIBITION HOURS Wednesday – Sunday: Noon – 7pm (Subject to change)
Regular hours start Saturday, May 9, 2026
Admission: Free and open to the public
Website: garybaseman.com , johniescoffeeshop.com
Instagram: @garybaseman @johniescoffeeshop
