Dominique Clayton is an arts consultant, writer, and gallerist born and raised in Los Angeles. Clayton is the founder of Dominique Gallery, a storefront turned pop-up exhibition and online program which showcases and advises emerging artists with a focus on marginalized artists and artists raising families.
In addition to the gallery, Clayton also serves on the curatorial and programming committee of Destination Crenshaw, a forthcoming outdoor art museum and arts program based in the historic Crenshaw community of Los Angeles. Clayton previously worked as Manager of the Founding Director’s office at The Broad and later as an interim director at Jeffrey Deitch Gallery. Her arts writing has been featured in publications including Cultured Magazine, LALA Magazine, Artsy, Sugarcane Magazine, Blavity, and her own forthcoming Black Arts Diary.
Clayton unveiled works by Adee Roberson on the occasion of Frieze LA, who is also taking part in The Hammer’s riveting Alice Coltrane show in Los Angeles. The gallery’s much-anticipated booth was a true celebration of Black women visionaries. The presentation united Clayton, Karen Galloway, and Storm Ascher, and offered soulful creations by Roberston, Shaniqwa Jarvis, and February James. Further, the show was part of the groundbreaking Frieze Focus section of the fair, curated by the ever-inspiring Essence Harden.
Whitewall had the opportunity to speak to Clayton about her most meaningful and blissful discoveries, surprises, and more at LA Art Week.
Best Events
Courtesy of Black Trustee Alliance.
I was deeply inspired by the Black Trustee Alliance installation and panel discussion at Frieze centering the Altadena community rebuilding efforts. While the LA fires went out a month ago, the effects are long lasting and it’s incredible to see how cultural stewards in the art world are deeply committed to community stewardship as well and we’re all mobilizing through art fundraisers, grants and volunteer efforts to mend LA and restore the spirit of the city.
Best Surprise
Courtesy of Dominique Clayton.
Adee Roberson, “Spring Equinox,” 2024. Courtesy of the artist and Dominique Gallery.
Best surprise was watching my worlds collide—during the fair I saw several of my former employers and coworkers from all parts of my life, (the director of one of my fave LA museums (The Broad) Joanne Heyler who I used to work for and who taught me so much about the art business. Also ran into Nina Shaw and Gordon Bob, some of the best entertainment lawyers in LA who have seen me hustle and follow my passion for art over the years, and perhaps the best moment was reuniting with friends I grew up with in LA. We’re all grown up now with demanding jobs and families and rarely get to see each other so I love that an art fair is our play date and I get to share what I love!!!
Best Moment
Frieze Los Angeles, photo by Casey Kelbaugh, courtesy of Casey Kelbaugh and Frieze.
Standing outside the fair tent and seeing all the people coming in and out set against the beautiful bright coastal sky. LA looks so good on screen, on paper, and in real life. The city that raised me is a work of art itself composed of dark and moody spaces, light and bright spots, and every color of the rainbow!
Best Vibe
Dominique Gallery, Frieze Los Angeles 2025,
Photo by Casey Kelbaugh. Courtesy of Frieze and CKA.
Best vibe is the highlighting of Black artists and communities. LA art week always happens in February which is Black History Month. Black culture has deeply influenced every sector of the arts so I love seeing it take the main stage in the art space. The Frieze Focus section was curated by Essence Harden and included three black gallerists including me and my other LA raised girlies—Storm Ascher and Karen Galloway and we all presented Black women artists. (Adee Roberson, February James, Shaniqwa Jarvis). It was a total vibe to look across the aisle at the fair to familiar faces and truly embody the spirit of collaboration over competition. Also I might argue that we all served some of the best looks during the fair thanks to designers and friends Marissa Wilson and Nancy Stella Soto.
Best Discovery
Tomokazu Matsuyama, “Drift Confidence Rippling,” Courtesy of the artist and Almine Rech.
I didn’t get much time outside of my own fair booth but I was floored by the work of Tomokazu Matsuyama presented by Almine Rech. The whole booth was magical from the walls to the flooring and beautiful framing, and I loved randomly hearing and saying his name around the fair! I enjoy practicing languages and accents, so I’m adding Japanese to my list!
Best Shows
Installation view, “Tau Lewis: Spirit Level,” David Zwirner, Los Angeles, 2025; courtesy of the artist and David Zwirner, Los Angeles.
Obsessed with the Tau Lewis show at David Zwirner, Nate Lewis at Vielmetter, Lindsay Adams at Sean Kelly, and the show I co-organized at Sovern LA, Mapping Resiliency and Care, which also centers Black women and features Tunmi Di Silva, K’era Morgan and Francesca Lallane.
