Last weekend in Los Angeles, Whitewall was invited to the iconic Sheats Goldstein Estate by Jason Swwartz for an LA Art Week Artist and Friends Picnic. Nestled in a lush cliffside within the historic Beverly Crest neighborhood, the sweeping, cavernous home designed by American architect John Lautner in the early 1960s—and brought to new life by current owner James Goldstein over the last two decades—is truly a sight to behold.
Host Jason Swartz, the tech- and media-savvy founder of Alliance Talent, as well as visionary art collector, unveiled a Sunday afternoon soirée brimming with LA art glitterati including artists Lauren Quin, Katherina Olschbaur, donors of The Hammer Museum and MOCA, chief curator Dennis Carr of The Huntington Library, along superstar art patrons Sam Schwartz, MOCA Board Chair, Maria Seferian, Michelle and Jason Rubell, among others.
Anastasiia Vasyk with Jason Swartz, photo by Kyle Goldberg, courtesy of Swartz.
Celebrating Frieze Week with a Picnic at Sheats Goldstein Estate
Quintessential LA with a mix of greenery, slick concrete, steel, and floor-to-ceiling windows, the Sheats Goldstein Estate is a striking example of organic architecture, in tune with its verdant surroundings and boasting cinematic views of the city below.
Tali Lennox, George Rouy, Ben Lee, and Nicolette Mishkan, photo by Kyle Goldberg, courtesy of Jason Swartz.
Made iconic as the setting for films such as The Big Lebowski (1998) and Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle (2003), the mesmeric abode and estate, is a promised gift to LACMA alongside an art collection and 1961 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud which sits stunningly on the property.
François Ghebaly and friends, photo by Kyle Goldberg, courtesy of Jason Swartz.
VIP attendees such as artists Alex Gardner, George Rouy, Aaron Garber-Maikovska, Tali Lennox, Emma Stern, Amanda Wall, and Hannah Lupton Reinhard entered through the home’s glowing, bespoke nightclub—Club James—gathering around the serene pool and adjoining bar for fruit-infused cocktails and elevated barbecue fare. An infinity tennis court perched at the sanctuary’s highest point beckoned guests like gallerist Francois Ghebaly for singular, open-air sport and refreshment.
Jason Swartz Brings Together Contemporary Art’s Emerging Luminaries and Patrons
Building on his innate sense of kinship with artists, Swartz has established meaningful friendships with the contemporary art community in Los Angeles, offering sincere mentorship. Swartz’s ever-growing personal collection includes works by artists Christopher Wool, Cecily Brown, Vaughn Spann, Michaela Yearwood-Dan, Anna Park, and many more. His history of donating work by the likes of Tschabalala Self to MOCA, Los Angeles, during his time on MOCA’s Acquisition Committee, was followed by generous donations to The Hammer Museum, the Perez Art Museum Miami, and many more.
Dee & Gianna Kerrison, photo by Kyle Goldberg, courtesy of Jason Swartz.
At the picnic, collectors Dee Kerrison, The Hammer Board of Advisors member, and Grazka Taylor, Acquisitions Committee member of MOCA, alongside gallerist Bill Powers of Half Gallery, Olivier Babin of Clearing, Sascha Welchering of Max Hetzler, Ben Lee Ritchie Handler of Nicodim, and LA newcomer Michael Nevin of The Journal Gallery relaxed in supreme style, moving to divine beats and raising a bubbly toast to a transcendent week of art, culture, and community at the center of this week’s activities.
Katherina Olschbaur and friend, photo by Kyle Goldberg, courtesy of Jason Swartz.
Dennis Carr with Jason Swartz, photo by Kyle Goldberg, courtesy of Swartz.
