Opening under new ownership at the Los Angeles Convention Center's South Hall, the LA Art Show's massive and diverse selection of contemporary, modern, historic and traditional fine art drew big crowds from Jan. 23 to 27.

The opening night was attended by 6,000 on Wed., including a host of celebrities from James Franco to Mena Suvari to Cheech Marin.

Among the red dots indicating sales was "Jewelled Hills" by Joseph Kleitsch, an early 20th century California Impressionist, priced at $375,000 from George Stern Fine Arts of West Hollywood.

Prices ranged from a few thousand dollars to $1,350,000 for "What Have We Done to Angels," an oil by Nelson Shanks.

Similar to previous years, the show was divided into four sections. There is a fine print fair and vintage poster section. Traditional and historic art occupied one carpeted wing.

Modern and contemporary art was displayed against a white backdrop and concrete floors. Here, Shepard Fairey debuted prints speckled with diamond dust at Paul Stolper Gallery.

Special exhibitions included LA dealer Jack Rutberg's "Letters From Los Angeles: Text in Southern California Art," highlighting more than thirty LA-based artists who incorporate elements of words and letters in their work.

Marketing and advertising were increased by the new owners, Palm Beach Show Group, which purchased the show last year from the Fine Art Dealers Association. Manager Kim Martindale remains a minority partner.

Palm Beach Show Group's president Scott Diament told the Los Angeles Times that his company bought L.A. Art Show for a seven-figure sum because "it has the bones of a world-class event. L.A. is one of the best art markets on the planet, and my plan is to put it on people's calendars worldwide, like Art Basel. It may take me 10 years, but one day people will talk about this show as a must-attend event."