From Fair Visitor to Gallery Founder: How The Other Art Fair Helped Shape K&K Gallery

When Krista Moase and her husband Kevin moved to Los Angeles in early 2025, opening a gallery wasn’t just a long-term dream, it was already in motion. Within days of arriving, they had secured the space that would become K&K Gallery in Culver City and began transforming it into a home for emerging and established contemporary artists. As they built the gallery, Krista attended The Other Art Fair Los Angeles to connect with artists, explore the local art scene, and begin shaping the gallery’s inaugural program. 

Today, K&K Gallery (8638 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232) represents a growing roster of artists and continues to champion meaningful connections between artists and collectors. Having previously lived in Atlanta, Krista had heard of The Other Art Fair but never had the opportunity to attend before relocating to Los Angeles. Today, with The Other Art Fair launching in Atlanta this fall, her experience feels especially full circle. We spoke with Krista about discovering artists through The Other Art Fair, opening a gallery in a new city, and the relationships that have helped shape K&K Gallery’s journey. Follow along at @kkgalleryla and visit kk-gallery.com to learn more.

Building a Diverse and Distinctive Gallery

As K&K Gallery took shape, Krista approached artist selection with a clear philosophy. Rather than focusing heavily on one style or medium, she wanted to create a roster that showcased a wide range of artistic voices.

“I’m looking for artists that have unique voices and are strong in their style,” she explains. “I try to have a wide variety of styles, subject matter, and mediums rather than going too deep into one genre.”

For Krista, the connection is often instinctive.

“The art and the artist just have to resonate with me.”

With exhibitions planned nearly a year in advance, she is always considering how new artists might fit into future programming. Sometimes an artist is the perfect fit for a specific exhibition and joins as a guest artist. Other times, the relationship develops into an ongoing gallery representation.

Equally important is ensuring that each artist has space to thrive.

“I find it important to protect your artists by allowing each of them to be the master of their niche within the gallery rather than competing too directly against each other.”

Finding Artists with Strong Voices

Several artists Krista first encountered at The Other Art Fair have since become part of K&K Gallery’s community. While their work varies significantly in style and medium, she sees a common thread connecting each of them.

“Each artist I’ve found at The Other Art Fair uses unique materials and has a strong voice that carries through their work,” she says.

But beyond the artwork itself, it’s often the people behind the work who leave the strongest impression.

“A common thread between them all is that they’re wonderful, creative humans who are passionate about their art. When someone truly believes in their work, it shines through.”

A Shared Belief: Art Is for Everyone

As Krista developed the mission and identity of K&K Gallery, one guiding principle remained constant: art should feel accessible.

“When I was building the brand and mission for K&K, I always wanted the focus to be on the idea that art is for everyone.“

For her, collecting art should be approachable, authentic, and enjoyable rather than intimidating. This philosophy is one reason she feels such a strong connection to The Other Art Fair.

“The Other Art Fair seems to share this sentiment,” she says. “Unpretentious yet fantastic art.”

It’s a perspective that has helped shape not only the gallery’s identity but also the artists and community it continues to cultivate.

Advice for Artists Looking to Connect with Galleries

For artists hoping to make a lasting impression on gallery owners, curators, and art professionals at fairs like The Other Art Fair, Krista emphasizes one thing above all else: presentation matters.

“Spend time on your booth,” she advises. “Make it striking and interesting, but not too crowded.”

She also recommends making it easy for visitors to stay connected after the fair.

“Make sure you have cards, Instagram, email, everything easily accessible.”

And when conversations do happen, authenticity goes a long way.

“Be confident in your work and be prepared to talk about it authentically.”

In fact, some of the strongest connections begin even when a conversation doesn’t happen right away.

“For most artists, I took photos of their booths and collected cards to look back at later, even if I didn’t get a chance to actually talk to them at the fair.”

For Krista, The Other Art Fair Los Angeles became much more than a weekend event. It helped introduce her to artists, reinforced the values she wanted K&K Gallery to embody, and provided inspiration during the earliest days of building a new creative space.

Today, she continues to attend The Other Art Fair, supporting artists and enjoying the vibrant creative community it brings together.