Put La Galeria Gitana, L’Imagerie Gallery and Hyaena Gallery on your weekend hit list.

The Hyaena Gallery in Burbank

Like a geode, the exteriors of all three of these noteworthy local art galleries may look ordinary, but inside they are filled with colorful, innovative works from some of the best artists in SoCal—as well as some of the most rare collectibles in the world.

For 10 years the surprisingly spacious and eclectic La Galeria Gitana in San Fernando, hidden from the street at 120 North Maclay Avenue, has offered engaging opportunities and educational experiences to enrich and expand artistic life in the Valley. The fine art gallery mounts new exhibits every six to eight weeks. Local artists, including Merrilyn Duzy, Ellen Rundle, Marian Fortunati, Karen Hansen, Ben Levin and Jerry Cowart, are frequent contributors. As part of the gallery’s mission, owner Angela Phillips formed a 501(c) 3 called ARTreach91340, which offers art classes and workshops to Valley residents of all ages.

“Golden Pathway” by Debra Hintz

If classic movies and music are more your speed, check out L’Imagerie Gallery at 10555 Victory Boulevard in North Hollywood. From the outside you might mistake it for a large industrial warehouse. But inside is a wonderland of rare original movie and music posters from all over the world. Owner Debi Jacobson also displays and sells pop surrealistic artwork from art stars like Mark Ryden, Robert Williams, Todd Schorr, Audrey Kawasaki, Amy Sol and Lori Earley. The gallery is open by appointment only.

A rare poster from the expressionistic film, Das Cabinet Des Dr. Caligari (c. 1920), from L’Imagerie Gallery

For fans of the madcap and macabre, there’s Hyaena Gallery at 1928 West Olive Avenue in Burbank. Amidst proprietor Bill Shafer’s full-service florist and gift shop, he showcases lowbrow and underground outsider art, which is often both humorous—and horrifying. Not only does Hyaena represent edgy artists including Gidget Gein, Hollie Stevens and Nicolas Caesar, it also offers original artwork by serial killers Charles Manson, John Wayne Gacy and David Berkowitz. But don’t run the other way. Bill tempers all the freakiness by being one of the friendliest gallery owners you’ll ever meet.