DevMeet in Los Angeles: Launchpad Recap

A few steps from the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame, deviants gathered for a DeviantMeet at historic EastWest Studios for an evening of inspiration, community, and art appreciation.

Artwork provided by the community was hung on panels for all arriving guests to see while a curated playlist set the vibes for an energetic event. Toward the back walls were snacks and exclusive DeviantArt merch like hats, stickers, and 25th anniversary coloring books.

In the same building where countless records from the last several decades were produced, sparks of creativity were in the air from the start. 

Host @TheLaurenVerse kicked things off with humor and a dab of chaos. CEO Moti Levy (@Wannabby) was unable to attend in person,  but he welcomed guests with a video and kicked off a kindred evening. 

Next, Nicole Keller (@nicolikai) outlined benefits of the Launchpad program, and really underlined DeviantArt as a place where artists can foster community and build a business. 

Then came a deep dive with the artistic duo behind @AZmaybe9, discussing with Lauren about the ways their studio has been able to grow with their newfound Launchpad success. 

Their candid perspective brought humor, honesty, and only a bit of edginess to the room, making one thing clear: growth as an artist is rarely linear, but community, experimentation, and persistence can take you far. 

To close out the speaker portion of the evening, @danlev brought the hands-on magic. His walkthrough of DeviantArt’s sales tools gave attendees actionable ways to think about selling smarter, from walking through the Studio, Analytics, Boosts, and Discounts. At the end, he gave attendees the first sneak peek into Originals, a new seller tool designed to help artists expand how they share and sell their work. 

After the talks, attendees grabbed 25th Birthday coloring books, posed for photos in front of the creepy mannequin lovingly named Mandy by @moonbeam13, and spent time talking shop, sharing art stories, and meeting fellow creators in a comfortable, lively atmosphere. 

@The-SixthLeafClover shared:
“Being able to connect with artists and DA staff and just hanging out in general made this time most memorable!"

While there, @The-SixthLeafClover dazzled onlookers with a live drawing of a current work-in-progress up on a big screen.

Every creator who showed up, shared, or submitted artwork to the #DevMeetLA2026 showcase helped shape the night into an informative, welcoming, and creatively charged experience that left all California Dreamin'. 

The DevMeet wasn't the only devious presence in LA. Some of our very own have been featured on bus stops around town. If you're in the LA area, join the scavenger hunt before April 8th to find them all!

Thanks to everyone who attended or shared their work, and we can't wait to see you at the next one.  In the meantime, if you’re ready to grow your art business where your community already lives, take a look at DeviantArt Launchpad and apply!