Getty College Night (in person)
2026-04-13 17:30 - 21:30 (America/Tijuana) | The Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA, 90049, United States
More info: https://www.getty.edu/calendar/college-night-2026/
and https://artandolfaction.com/collaborations/the-getty-center-college-night/
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The IAO has teamed up with The Getty to present four scent interpretations of the museum’s extensive collection.
College Night returns to the Getty Center. Join us for our annual after-hours celebration exclusively for college students—featuring art, food, music, behind-the-scenes experiences, artmaking, and more. All for free!

IAO Library Smelling Session: Perfume Box Sets (in person)
2026-04-12 15:00 - 17:00 | The Institute for Art and Olfaction, 932 Chung King Rd, Los Angeles, CA, 90012, United States
Sign up: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/iao-library-smelling-session-perfume-box-sets-in-person-tickets-1984730815296
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The library at the Institute for Art and Olfaction contains half a dozen perfume box sets: collections of compounded scents organized around a theme. Examples include “A World Tour Through Scent”, a combination book/perfume set that features the work of 12 perfumers of different nationalities; “The Art of Scent, 1889-2012”, a catalogue and perfume kit that documented an exhibition on scent curated by Chandler Burr at the Museum of Art and Design in New York; “Nose Music”, a kit that combines scents with music that was a collaboration between the Institute for Art and Olfaction, bighouse, and Dublab; and Visionaire #42 Scent, the cutting edge fashion periodical that devotes each issue to a special theme, in this case combining avant garde fashion imagery with 21 experimental perfumes by some of the most innovative perfumers working today.
Participants will get to smell as many of the box sets as time allows, in a group setting. Our discussion will focus on the impressions of the perfumes and their concordance with their accompanying images and texts. This smelling session will be a special opportunity to smell scent box sets from our library that we otherwise do not allow everyday access to. Please note that we will be smelling new scents from the box sets rather than repeating previous scents from earlier sessions.

Open Purchasing Hours
2026-04-11 13:00 - 16:00 | The Institute for Art and Olfaction, 932 Chung King Rd, Los Angeles, CA, 90012, United States
RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/open-purchasing-hours-tickets-1986038940935?aff=oddtdtcreator
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The public is invited to peruse our Student Organ and purchase small vials of aromamaterials. Our offerings also include a curated selection of books, magazines, and fragrance wheels.
For ease, please check out our online Inventory to see what will be on offer; you can assemble your shopping lists ahead of time!* This is a convenient time to purchase materials for classes that have Materials Lists, as well expand your personal collection of scents for your own creative endeavors.
Our pricing is as follows:
• 5/8 Dram Vials for $4.00 (Refills for $2.00)
• 1 Dram Vials for $6.00 (Refills for $3.00)
The library will be open for enjoyment as well. Staff will be present to assist with the sales but cannot provide consultation or education. RSVP is appreciated, but walk-ins are welcome!
*Our inventory can be seen at the following spreadsheet, under the tab “Student Organ”: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1E6RW6AYBrwL20Rd4FKbtdg-LrNvN07KS5wFP1L1oR_8/edit?gid=1862841218#gid=1862841218

Scent in Culture: Power @ PRS Library (in person)
2026-04-04 18:00 - 20:00 | Philosophical Research Society, 3910 Los Feliz Blvd, Los Angeles, 90027, United States
Sign up: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/scent-in-culture-a-3-part-lecture-series-with-saskia-wilson-brown-tickets-1980281597566?utm_experiment=test_share_listing&aff=ebdsshios
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This is an external event managed and produced by Philosophical Research Society.
Saskia Wilson-Brown presents a three part lecture series at the Philosophical Research Society Library, demonstrating the impact of perfumery on human creative and cultural expression, and drawing from her research into global historical scent practices as well as from esoteric teachings, metaphysical texts, and occult traditions represented in the PRS collections. The series reflects ongoing inquiries within the library’s holdings into ritual, embodiment, desire, symbolism, and the unseen forces that shape human experience. This research forms the basis of her upcoming book The Cultures of Perfume (D.A.P., Autumn 2026).
Presenting richly textured anecdotes interwoven with historical research, these talks will further root the topic in both contemporary and historic olfactory culture through direct experience of aromatic materials and perfumes. The lectures will last approximately 45 minutes and will be followed by ample time for questions, discussion, smelling, and story sharing.
Image: Réception du Grand Condé à Versailles, Jean-Léon Gérôme (1878)

Introduction to Perfume Blending: Freestyle (in person)
2026-04-01 17:30 - 20:00 | The Institute for Art and Olfaction, 932 Chung King Rd, Los Angeles, CA, 90012, United States
Sign up: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/introduction-to-perfume-blending-freestyle-in-person-tickets-1985029766467
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Join us for Introduction to Blending, a class for beginners to perfumery that is focused on learning how to blend with aromatic materials, and how to create (and balance) a formula. Perfume-lovers and burgeoning olfactory artists have the opportunity to jump right into making their scent dreams a reality, with access to the hundreds of aromatic materials in the IAO lab space.
The class will begin with a quick primer to the world of aromatic materials: synthetics vs. naturals, top/middle/base notes, and dilutions. Participants will be guided through the process of setting up a workstation and how to write a perfume formula, with proportions and balance in mind.
The second portion of the class will be the open exploration of the IAO Organ by all participants. After making individual selections, we will get to blending! With Julianne Lee guiding the class, each participant will learn to make bold changes, subtle refinements, and expand their final formula into a small spray vial to take home.

Opening: Praying to the Gods
2026-03-28 18:00 - 20:00 | The Institute for Art and Olfaction, 932 Chung King Rd, Los Angeles, CA, 90012, United States
Learn more: https://artandolfaction.com/exhibitions/praying-to-the-gods/
RSVP to opening: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/opening-reception-praying-to-the-gods-by-persephenie-tickets-1983323417732?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true
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The Institute for Art and Olfaction is pleased to welcome Los Angeles-based artist and perfumer Persephenie, in her second solo exhibition at IAO Gallery.
In Praying to the Gods, artist Persephenie brings together plants, scent, incense, and self-portraiture to explore reverence through the body. The work treats plants and lived experience as something alive, encountered through smell, awareness, and closeness.
With elements placed low to the ground and along the walls, viewers must lower themselves to engage. Kneeling, looking, and smelling become acts of attention and vulnerability, making reverence something embodied rather than abstract.
Opening: Saturday March 28, 2026
On View: March 28 – April 24, 2026

Tracing Perfume: Amber & Balsamic, Part 2 (in person)
2026-03-24 17:00 - 18:30 | The Institute for Art and Olfaction, 932 Chung King Rd, Los Angeles, CA, 90012, United States
Sign up: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tracing-perfume-amber-balsamic-part-2-in-person-tickets-1977674929953?aff=oddtdtcreator
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Dana El Masri explores the history of fine fragrance through a series of classes that cover the genealogy of scent. How did aromatic materials influence perfumery? How did perfumers draw from the same source to produce such diverse expressions? Each class in this series explores the most important perfumes in 20th and 21st perfumery from the perspective of the materials that inform them.
In this class, Dana covers perfumes highlighting ambery and balsamic materials, focusing on beeswax, cistus-labdanum, and vanilla.. She will explore the material provenance, aromatic aspects, and notable perfumes that make use of these ambery and balsamic notes in various ways. Then, as a group, the class will smell and discuss a series of notes and perfumes that elucidate the category.

Topics covered:
History and cultural impact of perfume materials
Technical information about perfume materials
Overview of these materials in classic, contemporary, mass market, and niche perfumes
Image credit: Resin image by Oleksandr Skochko on Unsplash

Open Purchasing Hours
2026-03-21 13:00 - 16:00 | The Institute for Art and Olfaction, 932 Chung King Rd, Los Angeles, CA, 90012, United States
The public is invited to peruse our Student Organ and purchase small vials of aromamaterials. Our offerings also include a curated selection of books, magazines, and fragrance wheels.
For ease, please check out our online Inventory to see what will be on offer; you can assemble your shopping lists ahead of time!* This is a convenient time to purchase materials for classes that have Materials Lists, as well expand your personal collection of scents for your own creative endeavors.
Our pricing is as follows:
• 5/8 Dram Vials for $4.00 (Refills for $2.00)
• 1 Dram Vials for $6.00 (Refills for $3.00)
The library will be open for enjoyment as well. Staff will be present to assist with the sales but cannot provide consultation or education. RSVP is appreciated, but walk-ins are welcome!
*Our inventory can be seen at the following spreadsheet, under the tab “Student Organ”: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1E6RW6AYBrwL20Rd4FKbtdg-LrNvN07KS5wFP1L1oR_8/edit?gid=1862841218#gid=1862841218

Introduction to Perfume Blending: Freestyle (in person)
2026-03-17 17:30 - 20:00 | The Institute for Art and Olfaction, 932 Chung King Rd, Los Angeles, CA, 90012, United States
Sign up: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/introduction-to-perfume-blending-freestyle-in-person-tickets-1984092236289?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true
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Join us for Introduction to Blending, a class for beginners to perfumery that is focused on learning how to blend with aromatic materials, and how to create (and balance) a formula. Perfume-lovers and burgeoning olfactory artists have the opportunity to jump right into making their scent dreams a reality, with access to the hundreds of aromatic materials in the IAO lab space.
The class will begin with a quick primer to the world of aromatic materials: synthetics vs. naturals, top/middle/base notes, and dilutions. Participants will be guided through the process of setting up a workstation and how to write a perfume formula, with proportions and balance in mind.
The second portion of the class will be the open exploration of the IAO Organ by all participants. After making individual selections, we will get to blending! With Julianne Lee guiding the class, each participant will learn to make bold changes, subtle refinements, and expand their final formula into a small spray vial to take home.

Experimental Scent Summit: Talk proposals due
2026-03-15 23:50 - 23:59 | The Institute for Art and Olfaction, 932 Chung King Rd, Los Angeles, CA, 90012, United States
Submit your talk proposal: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScFYgYJ7JlJQpeDQRLcbye4NywK8b4KKj85IIu5e66Q3KJeKw/viewform
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The Experimental Scent Summit is an ongoing program produced by the Institute for Art and Olfaction (Los Angeles) and Smell Lab (Berlin). A non-for-profit venture, ESS is designed to build community and learning in creative practices with scent. Through informal talks, performative presentations, and group chats, practitioners can share experimental work in an open and unrestrained environment that facilitates collaboration and inquiry.
2026 EDITION

ESS 2026, our 7th edition, will take place between 10am and 6pm on June 9, 2026 at ImpactHUB in central Athens, Greece (Karaiskaki 28, Athens, Greece 10554). For this edition, we are curating an intimate series of conversations, talks, and art performances that present new research and practices, and that prioritize audience engagement.
DUE DATES
Submissions for ESS are due by March 15, by 11:59pm Pacific Time (GMT-8).
We will inform speakers of their status by the end of the day Pacific Time on March 31, 2026.
SPEAKING FORMAT
We are interested in the following types of presentations:
– Research presentations on new findings in the fields of olfaction, history, culture, and other related academic disciplines.
– An experimental performative approach that engages the audience
– Conversations (between two people)
– Panel discussions (up to four people)
What we are not looking for:
– Promotional presentations of self or company

Introduction to Perfume Blending: Freestyle (in person)
2026-03-10 17:30 - 20:00 | The Institute for Art and Olfaction, 932 Chung King Rd, Los Angeles, CA, 90012, United States
Sign up: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/introduction-to-perfume-blending-freestyle-in-person-tickets-1984092126962?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true
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Join us for Introduction to Blending, a class for beginners to perfumery that is focused on learning how to blend with aromatic materials, and how to create (and balance) a formula. Perfume-lovers and burgeoning olfactory artists have the opportunity to jump right into making their scent dreams a reality, with access to the hundreds of aromatic materials in the IAO lab space.
The class will begin with a quick primer to the world of aromatic materials: synthetics vs. naturals, top/middle/base notes, and dilutions. Participants will be guided through the process of setting up a workstation and how to write a perfume formula, with proportions and balance in mind.
The second portion of the class will be the open exploration of the IAO Organ by all participants. After making individual selections, we will get to blending! With Julianne Lee guiding the class, each participant will learn to make bold changes, subtle refinements, and expand their final formula into a small spray vial to take home.

5-Day Perfumery Intensive in Athens Greece (in person)
2026-03-02 10:00 - 2026-03-06 18:00 | Baruti Athens, Karori 13, Athens, 10551, Greece
Learn more: https://docs.google.com/document/d/18clnW08dH-RVpGle3M2cCAL43fLHrMHjRJgVSzi6XhQ/edit?usp=sharing
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The Institute for Art and Olfaction and perfumer Spyros Drosopoulos team up to offer a five day in person intensive in Athens, Greece, in Baruti’s fully stocked laboratory. This introduction to perfumery will cover the scientific foundation of the practice, perfume formulation, and – of course – all the materials and tips an independent perfumer could ask for.
Email us to be placed on the waiting list: hello@artandolfaction.com

Photo credit: Monastiraki Square and Acropolis in Athens by dronepicr (cc-Attribution 2.0 Generic)

Tracing Perfume: Amber & Balsamic, Part 1 (in person)
2026-02-17 17:00 - 18:30 | The Institute for Art and Olfaction, 932 Chung King Rd, Los Angeles, CA, 90012, United States
Sign up: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tracing-perfume-amber-balsamic-part-1-in-person-tickets-1977674717317?aff=oddtdtcreator
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Dana El Masri explores the history of fine fragrance through a series of classes that cover the genealogy of scent. How did aromatic materials influence perfumery? How did perfumers draw from the same source to produce such diverse expressions? Each class in this series explores the most important perfumes in 20th and 21st perfumery from the perspective of the materials that inform them.
In this class, Dana covers perfumes highlighting ambery and balsamic materials, focusing on benzoin, frankincense, myrrh, peru balsam, and styrax. She will explore the material provenance, aromatic aspects, and notable perfumes that make use of these ambery and balsamic notes in various ways. Then, as a group, the class will smell and discuss a series of notes and perfumes that elucidate the category.

Topics covered:
History and cultural impact of perfume materials
Technical information about perfume materials
Overview of these materials in classic, contemporary, mass market, and niche perfumes
Image credit: Resin image by Mike B on Unsplash

Scent in Culture: Seduction @ PRS Library (in person)
2026-02-14 14:00 - 16:00 | Philosophical Research Society, 3910 Los Feliz Blvd, Los Angeles, 90027, United States
Sign up: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/scent-in-culture-a-3-part-lecture-series-with-saskia-wilson-brown-tickets-1980281597566?utm_experiment=test_share_listing&aff=ebdsshios
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This is an external event managed and produced by Philosophical Research Society.
Saskia Wilson-Brown presents a three part lecture series at the Philosophical Research Society Library, demonstrating the impact of perfumery on human creative and cultural expression, and drawing from her research into global historical scent practices as well as from esoteric teachings, metaphysical texts, and occult traditions represented in the PRS collections. The series reflects ongoing inquiries within the library’s holdings into ritual, embodiment, desire, symbolism, and the unseen forces that shape human experience. This research forms the basis of her upcoming book The Cultures of Perfume (D.A.P., Autumn 2026).
Presenting richly textured anecdotes interwoven with historical research, these talks will further root the topic in both contemporary and historic olfactory culture through direct experience of aromatic materials and perfumes. The lectures will last approximately 45 minutes and will be followed by ample time for questions, discussion, smelling, and story sharing.
Image: Detail from Coat of Arms with a Skull, Albrecht Dürer (1503)

Love Smells: Perfume-Making Workshop (in person)
2026-02-12 17:30 - 20:00 | The Institute for Art and Olfaction, 932 Chung King Rd, Los Angeles, CA, 90012, United States
Sign up: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/love-smells-perfume-making-workshop-with-minetta-rogers-in-person-tickets-1979552788679?aff=oddtdtcreator&lid=ipmjzd9i2ysd

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Join Minetta Rogers for a guided blending session celebrating the season of love — and, of course, perfume-making! For beginners, but all levels welcome.
For the first portion of this smelling and blending session, we will learn about some smells in the historical palettes of love. Scent strips will be handed out by your friendly Institute for Art and Olfaction team, and we will spend time smelling and discussing our impressions of aromatic materials associated with the season.
We will start the second portion of the session by briefly discussing and practicing blending scent. Each student will have the opportunity to blend with aromatic materials from the session’s selected palette. We will spend the rest of the session experimenting with our own short formulas.
Each attendee goes home with a small trial of their aromatic blend.
Topics covered:
– introduction to aromatic materials and scent evaluation
– introduction to blending and composing scent
– introduction to expanding formulas
Take-Aways: A spray vial of chosen scent blend

Safety Note: Some aromatic materials can have side effects when applied to skin. The information and teaching materials presented in our classes are for educational purposes only. These are not intended for commercial use and do not necessarily reflect commercial best practices or industry safety standards. For more information about commercial best practices and safety, consult the relevant authorities in your country of residence.

Open Session for Returning Students (in person)
2026-02-04 17:30 - 19:30 | The Institute for Art and Olfaction, 932 Chung King Rd, Los Angeles, CA, 90012, United States
Sign up: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/open-sessions-returning-students-only-february-tickets-1977675824629?aff=oddtdtcreator
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Aromatic materials are not included. Bring your own materials or purchase small quantities from us.
Our open sessions for returning students only are designed as an informal, convivial space in which to co-work with other perfumers. Relaxed and self-directed (don’t worry, we’re here to help), these sessions are a great chance to refine a formula, work out an idea or just hang out with like-minded colleagues. Let’s learn from each other, and make new friends.
Relaxed and self-directed, these informal sessions are a great chance to refine your blending techniques in the presence of other scent enthusiasts and #friendswithpipettes. Open Sessions are the IAO’s longest running program. These Open Sessions for Returning Students Only are designed precisely for newcomers who have already attended one Open Session for First Timers, intermediate perfumers who want to explore new materials, or advanced perfumers who want to co-work with a diverse and creative community.
As a returning student, you will be able to independently tinker with materials of your choice in a casual, social setting.We have everything you need: aromatic materials (natural, synthetic, and some accords), beakers and droppers, scent strips and bottles… All you need to bring is a notebook, and and open mind. Down the rabbit hole you go!
