Fires across Los Angeles County have left its vibrant creative community grappling with significant losses. The Eaton Fire in Altadena and the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades destroyed neighborhoods, displaced families, and obliterated homes, studios, and decades of personal and artistic history.
Altadena, a Historic Community Devastated
On Tuesday, January 7, Tony Obi, a rapper who performs as Fat Tony, returned to his Altadena home to find Eaton Canyon ablaze. The unincorporated community, historically a haven for Black middle-class families, was severely impacted. Obi lost his home on Poppyfields Drive and all his possessions. “I loved being able to see the mountains from my living room,” he said, mourning the loss of a neighborhood known for its tight-knit community and small businesses.
The fire also destroyed the homes of notable residents, including artists like Christina Quarles, Ross Simonini, and their families. Simonini lost his art studio, archives, and instruments, which had been intended for upcoming gallery shows. “Our whole street is just chimneys,” he recounted.
Quarles, who was in the process of rebuilding a home lost in a previous fire, described the emotional toll on her young daughter, who developed a fever upon learning of the destruction. Despite some art pieces surviving, the loss to Altadena’s artistic community remains profound.
Pacific Palisades Reduced to Ashes
The Palisades Fire consumed much of the Pacific Palisades, destroying 23,700 acres of land. Julie and Wouter van Herwerden, longtime residents, lost their home of 32 years. Julie, an artist who taught local children in her garage, lost not only her creative space but also sentimental items like her wedding dress and family keepsakes. Their daughter, Poppie van Herwerden, emphasized the impact on older residents, many of whom lacked robust insurance policies.
Community Efforts to Rebuild
The fires spurred community-driven recovery initiatives. Kaitlyn Fong and other organizers launched the LA Clothing Drive, delivering custom clothing packages to fire victims based on individual styles. Designer Penelope Gazin, who also lost her home in the Eaton Fire, started distributing $200 gift cards through her company, Fashion Brand Company. The effort has provided over $50,000 in assistance to affected individuals.
Los Angeles museums, including the Getty, LACMA, MOCA, and the Hammer, pooled $12 million to assist artists who lost their homes and studios. Additionally, the Grief and Hope Fund aims to distribute $500,000 to artists impacted by the fires.
Artist Adam Alessi initiated Artist Relief L.A., an effort to supply affected creators with art materials. Donations have been collected and logged in a system allowing recipients to request specific items. Alessi described the irreplaceable loss of studios, which he said represent more than a workspace but an artist’s sanctuary.
A Community in Mourning and Resilience
While Altadena and the Pacific Palisades mourn the destruction, efforts continue to support those affected. Christina Quarles, whose studio survived both fires, expressed mixed feelings about returning to work there, calling it “a graveyard.”
Despite the overwhelming loss, Angelenos are rallying together, determined to support one another and begin the long process of rebuilding.