Artists Collaborate to Aid Recovery Efforts After LA Wildfires Devastate Creative Community

AP Anthony Obi, known as Fat Tony, never thought the night of 7 January would be his last in his sanctuary. Living in Altadena for a year, he and his neighbours were ready for strong winds and possible power cuts. "I totally expected, you know, maybe my windows are going to get damaged, and I'll come back in like a day or two and just clean it up," said the rapper.

Residents like Obi awoke to news that thousands of homes and entire neighbourhoods were reduced to ashes. The flames devastated large areas of Pacific Palisades and Altadena. These neighbourhoods, although far apart, are home to many creatives including filmmakers, actors, musicians, and artists. "LA is not just rich, famous people who have giant mansions that were destroyed," said visual artist Andrea Bowers.

Impact on LA's Creative Community

Bowers is helping artists recover from the disaster. "So many members of our community lost everything, they lost all their artworks and their archives, that's irreplaceable, a lifetime of labour and a lifetime of research." Figurative artist Salomón Huerta also lost his Altadena home to the Eaton Fire. He fears the art scene in LA might shrink due to the wildfire's impact.

"Before the fire, I was in talks with certain collectors. And then, after the fire, they're not in a good place to talk. I'm hoping that there's support so that the art scene can still thrive. But it's going to be tough," Huerta expressed. Both Obi and Huerta lost personal items, business prospects, homes, vital equipment, and professional archives.

Support Network Emerges

Kathryn Andrews never expected another wildfire experience in her lifetime. The conceptual artist fled her Pacific Palisades neighbourhood as smoke approached. This was her second escape from a wildfire in four years. She had previously lost her Juniper Hills property to the 2020 Bobcat fire.

"I've already experienced one home being burned. I think you have a different focus after that," Andrews reflected. She co-founded Grief and Hope with gallery directors and artists like Bowers and Ariel Pittman. Their aim is to support creatives financially on their long recovery journey.

Grief and Hope's Mission

"Our primary goal is getting people triage money for just whatever the most emergent need is," said Pittman. The fundraising began with a Go Fund Me campaign seeking $500,000. They have now raised over $940,000 towards their $1 million target through non-profit art space The Brick.

Grief and Hope received more than 450 inquiries by Tuesday. Pittman stated funds will be evenly distributed among applicants. Although the deadline for artists' needs survey submissions has passed, fundraising will continue until mid-March.

Volunteers Offer Support

Grief and Hope has five volunteer groups providing peer-to-peer support for medical needs, safety issues, renters' concerns, and data collection to better serve their community. "These are people who already have made very long term commitments in their work," said Pittman.

The organisation aims to create affordable studio spaces and housing for artists throughout the city as part of building a sustainable future for creatives.

Artists Face Long Recovery

Photographer Joy Wong lost her home of eight years along with Altadena's beauty she cherished as "a pocket of heaven." "I didn't want to leave," said Wong who evacuated safely with her family. Many like Obi, Wong, and Huerta have started GoFundMe accounts for assistance.

Initiatives across Southern California offer help with clothing donations, art supplies, professional equipment for creatives and more. "I'm applying to everything," said Obi who needs new instruments and recording gear.

Rebuilding LA's Art Scene

Superchief Gallery co-founder Bill Dunleavy sees this as an opportunity to rebuild necessary infrastructure for LA's arts scene. "Quite a lot was lost... it's going to affect rent prices... art markets," he noted.

Dunleavy praised people's compassion during this time: "I hope that continues into the coming years." Creative director Celina Rodriguez hopes freelance artists continue working in LA despite losing locations like Malibu or Topanga due to wildfires.

"Having lost so many locations... we will have to absolutely come together," Rodriguez said about continuing productions in Los Angeles.

Community Efforts Continue

Dunleavy and Rodriguez turned their Downtown LA gallery into a donation centre within 48 hours with over 150 volunteers helping displaced families meet daily needs. Dunleavy feels encouraged by this effort: "All of our wheels are turning now that we've seen the power that just self-organising can have."