The California Art Club (CAC), which has documented California’s history through fine art for nearly 120 years, is launching a year-long initiative to create an extensive body of new paintings chronicling Altadena’s rebuilding following the devastating Eaton Fire of January 2025.
The ambitious effort began Saturday, May 23, with the “Altadena Revival Paint-Out,” during which more than 50 artists gathered to paint on location throughout the community, capturing both the natural beauty of the San Gabriel foothills and the resolve of a town in recovery.
The day began with a kick-off meeting at Fair Oaks Burger in Altadena, where artists met with community members and hear firsthand stories about Altadena’s history, character and resilience.
Among those scheduled to speak to artists are Tim Solliday, a CAC artist who lost his home, studio and artwork and plans to rebuild; Peter Adams, CAC President Emeritus and a renowned representational artist who has painted throughout the San Gabriel Mountains for nearly five decades; and Michelle Zack, fire survivor and author of Altadena: Between Wilderness and City, who will talk about painting locations.
“Because the California Art Club is headquartered nearby in Pasadena, and a number of our artists call the fire-affected area home, this initiative is deeply personal to us,” said Elaine Adams, executive director and CEO of the art organization. “Through painting and drawing directly from life, we hope to document Altadena — its landscape, its people and its remarkable resilience — while creating a visual record of a community rebuilding after profound loss.
Following Saturday’s painting event, artists will return to the area on their own to continue the documentation process. Their efforts will focus on creating works that address three primary themes: Natural Beauty; Architecture & Rebuilding; and Town Center & Community Life.
At the conclusion of this artistic documentation project, the organization plans to curate the resulting artworks for special exhibitions.
Founded in 1909, the California Art Club is one of the nation’s oldest and largest organizations dedicated to preserving and promoting traditional fine art. For more information, visit californiaartclub.org.