The California Art Club (CAC), which has documented California\u2019s history through fine art for nearly 120 years, is launching a year-long initiative to create an extensive body of new paintings chronicling Altadena\u2019s rebuilding following the devastating Eaton Fire of January 2025.<\/p>\n
The ambitious effort began Saturday, May 23, with the \u201cAltadena Revival Paint-Out,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s history, character and resilience.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u201cBecause 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,\u201d said Elaine Adams, executive director and CEO of the art organization. \u201cThrough painting and drawing directly from life, we hope to document Altadena \u2014 its landscape, its people and its remarkable resilience \u2014 while creating a visual record of a community rebuilding after profound loss.<\/p>\n
Following Saturday\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
At the conclusion of this artistic documentation project, the organization plans to curate the resulting artworks for special exhibitions.<\/p>\n