California Art Club launches Altadena revival art project

By AI, Created 5:40 AM UTC, May 22, 2026, /AGP/ – The California Art Club is starting a year-long effort to document Altadena’s recovery after the Eaton Fire with new paintings and future exhibitions. More than 50 artists will begin the project Saturday with an Altadena Revival Paint-Out and community kickoff in the fire-affected town.

Why it matters: - The California Art Club is using art to create a visual record of Altadena’s rebuilding after the Eaton Fire destroyed homes, studios and artwork in January 2025. - The project aims to capture both the physical recovery and the emotional life of a community still dealing with loss. - The resulting body of work is expected to become part of future exhibitions.

What happened: - The California Art Club is launching a year-long initiative to document Altadena’s revival through new paintings. - More than 50 artists will take part in an Altadena Revival Paint-Out on Saturday, May 23. - The day starts with a 10:30 a.m. kickoff meeting at Fair Oaks Burger in Altadena. - Artists will meet with community members before painting on location throughout the area.

The details: - The project will focus on three themes: Natural Beauty; Architecture & Rebuilding; and Town Center & Community Life. - Artists will paint the San Gabriel foothills, local neighborhoods and other vantage points tied to Altadena’s recovery. - The California Art Club said the effort will document seasonal change and the evolving spirit of the community over time. - Tim Solliday, a CAC artist who lost his home, studio and artwork in the fire, is scheduled to speak and plans to rebuild. - Peter Adams, CAC President Emeritus, will also speak; Adams has painted throughout the San Gabriel Mountains for nearly five decades. - Michelle Zack, a fire survivor and author of Altadena: Between Wilderness and City, will talk about painting locations. - The artists will continue documenting Altadena on their own after Saturday’s event.

Between the lines: - The project is unusually personal for the California Art Club because its headquarters is in nearby Pasadena and some members live in the fire-affected area. - The initiative combines documentation with preservation, turning the rebuilding process into a subject for exhibition and historical record. - The focus on direct observation suggests the club wants the work to reflect both place and recovery, not just disaster.

What’s next: - Artists will keep returning to Altadena to expand the documentation project over the next year. - The California Art Club plans to curate the completed works for special exhibitions at the end of the project. - The club’s website is more information. - The club also shared social media links at Instagram and Facebook.