The devastating wildfires ravaging Los Angeles have left a trail of destruction across the city, significantly impacting the art community. The fires, exacerbated by hurricane-speed winds and months of drought, have destroyed thousands of homes, claimed at least 24 lives, and caused irreparable damage to artistic spaces. Art galleries, studios, and even museums have been consumed by the flames, leaving artists, gallerists, and other art professionals facing immense loss.

The Getty Villa, a significant cultural institution, was among the sites threatened by the wildfires. Although parts of its grounds were burned, the museum itself survived, with the Getty Center eventually being declared "safe and stable" after an evacuation zone near the facility was altered on January 12. In the wake of the fires, numerous fundraisers have been launched to support recovery efforts for those affected, particularly in the art community.

Among the artists who have experienced personal devastation is Kathryn Andrews, whose home in Pacific Palisades was destroyed by the flames. Andrews has been gathering the names of other artists and art professionals whose homes were also lost in the fire. This includes Alec Egan, whose home, studio, and years of work for his upcoming solo exhibition at the Anat Ebgi Gallery were burned. Despite the tragic loss, the gallery expressed gratitude for Egan’s safety and is selling posters from his 2022 solo exhibition to raise funds for him.

The fires also wreaked havoc on the Altadena community, particularly affecting the Eliot Arts Magnet Middle School and the Zorthian Ranch artist colony. The ranch, established by sculptor Jirayr Zorthian, was significantly damaged, with artwork, retaining walls, and structures destroyed. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help rebuild the iconic arts site.

Further losses were reported at the homes of artists such as Diana Thater and T. Kelly Mason, whose personal archives and camera equipment were destroyed in the Eaton fire. Other prominent artists, including Camilla Taylor, Kelly Akashi, and Paul McCarthy, lost their homes, studios, and artwork as well. McCarthy was forced to postpone his exhibition at Hauser & Wirth in London, while Akashi’s highly anticipated debut at Lisson Gallery in Los Angeles was impacted. Tragically, one of Akashi's pieces, previously considered to be named "Monument to Loss," was also consumed by the flames.

Thater, who was preparing a work for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art's expansion set to open in 2026, also lost her project in progress. Meanwhile, Gary Indiana's library and archive, which had recently been moved to Altadena to become a core resource for an artist retreat, was destroyed. Indiana’s books, including rare signed editions, were lost a day before they would have been saved had they arrived late.

The fires also affected the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), home to some of NASA's most well-known spacecraft. JPL, which had been collaborating with artists for the Blended Worlds: Experiments in Interplanetary Imagination exhibition, had to evacuate about 1,000 employees. Over 150 of them lost their homes to the fire. A fundraiser has been launched to support JPL and Caltech employees affected by the disaster.

In addition to personal and institutional losses, several historic landmarks were also destroyed, including the Zane Grey Estate in Altadena. Built in 1907, the estate was recognized for its unique architecture and historical significance, and it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

While many galleries remain closed, some, such as Pace and Perrotin, have begun to reopen as of January 11. Hauser & Wirth is set to follow soon. Despite the ongoing devastation, the resilience of the art community shines through as these spaces begin to recover, offering hope for the future.

Sayart / Jason Yim, yimjongho1969@gmail.com