Living in Los Angeles during January of 2025 was a bit like watching the intro of a dystopian video game- except it wasn’t fiction. We had to sit by and watch as tragedy after tragedy unfolded, due to uncontrollable events. The Palisades fire, the Eaton fire, the Hughes fire and more. It is honestly hard to wrap our heads around the sheer amount of devastation that these fires caused. So many families left without homes, businesses without storefronts, artists without studios.
Everyone knew before all of these fires, how culturally rich Los Angeles is and has been. But the talk of the impact of the fires and the thought of the long process of rebuilding brought to mind how much of the fabric of LA culture has truly been woven by the creative people who sought out Southern California. There are arts everywhere- musicians, painters, dancers, murals, shows, concerts. LA has the highest number of working artists in the United States. This is not to take away from small businesses, doctors, lawyers, and people who literally make the world go round and make life doable in this city. This is just to say that there is something special about Los Angeles. Something very unique that in a time of tragedy, the community has really come together to try to preserve.
People are offering studios in their homes for artists who lost studio space, museums are opening their doors to try to keep exhibits happening that lost museum space. Calls are all over social media to bring work for musicians to LA to keep the artists here, the fear being that the rebuilding process will be too long and costly that artists, having nothing left here, will be forced to seek a life elsewhere.
Funding for the arts has always been in need, and for some people, is hard to justify. Still, during every period of tragedy people look to the artists and artists create meaningful commentary on the times. The arts provide a much needed escape for the human mind and soul during bleak periods, to remind us of the beauty that we long to see in life. They provide hope to those who have forgotten to continue hoping. They provide a voice to the voiceless. As an artist myself, I find that while this time has been overwhelming in many ways, I find within myself a desire to create. I find myself wanting to create something for people to connect to. I want to reach out to the hurting souls, and I know many many musicians who have done just that by put on benefit shows for the people affected by these tragedies. Some may not want to create or feel creative. Some lost everything. But by sharing their personal take on an experience shared by many, artists provide a sense of healing and community. In times like these, we need the arts.
Thankfully there are resources available to artists who need help, and there are lists online of places offering shelter, a space, meals, and other offerings. To do our part we will be donating 15% of all of sales to different funds dedicated to helping the arts community sustain and rebuild.
During this period of mourning and recovery, we encourage you to find ways to be present in and support your community. The creative spirit of LA is still present, and we can be stronger because of this if we band together.