The ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles have inflicted unprecedented damage, claiming over 20 lives and destroying more than 40,000 acres since the first fire ignited on January 7th. As the fires—among them the Eaton and Palisades, now listed as two of the most destructive in California’s history—continue to threaten, the urgency to support the displaced and bereaved grows. This catastrophic event has notably impacted artists and art workers, many of whom face the complete loss of their studios, artwork, and livelihoods.
In response to the crisis, the Los Angeles arts community is rallying together through several fundraisers and initiatives.
Mutual aid programs launched across Los Angeles last week, with programs ranging from emergency artist grants to art supply donations. For more information on fundraising initiatives and supply drop-offs, see Artsy’s full list of resources. Below is an ongoing list of gallery-run initiatives supporting relief efforts. Email additional benefit sales and fundraisers to [email protected] with the subject line “LA wildfire resources.”
- One standout effort is Grief and Hope, organized by Various Small Fires director Ariel Pittman and former David Kordansky Gallery director Julia V. Hendrickson, along with artists Kathryn Andrews, Andrea Bowers, and Olivia Gauthier. The initiative has raised $354,790, nearing its $500,000 goal.
- Saenger Galería is hosting an exclusive sale of prints through SAENGER Editores. The prints are available for $1,000, and all proceeds will be donated to Mark Whalen.
- Anat Ebgi is hosting a poster sale for Alec Egan, who lost his upcoming solo exhibition with the gallery in the fires.
- Charles Moffett will present a limited-edition print by Egan at FOG Design + Art 2025. The 200 editions of Night Setting (2025) will be available online and onsite at the fair, with 100% of the profits going directly to the artist.
- London-based gallery Timothy Taylor is mounting a group exhibition, “California,” featuring six artists connected to the American West Coast. A portion of the sales from the exhibition will be donated to artists who lost their homes and studios in the fire. The gallery announced that the show was “conceived and finalized in 2024, before the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles.”
- Bi-coastal gallery Hashimoto Contemporary is hosting a fundraising raffle to support Los Angeles residents affected by the fire. Over 20 artists have donated works and limited-edition prints for the raffle, culminating in a live drawing on our Instagram on January 16th. Entries can be purchased for $10 until January 15th. All proceeds will be donated to 501(c)3 organizations, including Mutual Aid LA Network, Pasadena Humane Society, and World Central Kitchen, to directly aid those in need.
- Private art broker and advisor John Wolf of John Wolf Art Advisory & Brokerage launched a GoFundMe fundraiser to directly benefit Dowagiac Arts Inc. and the Altadena arts community. This fundraiser will help provide no-cost studio space for artists who lost their spaces during the fires. This fundraiser will culminate in a public exhibition featuring works the artists made during their time.
- Salon 94 Design announced that it will dedicate all the proceeds from the sale of Ruby Neri’s In the field (2020) to the Los Angeles–based artist and her family. The gallery also promoted the artist’s GoFundMe, which was launched to help support the artist’s family after they lost their home in the wildfires.
