A Few Arts and Culture Spaces Affected by the Eaton Fire
A curated selection of spots in need of our support
Before I get going, for the design professionals in the room with us right now, I want to draw some eyes toward a grassroots effort that L.A.–based prop stylist and art director Abby Pendergrast has been spearheading. She’s been connecting directly with a small group of families who’ve lost their homes in the L.A. wildfires and helping them get their new and interim living spaces furnished with goods donated by brands and individuals who have like-new furnishings.
She’s currently looking for additional brands that are willing to donate goods—whether that’s small home decor pieces or large furnishings. If you’re able to help, or simply want more information before proceeding, reply directly to this email and I’ll connect you or reach out to Abby directly at hello@abbypendergrast.com. Find Abby on Instagram here.
Hey everyone!
I have been immensely grateful for the positive response to the L.A. Wildfire GoFundMe Master List I began compiling last week. It grew from 40 links to 1100 while on Substack and now it’s on Google Sheets, still growing. On Sheets it’s organized in ascending order of percentage of goal raised—hopefully more useful than ever. It’s been mentioned in the Associated Press, Hyperallergic, and AD PRO, and many, many Substacks, furthering the reach and hopefully increasing the number of people who are opening their wallets for those in need right now.
Since I’ve been so focused on raising money primarily for those who lost their homes (though “Other structures” are listed in the spreadsheet, they are firmly the minority), I wanted to write a brief post sharing a few arts and culture establishments that are in need right now. I’m keeping this bite-sized intentionally—my aim is to keep this distinctly not overwhelming.
That being said, if you have a specific arts and culture spot that’s been affected that you’ve donated to or have some connection to, please leave a comment with a link to their fundraising campaign or donation page.
I mean, I’m seeing this truly everywhere, but I’m including it in case you missed it in the deluge. The Bunny Museum was truly a one of a kind museum filled to the brim with rabbit–related items. The LA Times called it “the quirkiest museum in LA,” which is saying something for a city that also contains the Museum of Jurassic Technology as just one example.
The Bunny Museum burned to the ground after 27 years of operation and its founders are fundraising with a goal of $1.5 million. I had been planning on going to the Bunny Museum when I was in L.A. last month and then ended up short on time and drove around Bungalow Heaven instead so I was especially bummed about this loss. Donate here.
Rhythms of the Village was a store, but it was also a cultural center with a mission centered on celebrating African heritage. The store hosted drum lessons, African history classes, and bi-annual street festivals. “We were are a pillar here in the community and we did all we could to keep our community united and we will continue to do all we can to keep our community united,” they shared on Instagram in a video on Wednesday, January 15.
Protecting the Black legacy of Altadena is extremely important as the community prepares to rebuild. Its owners are fundraising with a goal of $100,000. Donate here.
PDA was a 35-seat theater in Altadena that gave a variety of performers a space “to explore, swing big, and have complete free license of our (we'll say it) genius,” as they state on their website. I know it as the venue for Jessy Morner-Ritt and Wyatt Fair’s “The Boyfriend and Girlfriend Show.” If you’re a quote unquote alt comedy fan, it’s more than likely that a number of your LA favs have performed here. PDA’s goal is currently set at $50,000. Donate here.
Lastly, check out this GoFundMe for artists and artworkers led by The Brick and this spreadsheet of artists and art spaces affected by the L.A. wildfires.
Love PDA!