Altadena’s Black History Continues to Thrive Months After LA Fires
**Ode to ‘Dena: Black Artistic Legacies of Altadena**
The California African American Museum (CAAM) is currently hosting an evocative exhibition titled *Ode to ‘Dena: Black Artistic Legacies of Altadena*. The exhibition is a tribute to Altadena, a historic bastion for Black middle-class families in Los Angeles, which became home to numerous acclaimed artists and entertainers. The showcase is both a testament to resilience and a homage to the artistic community of Altadena.
Upon entering the south gallery, visitors are greeted by intriguing watercolor paintings by a two-year-old artist, Micah Zuri Davis-O’Connor. These abstract works, full of color and spontaneity, set the tone for an exhibition that celebrates both art and legacy. Altadena’s landscape, once impacted by a devastating fire, serves as an eloquent backdrop to the narratives woven through this exhibit.
Curated by Dominique Clayton, *Ode to ‘Dena* does not shy away from embracing the complexities of its dual themes. In part, it acknowledges the racial and socio-economic challenges overcome by the Altadena community. Simultaneously, it focuses on the richness and diversity of talent still nurtured within its confines. Featuring 25 artists connected to Altadena, the exhibition includes works by artists who lost their homes, studios, or creations in the fire.
Renowned artworks such as John Outterbridge’s poignant assemblage on the civil rights struggle and Marcus Leslie Singleton’s impactful painting *Monk, Closing Act* find their place alongside evocative pieces like a charred quartz sound bowl from artist Grandfather, reflecting the tangible losses endured by the community.
The exhibition bridges generations through collaborations between mothers and daughters, like the mixed-media installation *House of Gris Gris* by Betye and Alison Saar, and showcases the personal stories of artists like Kenturah Davis, who preserved a wooden vessel from a tree at her now non-existent home. This intersection of lineages emphasizes the importance of memory, artistry, and legacy in sustaining cultures and histories.
Through its thoughtful curation and presentation, *Ode to ‘Dena* underscores the significance of art as an expressive and documentary tool—a means to preserve lives, narratives, and communities beyond immediate, physical existence. It asks each visitor to become a custodian of these memories, encouraging reflection on past, present, and future legacies of Black art and culture.
The exhibition invites attendees to participate in an enduring dialogue about the need for collective memory and cultural preservation, offering an inspiring lookout onto what lies ahead—a future shaped by both the roots laid down by past generations and the steps taken by those to come.
The exhibition continues at CAAM through October 12, offering an immersive experience into Altadena’s cultural revitalization and artistic heritage.