Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
As Altadena rises from the ashes, a new mural speaks to those longing for home
A new mural is unveiled at Fair Oaks Burger.
(
Dañiel Martinez
/
LAist
)
Excitement was in the air Saturday morning as people from around Los Angeles gathered at Fair Oaks Burger in Altadena to witness the unveiling of a new Robert Vargas mural dedicated to the community several months after the Eaton Fire.
Vargas, known for his murals of Fernando Valenzuela and Shohei Ohtani, was on site to present the new work he'd been working on up until Saturday morning. The mural depicts a young Black girl picking a California poppy, holding a teddy bear, and wearing a shirt adorned with scenes and faces from Altadena.
-
The city is currently negotiating with LA28 over public resources like policing and traffic control that will be needed to put on the Games. -
The big cat was captured within 200 meters of the animal crossing — a project expected to be complete in 2026. -
Dresses worn by Marlene Dietrich and vintage Levi's Gary Cooper owned are among a garment collection of old Hollywood.
"The teddy bear, which is a nod to the bears of the community that come down from the foothills. That is the security... what the little girl feels secure with [and] calls home," Vargas said.
Her action of picking a California poppy, he said, represents the community "rising from the ashes."
The hand from a girl depicted in Robert Vargas' new mural picks a California Poppy.
(
Dañiel Martinez
/
LAist
)
Robert Vargas stands in front of his new mural in Altadena, a girl holding a teddy bear is depicted in part of the artwork behind him.
(
Dañiel Martinez
/
LAist
)
Fans and community members were there to see the new painting. Dottie Burkhart is from north Pasadena. She went to high school with Vargas at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts and says the mural helps her reimagine what home is to people in Altadena.
Sponsored message
" It's beautiful. And for me, what brings tears to my eyes, is the look on her face. There's happiness even in all of this destruction. So to me that's what's really beautiful about it," she said.
The face of a girl seen in "From The Ashes" at Fair Oaks Burger in Altadena, the new mural from Los Angeles artist Robert Vargas.
(
Dañiel Martinez
/
LAist
)
Robert de Leon is from Altadena, but lost his home in the Eaton Fire and currently lives in Pasadena. He came out to see the mural and says he appreciates all the symbols in the picture.
"The thing that connects with me most is the girl carrying the bear and it's like she's longing for home, or grasping onto that teddy bear, that's comforting," he said. "My initial inspiration is just sort of like the desire of Altadena to return to what it was."
Robert Vargas takes a picture with other Altadenans and local supporters in front of his new mural "From The Ashes" at Fair Oaks Burger.
(
Dañiel Martinez
/
LAist
)
Temple City resident Georganna Cordova was there to support her husband, who worked at the local school Odyssey Charter, which burned down in the fires. She's a huge fan of Vargas and this was the first time she experienced one of his pieces in person.
" I like that he captured really everything in a nutshell, even the horses that during the fire were being led out of the fire. Everything's in there," she said.
Sponsored message
Two horses and various other faces and scenes are depicted in the shirt a Black girl is wearing within Robert Vargas' new mural "From The Ashes" at Fair Oaks Burger.
(
Dañiel Martinez
/
LAist
)
After the banner covering the mural dropped Vargas named and signed the piece, dedicating it to Altadena and its continued resilience as it rebuilds nearly half a year after the Eaton Fire.
"This mural at Fair Oaks Burger is truly a reflection of the resilient community that's persevered through so much devastation and they really inspired me to create this mural," Vargas told LAist.
A large banner covers the wall of Fair Oaks Burger in Altadena which hides the newest mural by artist Robert Vargas.
(
Dañiel Martinez
/
LAist
)
Robert Vargas signs and names his new mural "From The Ashes" in Fair Oaks Burger in Altadena
(
Dañiel Martinez
/
LAist
)
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
