Eliot Arts Magnet is a middle school where students can immerse themselves in artistic endeavors while also receiving a strong core curriculum. Together with Altadena Arts Magnet, it serves as one of two sister schools in the Pasadena Unified School District. In 2020, I was deeply honored when Altadena Arts named their art classroom the ‘Keni Arts Studio’.
Although A ltadena Arts was spared the physical devastation that struck Eliot during the Eaton Fire, both campuses were forced to relocate their students.
I have painted both campuses many times over the years. When I returned to Eliot after the fire, I was stunned by the extent of the damage. On January 8—the day after the fire began—I had walked past the school and believed there was only minor roof damage.
Post Eaton Fire then, I’ve returned to paint Eliot four more times. Each visit reveals further portions of the school being demolished by the Army Corps of Engineers. Their fast and skillful work in clearing properties of ash and debris is preparing the site so that rebuilding can begin.