Local artist Keni Davis, known as Keni Arts, will present his exhibition "Beauty for Ashes" at the Altadena Main Library throughout May 2025. The show documents the aftermath of January's Eaton Fire, which destroyed over 9,000 homes and businesses in Altadena, including Davis's own home, studio, and most of his paintings. Through his watercolor works, Davis captures the destruction, renewal, and emerging hope in the community he has called home since 1977.
The exhibition matters because it demonstrates how art can serve as a tool for community healing and recovery after a natural disaster. Davis's personal loss gives the work an authentic, firsthand perspective on the fire's impact, while his long-standing connection to Altadena and Pasadena—which he affectionately calls the "Dena"—adds depth to the narrative of resilience. The show also highlights the role of public libraries as venues for meaningful local art and community engagement.