[photo credit: Vroman’s Bookstore]
But a year-long collaboration between local artists and affected families has found a way to restore what the flames destroyed through art.
On Sunday, February 15, at 3 p.m., Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena will unveil “Lost x Found: Keepsakes Reimagined,” a free gallery exhibition showcasing digital illustrations of beloved objects lost to the fires.
“Lost x Found: Keepsakes Reimagined is an exhibit of Project Keepsake which began in the aftermath of the devastating Los Angeles fires when loss felt overwhelming and the path to recovery was uncertain,” according to Vroman’s Bookstore.
The project is led by Alvin Oei, founder of CMD+Y, “a creative nonprofit that uses imagination to explore social and environmental issues while supporting local communities through art.”
“Through illustration and storytelling, artists and designers participating in Lost x Found worked closely with families to reimagine beloved objects such as toys, mementos, and symbols of comfort that were lost to the flames,” the event description states.
According to the project description, “We connect artists with youth to recreate cherished keepsakes lost in the fire, offering them a sense of permanence and the comfort of preserving memories that can never truly be erased.”
“Entirely grassroots and built through collective generosity, Lost x Found stands as a testament to what can grow when art, empathy, and community come together,” according to Vroman’s.
Lost x Found: Keepsakes Reimagined will run on Sunday, Feb. 15 at 3 p.m. at Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena.Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. For more call (626) 449-5320 or visit https://vromansbookstore.com/event/2026-02-15/lost-x-found.
