Loma Alta Park, Altadena

May 12

Loma Alta Park Community Mural in Altadena, CA

We worked with LA County Parks to create a new mural for the reopening of Loma Alta Park in Altadena, CA. This was the only local park left mainly intact after the devastating Eaton Fire. With a large indoor gym building still standing, it became the first choice to bring back both as a park and as a much-needed community hub. With any bit of funding, we’ve learned to celebrate the small wins and keep pushing forward in the long road of rebuilding our town.

Having already painted several murals around town that somehow survived the fires, we saw this as an opportunity to invite other local mural artists into the project. These were all folks from our own artist sub-community, many of whom were deeply impacted, and it felt right to create an outlet for them to express themselves and leave their mark.

Altadena Mural Artists in Loma Alta Park — *Top:* *Ray Abary*, *Keni Arts*, *Lauren McElroy* & *Aaron Maurer* *Bottom:* *Lisa Beggs*, *Alec Pelsone*, *Victor Ving*, *Laina Miller* & *Leanna Viers* *Not Pictured:* *Katie Vonderheide*

It was important to us that this be a meaningful and healing experience and not just another “Altadena Strong” or fire-themed mural. The focus was more hyperlocal based the location and theme of the park itself. Just about all of the artists were parents and understand the future importance of parks in our community. We wanted something timeless, something that let each artist bring their own voice to the wall. The county gave us the creative freedom we needed to support their visions without unnecessary red tape.

Pouncing Mural Design in Loma Alta Park — *Laying out the mural design*

Mural Colors Wall Prep — *Carlos & Davida (Mural Colors* *wall prep)*

Victor Ving Mural Artist Altadena Loma Alta Park — *Ernie, Victor & Ray (Background Team)*

In our past murals, we’ve given a single letter to a local artist to make their own canvas within our larger mural. This time, we took that concept much further — handing over each letter in “LOMA ALTA” to eight different artists. It felt like the perfect way to reflect what we love most about Altadena: its soul, diversity and creative energy. Honestly, a lot of us were nervous about the outcome of mixing different styles but everyone trusted the process. At the end, seeing it all come together so seamlessly has been one of the most rewarding parts of the project.

This was a very sensitive time in our community with everyone navigating their own stages of grief and loss. Throughout this mural project, we interacted with many locals with a range of views. It’s nothing new in our world as we’re always working out in the public and having these kinds of conversations. But, the most important thing that we took away this time are the moments of positivity from everyone involved. Yes, Altadena will never be quite the same, and while we can’t turn back time, we believe those who remain will help shape something even more meaningful and connected. One of the big challenges ahead will be making sure people are able to stay and be part of that rebuilding process.

Altadena Mural Artists Detail in Letters

L (LOMA) - Victor Ving

Victor Ving L - Tongva Tribute Mural in Altadena — Instagram: @greetingstour
Website: Greetings Tour

Victor Ving is a local mural artist and co-founder of the Greetings Tour, a nationwide postcard mural project he created with his wife, Lisa Beggs. Together, they have collaborated with over 70 communities across more than 30 states to create their collectible mural series. Victor’s work combines bold typography with local landmarks, history and culture, transforming public spaces into vibrant, community-driven art. In Altadena, some of his past donated work includes the Greetings from ALTADENA postcard mural (Grocery Outlet), Mt. Lowe Railway mural (Altadena Hardware) and the Altadena/Pasadena travel decal murals (Highlight Coffee.)

Victor Ving: For my letter, it was important to acknowledge the history of the area. I collaborated with members of the San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians, Gabrieleno/Tongva on the universal concept of “home” highlighting food and shelter. I paid tribute to their original traditional dwelling structures known as “Kizh.” As a nod to the Altadena Community Garden in the park, I honored the area’s original “community garden” — the native food source plants that have long thrived here to this day.

“I wanted to highlight the serene and abundant life the Tongva people lived before colonization through food plants that provided a healthy and delicious diet for the Tongva people. Acorns, elderberry, toyon berry, and cactus fruit were all staples of the Tongva diet. Although these foods are still enjoyed by Tongva people today, they're much more scarce due to urban development and the replacement of native plants with foreign drought tolerant and European plants. Although they are a rare treat today, the Tongva people hope our traditional foods will be more abundant for everyone in Tovangaar (LA Basin) one day with the growing interest to plant native species everywhere.” - Samantha Johnson (Tongva member)

O (LOMA) - Alec Pelsone

Alec Pelsone is a Pasadena native with deep roots in the Altadena community. He's an abstract artist and muralist who learned the craft of sign painting from the renowned Ralph “Doc” Guthrie. Passionate about giving back, Alec volunteered his time for the Greetings from ALTADENA mural among many other local mural projects. Notably, his work can also be seen in large-scale murals at Pasadena High School, Eliot Arts Magnet, and other area schools, bringing bold, inspiring art to educational spaces.

“The imagery in the “O” is a tribute to the sports that brought this park to life. Just on the other side of this wall, the gym hosted many basketball games and the baseball fields were home to countless Little League seasons. There’s a little nod to the original scoreboard before the fire that’s now been upgraded thanks to the LA Dodgers. These moments might seem small, but they meant a lot—they helped shape the memories and connections that make this community what it is.”

M (LOMA) - Ray Abary

Instagram: @handpaintedbyray
Website: Hand Painted by Ray

Ray is a skilled sign painter and muralist from the neighboring foothill community of Sierra Madre. He generously lent his artistic talents to both the Greetings from ALTADENA and Greetings from PASADENA murals. Known for his precision and versatility, his work ranges from detailed oil portraits to bold graphic designs. He studied at Philly’s High School for Creative and Performing Arts before earning a BFA in Illustration from SVA in NYC.

“For the letter “M” I wanted to highlight the Loma Alta Equestrian Center as it plays a significant role in preserving Altadena’s enduring equestrian legacy. Altadena has always been a center for equestrian life, with its proximity to the San Gabriel Mountains offering easy access to an extensive network of riding trails including access to the historic Altadena Crest Trail. It also contributes to local conservation efforts, as maintaining horse properties often aligns with preserving open space and natural landscapes. The equestrian culture fosters a unique sense of community, identity and continuity in Altadena, distinguishing it from neighboring areas in an increasingly urbanized region. When I would walk around Altadena, especially near Loma Alta Drive, it wasn’t uncommon to see people riding horses on residential streets."

A (LOMA) - Leanna & Josh Viers

Instagram: @honeygirl_signs
Instagram: @conceptbyjosh

Josh and Leanna are a husband-and-wife design duo who share a passion for carefully considered shapes executed with precision. Josh has 25 years of experience in industrial design and works as a concept designer for film, while Leanna, a graphic designer with a biotech background, learned the art of sign painting from the legendary Ralph “Doc” Guthrie. Together, they create bold, dynamic artwork inspired by LA’s diverse neighborhoods. They worked from their home studio in Altadena until it was tragically lost in the Eaton Fire. Currently, their family is displaced in the Bay Area.

Their hand-painted signs and artwork have brought character to many beloved Altadena businesses, including Unincorporated Coffee, Café De Leche, Webster’s, Miya, Altadena Beverage, Sidecca, Carcifio Design, Mariposa Junction and more.

The opportunity to contribute to the Loma Alta park mural has been inspiring and cathartic. We have many fond memories of pickup games on the soccer fields below and birthday cake in the gazebo. Our kids would play on the playground while the parents chatted in the shade of the trees. We remember looking up at the San Gabriel mountains skimmed by soft, white clouds or raked with golden late afternoon light. We loved Loma Alta park and all that it meant to our family and friends, and we hoped to capture just a little of that spirit with some simple graphic shapes and bright colors. We are grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the re-beautification of Altadena.

A1 (ALTA) - Laina Miller

Instagram: @_lainamiller
Website: Laina Miller Studio

Laina Miller’s ethos is rooted in the healing benefits of surrounding oneself with creativity. Her art collections and creative products are birthed from her daily art practice and developed through life impressions and experiences. The intention behind each piece is to offer an aesthetic experience that resonates deeply, furthering our belief that art is therapy.

Laina, a single mother, artist, and small business owner, ran The Creative Café at Amara Kitchen in Altadena until it was lost in the Eaton Fire. She and her young daughter are now displaced, losing both their home and livelihood. Tragically, this is the second time she’s faced such loss—her childhood home in Paradise, CA, was destroyed in the 2018 Camp Fire.

“The art I created for this mural reflects the natural beauty that surrounded us every day while living in Altadena. It features native plants and flowers, the majestic mountains rich with history, and a peacock—a nod to the vibrant wildlife that roamed the area. One of my favorite parts of living here was walking the land; exploring trails or wandering through neighborhoods, always surrounded by the untamed beauty of the landscape. I chose to highlight poppies, not only because they symbolize resiliency, but also for deeply personal reasons. I lived on Poppyfields Dr longer than any other street in Altadena, and my daughter, named after the flower, was born there. Poppies hold a special place in my heart, representing both a cherished past and the strength to move forward.”

L (ALTA) - Keni Arts

Instagram: @keniarts
Website: Keni Arts Int’l.

For over 50 years, Keni Arts has been painting en plein air, capturing street scenes across the U.S., Africa, Brazil, Canada, England, Germany, and Mexico. Yet, some of his favorite subjects remain the streets of Altadena and Pasadena. Many locals know Keni is he’s often seen in the streets with a paint brush in hand.

When the Eaton Fire tore through the foothills, Keni’s home was reduced to ashes, along with thousands of others in his Altadena community. Before the fire, he had painted hundreds of homes and businesses in Altadena and Pasadena. Now, with his paint kit in hand, he returns to these sites—documenting the charred remains with the powerful intention of creating beauty from ashes.

“Before the Eaton Fire, I lived several blocks away from Loma Alta Park. Several times a week, I would walk the neighborhood. One of my routes took me through the park. Since I always walk with my paint kit, I'd often stop to do a painting. On the day I did the original watercolor painting, I stopped on the ramp on the south side of the gymnasium. A couple holding hands came walking up the entrance to the parking lot, so I decided to include them in the painting. I squeezed the building to fit into the 'L' in the mural, but made sure to include the couple.”

T (ALTA) - Katie Vonderheide

Instagram: @beautificationsolutions
Website: Beautification Solutions

Katie Vonderheide founded ‘Beautification Solutions’ in 2011. Her dream: to beautify everything around us. “As Los Angeles muralists, we are inspired by this city’s rich sign-painting legacy and all the historic murals that exist here.” Katie is a professionally trained sign painter and muralist that’s turned her passion into her dream business. She combines modern design with hand painting and hand lettering to create projects that are — frankly — freaking delightful!

Katie is an Altadena resident that’s currently displaced from the Eaton Fire.

“The Loma Alta Park Pool is like a hidden gem among the towering trees, mountains, and endless ultra-blue sky. Floating in the water, I am completely immersed in nature. I wanted my work to feel vibrant like summertime and evoke the peaceful feeling I have being at the pool. Every time I'm there, I think to myself, this is the most special place I know."

A2 (ALTA) - Lauren McElroy

Instagram: @lstarmurals
Website: L Star Murals

Lauren McElroy, a Philadelphia area native who lives in Eagle Rock, CA. After getting her BFA from Maryland Institute, College of Art and many years working as an artist & designer for both Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s Lauren decided to launch her own design & mural company in 2012. L Star Murals has painted hundreds of murals across Southern California and beyond, working with a roster of well known brands, as well as beloved local businesses, families and schools.

Lauren’s a great example of the diverse and welcoming spirit of our community. Many across Los Angeles have generously supported and contributed to Altadena, and Lauren is no exception. She has often explored our foothill trails, drawing inspiration from the natural beauty they offer.

“This is a spot on a nearby trail in Altadena and the design is inspired by a hike a friend and I took recently where we happened upon a bear bathing in the creek! It was super magical and memorable, especially because a few minutes before we saw it some very sweet hikers gave us each a Godiva chocolate. The combination of such unusually decadent things back to back felt so fortuitous, showcasing the local bounty.”

Video - Aaron Maurer

Instagram: @ghostcloak
Website: Aaron Maurer

Aaron Maurer is a multidisciplinary artist working in film, design and mixed media arts. After earning a degree from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2006, the Minneapolis native relocated to New York before settling in Altadena, CA, where he continues his work as a freelance designer and art director. Over the past decade he has established himself through commercial projects for clients such as HBO, Netflix, and Google among many others.

Aaron and his wife, Sam, poured their hearts into recently opening Practice yoga studio on Lake Ave. but are now displaced after losing their Altadena home to the Eaton Fire.