Opening Reception Sunday June 29th 12 PM – 4 PM
Exhibition Featured 06.29.25 – 09.09.25
Featured Artists: Jamison Carter, Kate Carvellas, Malado Francine, David Grant, Julie Green, Margaret R. Griffith, Marcus Guillory, Brad Howe, Liz Huston, Karol Kaufman, Aaron Kramer, Stevie Love, Aline Mare, Gary Palmer, Laura Parker, Kassia Rico, Gay Summer Rick, Jean Robison, Delbar Shahbaz, Coleen Sterritt & Jane Szabo
Curated by Liz Gordon
DIVERTED DESTRUCTION (now in its 18th year) is traditionally an Assemblage Art Exhibition focusing on creating art from discarded objects or ephemera that would otherwise be destined for the landfill. But this year is different.
In January 2025 the LA Art Community began sharing news about artists who had lost their homes and studios – many of which housed multitudes of career spanning work. As the devastating news of the fire hit, I could only think about what can we (at Liz’s Antique Hardware and The Loft at Liz’s) do to help those who are in need. Given how so many local artists were devastated by this incredible loss, I decided to divert from the usual criteria of this show, instead allowing artists to divert their own destruction through the means of their own preferred medium.
This year’s show brings three categories of artists to the forefront:
Those who lost everything.
Those who may not have lost works but are dealing with the inability to move back into their homes due to no water, permeating smells and toxins in everything they own, the nightmare of dealing with insurance (some of whom are classified as “outside the fire zone” and therefore denied insurance).
And finally, those who have experienced previous fires- having rebuilt and proverbially risen from the ashes themselves.
I hope you will join us in support of our beloved creative community.
– Curator Liz Gordon
EXHIBITION FEATURED:
June 29th – September 9th, 2025
OPENING RECEPTION:
Sunday June 29th – Noon to 4pm
FREE ASSEMBLAGE WORKSHOPS: OPEN TO PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Saturdays July 19th & August 23rd (2-5pm)
Artist Talks to be scheduled and announced.
The loss of items that adorned the homes in Altadena and The Palisades is staggering, with thousands of historic components having come from LAH over the last 30 years.
What is Liz’s Antique Hardware doing?
– Each month a percentage of sale proceeds from the store and gallery are donated to an organization helping those affected by the fire.
– From May 20th to June 17th The Loft at Liz’s will host a FREE giveaway to those affected by the fire including: small furnishings, art & supplies, instruments, decorative items, hardware, lighting and much more.
Here is the link for those in need, those wishing to volunteer or donate: https://theloftatlizs.com/
Now in its 18th iteration, Diverted Destruction at The Loft at Liz’s continues its mission of transforming discarded refuse into compelling works of art. Curated by Liz Gordon, this annual exhibition typically challenges artists to repurpose items destined for landfills, highlighting the creative potential in what society often deems as waste.
This year’s theme, “The LA Fire,” draws inspiration from the recent wildfires that have impacted Los Angeles and its surrounding areas. The participating artists explore themes of destruction, resilience and regeneration. Their creations serve as a testament to the enduring spirit of communities affected by destruction and the transformative power of art.
Diverted Destruction not only showcases innovative artworks but also fosters community engagement. The exhibition features a “Giveaway Installation,” offering visitors access to a variety of found objects to inspire their own creative endeavors. This interactive component underscores the exhibition’s commitment to sustainability and collective artistic expression. Several FREE artist workshops are also offered throughout the exhibition period and are open to the public. Materials and tools are provided by the gallery, although artists are also welcomed to bring their own materials or works in progress. The workshops are generally hosted by an exhibiting artist who may lend their support or guidance to participants – although it is primarily an uninstructed and free-form creative session.
Diverted Destruction 18 – The LA Fire invites viewers to consider the environmental impact of consumption and the potential for rebirth inherent in destruction. It stands as a poignant reminder of art’s capacity to heal, inspire, and transform.
CLICK HERE FOR OUR DIVERTED DESTRUCTION EXHIBIT ARCHIVES