A new, limited photo exhibition opening this weekend showcases resiliency after the devastation of the Eaton and Palisades fires.
Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Ringo Chiu’s exhibit, “Hope out of Fire,” opens this weekend at the Shops at Santa Anita in Arcadia, and next week in Yorba Linda.
The installation, opened during Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month in partnership with the L.A. Chinese Culture Development Center, is part of an “AAPI: Living Heritages” exhibit and the first in Chiu’s “Ringo & Friends” series. It showcases 40 images from 10 award-winning local photographers, many of them from the Press Photographers Association of Greater Los Angeles.
The exhibit includes compelling shots from the Southern California News Group’s Keith Birmingham and Sarah Reingewirtz, photojournalists who covered the aftermath of the L.A. wildfires in January.
“I believe in the power of images to connect us — to share pain and to heal. I hope these photographs do just that,” Chiu said on social media. “Through stories of loss, resilience and compassion, the exhibited pictures capture both the devastation of the flames and the strength and unity of those affected, raising awareness and support to bring people together in times of healing and rebuilding. Every image in this collection tells how people came together in the face of crisis, how community bonding spreads faster than the flames, and how strength is found in solidarity.”
Arcadia Councilmember Paul Cheng said the “Hope out of Fire” photo exhibition “isn’t just about art — it’s about memory, resilience, and human connection.”
It highlights “the courage of our local firefighters and the strength of the communities impacted,” Cheng said. “I believe stories like these help remind us of who we are — and what we can overcome together.”
The exhibit runs in conjunction with Chiu’s “Taste China” showcase, featuring food and culture photography from China’s Sichuan and Guangdong provinces.
Both exhibits located at the Santa Anita mall’s center court, on the first floor, are open through Monday, May 26. Address: 400 S. Baldwin Ave. in Arcadia.
The joint displays will move to the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd. in Yorba Linda, on May 27 and 28.