In the aftermath of devastating wildfires that swept through Southern California this January, Jack Rutberg is doing what he knows best: keeping the doors of his Pasadena fine arts gallery open as a haven of beauty and contemplation for a wounded community.

“I want to create our own bubble of positivity,” says Rutberg, director of Jack Rutberg Fine Arts. “Positivity is a powerful tonic, and that’s what art does for me, and I hope it continues to do it for the community.”

The gallery has extended its current exhibition, “Hispanic Legacy,” through March 1st. The show features works spanning from Goya and Picasso to Diego Rivera and Roberto Matta – masters whose art has long provided solace and inspiration through turbulent times.

Rutberg himself was not spared from the fires’ destruction. He lost artwork that was on loan to another gallery, though he demurs from providing specifics. “I know numerous people who have lost their entire collections of art as they’ve lost their homes,” he says quietly.

Yet from this devastation, he sees potential for renewal. Rutberg draws a parallel to another exhibition he’s been approached about – works addressing the Holocaust. “It is not about the horror, but about the survival and the renewal,” he explains. “That’s why it’s so critical that people understand that through these kinds of horrors and circumstances, the phoenix does rise out of the ashes if we allow it to.”

The gallery has received an outpouring of concern from the international art community. One collector thousands of miles away has offered works by Robert Indiana – including his famous “HOPE” series – for a potential museum exhibition in the affected area.

The response from the art community has been deeply personal. Rutberg’s phone has been ringing with calls from people seeking guidance after their losses, though he notes that most are simply grateful to have survived. “Reality hasn’t hit for many,” he says, his voice softening. “But I’m moved by how our gallery has become a place where people can find some measure of peace. We’re not just about viewing art – we’re about preserving culture for future generations, and that feels especially meaningful now.”

For now, his focus remains on providing a space where art can work its quiet magic. “We’re always a place that people come for some level of edification, entertainment, poignancy, history,” Rutberg reflects. “It’s all about connections and that never ceases to be an important part of our lives. Not because of tragedy, but because of possibilities.”

In a time when so much has been lost, Rutberg’s gallery stands as a reminder of art’s enduring power to heal and unite. As he wrote to his clients, “We enrich our environment with charged objects that evoke awe, profundity, humor, reflection and empathy. Often that comes in small moments, as poignancy is not dependent upon the large gesture.”

 

Jack Rutberg Fine Arts 
600 South Lake Avenue, #102 
 Pasadena, CA 91106 US
Gallery Hours: Tues – Fri: 10:00 to 6:00 & Sat: 10:00 – 5:00
Gallery Entrance Though Lobby
Free Parking Entry on South Lake Avenue