ART from the ashes

San Gabriel Chapter SAF Summer Meeting
July 22

In April 2009 the Southern California SAF Spring Meeting was held in Santa Barbara to review the lessons learned from the 2008 Tea and Gap Fires. Ironically, the Jesusita Fire started two weeks later and burned significant portions of the Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens, including portions we had just toured.

Last fall the San Gabriel Chapter benefited from a detailed presentation by Incident Commander Mike Dietrich on the challenges of fighting the Station Fire that burned 160,000 acres in Los Angeles County - the largest in the county's history. Stories of the homes and property that had been destroyed were rampant during the fire and immediately following its containment. Throughout this past winter we were peppered by the news media as every rain storm approached warning us of pending devastation from mudslides.

Whether from the fire or mudslides, many families were displaced and began the long process of putting their lives back together again. Land managers were forced to assess the resources entrusted to them and revise and/or update management plans. How many times has this scenario been played out for us each fall over the years?

Coincidentally, the Jesusita and Station Fires had something unique in common as part of their recovery effort - ART from the ashes. This non-profit organization was established in 2007 "to provide a cathartic avenue to communities affected by wildfire by transfiguring fire site debris into beautiful works of art."

Founder and artist Joy Feuer will be our guest speaker as we learn more about the organization and its purpose, Joy's vision in using art for healing and fundraising, and the events to support the Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens and Deukmejian Wilderness Park in Glendale (the entire 700 acre park was burned in the Station Fire). Dottie Sharkey, President of the Glendale Parks and Open Space Foundation, will give a short presentation on their fundraising partnership with ART from the ashes.

Following the presentation we will be able to wander through the art gallery viewing the 135 unique pieces of art donated by 64 different artists created from the "ashes" of the Station Fire. [You can get a sneak preview on the ART from the ashes website - see the drop-down panel on the right.]

WARNING: you will never think of burned branches, rusted pipe, molten metal and broken glass as merely "debris" again.

When
Thursday, July 22, 2010 - 6:00pm

Cost
$10.00 (donation for the exhibit)

Where
ART from the ashes Gallery
216 S. Brand Boulevard
Glendale, CA
(Across from the Americana at Brand at Caruso Avenue - click for map)