Fire Ignites an Art Movement

A tragic anniversary brings the art community together.

This week marks the anniversary of the Northern California wildfires that resulted in devastating losses of life and property. Even in my home in San Francisco, the smell of smoke and an intense sense of dread woke me in the middle of the night. Many of my friends and colleagues, were in danger - and the news the next morning got worse and worse.

We saw entire neighborhoods devoured by the flames, people lost loved ones and precious belongings - displaced for months and in shock. But then a remarkable response from the artistic community took root. 

Artists documented what they saw and experienced. They excavated the ruins of their surroundings and made new work from ashes and soot, melted metal and charred wood. Or they told stories, wrote poems and made films. 

One year later, we are still sifting through the emotions and memories. The art that emerged from these events can help us reflect and respond, honor what was lost, and prove that we can continue on.  
 

Here are a few of the exhibitions inspired by the 2017 wildfires:

SONOMA VALLEY MUSEUM OF ART
From Fire, Love Rises
September 29, 2018 to January 6, 2019

SF CAMERAWORK
Forage From Fire: Images by Norma I. Quintana
October 4 - 20, 2018

FIRST STREET NAPA
Art Responds: The Wine Country Fires
October 10 - December 15, 2018

MUSEUMS OF SONOMA COUNTY
From the Fire: A Community Reflects and Rebuilds
October 6, 2018 - January 27, 2019
 

Please support these amazing artists!

1. Oscar Aguilar Olea, Danae, Egg tempera with acrylics on canvas 2. Brain Fies, A Fire Story, Page 5, Ink on Bristol board 3. Gregory Roberts, Sonoma Ash Project 4. Norma I. Quintana, Typewriter, Archival pigment print 6. Peter Hassen, Love/Loss, mixed media.