Residency offers Los Angeles artists affected by wildfires chance to work again

"The wildfires that devastated parts of Los Angeles in January destroyed more than 18,000 homes and other structures, left dozens of people dead and led to the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of others. Among the most severely affected areas was the unincorporated city of Altadena, home to many visual artists who lost their houses and studios. Recovery for artists and everyone else impacted by the 14 separate wildfires throughout the region that month has been a slow, traumatic process."

"There is a bit of good news, however. Within a few weeks of the worst effects of those fires, the Anderson Ranch Arts Center, a four-acre artist residency community in Snowmass Village, Colorado, announced it would offer five-week residencies for 15 Los Angeles artists who were impacted by the wildfires; those residencies begin on 15 October. All programme fees for the selected artists (typically $750 for five-week stays) will be waived, their residencies underwritten by a group of individual and foundation supporters, including Bloomberg Philanthropies and Anne and Arnold Porath, among others."

Massive wildfires in Los Angeles in January destroyed over 18,000 homes and structures, killed dozens, and forced hundreds of thousands to evacuate. Altadena, an unincorporated community with many visual artists, suffered severe losses of homes and studios. Recovery across 14 separate wildfires has been slow and traumatic for artists and residents. Anderson Ranch Arts Center in Snowmass Village, Colorado, announced five-week residencies beginning October 15 for 15 Los Angeles artists impacted by the fires. All program fees, normally $750, will be waived and residencies funded by individual and foundation supporters including Bloomberg Philanthropies and Anne and Arnold Porath. Residents will live dormitory-style, receive individual studios, and dine communally at the café. The cohort approach is intended to provide shared grief, storytelling, and renewed focus on returning to artistic work.

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