
Art of Fire
Field Trips
Four field trips were organized giving artists a behind-the-scenes look at what happens when a fire occurs, how scientific information is used in management decisions, and the many facets behind long-term ecological disturbance studies. The field trip element was structured for two-way exchange, allowing all participants to become immersed in the environment.
- Wildfire Simulation Training
- BLM - Alaska Fire Service Tour
- Denali National Park and Preserve
- Bonanza Creek LTER - Rosie Creek Fire Study Area
Artist Bios
Nine local Alaskan artists were selected through a competitive proposal process to particiate in this visual art project, with the goal of integrating scientific and artistic perspectives on climate change in interior Alaska as it relates to fire, fire management practices, and the resulting changes to ecosystems.
Each artist was tasked with completing a body of work (up to 10 pieces of visual art) based on inspiration from field trips, personal observations, and interactions with the science and management communities.
Find out more about each artist, their inspiration and works of art:
- Sarah Degennaro, Painting and Drawing
- Jennifer Moss, Painting
- Yasunari Izaki, Wood and Metal Sculpture
- Hanna Stevenson, Metal and Fiberglass Sculpture
- Jessie Hedden, Mixed Media and Painting
- Phil Marshall, Wood Sculpture
- Amanda Ellis, Photography and Sculpture
- Ree Nancarrow, Fiber
- Erinn Kathryn, Mixed Media and Painting
- Karin Franzen, Curator
Lecture Series
The Alaska Public Lands Information Center hosted an evening lecture series that featured participating artists and local fire science researchers. The Art of Fire artists discussed the inspiration for their pieces, the experiences gained through field trips and their artistic process while Alaskan scientists focused on the ecological aspects of wildfire.
Click each of the lectures below to watch a video:
- Jennifer Barnes (NPS Fire Ecologist): Fire in the Alaska Ecosystem
- Sarah Degennaro: The Art of Fire and the Art of Problem Solving
- Jessi Hedden: The Art of Fire
- Jennifer Moss: Art of Fire: Inspiration and Methods
- Ree Nancarrow: The Art of Fire
- Hanna Stevenson: A Moth to the Flame
Media Coverage
NPS Wildland Fire Stories - Denali National Park and Preserve (2011): In a Time of Change: The Art of Fire
UAF Spotlight (7/23/12): Exhibit reveals art of fire science and management
Fairbanks Daily News-miner (8/6/12): Time of Fire exhibit merges the science of fire with creative bursts
Talk of Alaska (8/7/12): Art with Engagement
Denali National Park and Preserve - Getting Ready for 2016 (8/9/2012): In a Time of Change: The Art of Fire
APU Gallery Exhibit
A portion of the Art of Fire works were exhibited at the Leah J Peterson Gallery at the Alaska Pacific University (APU) in Anchorage. The exhibit ran from January 4-27, 2013 at the APU Gallery.
Bear Gallery Exhibit
The culmination of this project was a formal art exhibit at the Bear Gallery, Alaska Centennial Center For The Arts, Pioneer Park. The nine artists unveiled their work on August 3rd with a First Friday Reception from 5-7 pm.
Click on each artist's name to read their statement and see their work:
- Sarah Degennaro, Painting and Drawing
- Jennifer Moss, Painting
- Yasunari Izaki, Wood and Metal Sculpture
- Hanna Stevenson, Metal and Fiberglass Sculpture
- Jessie Hedden, Mixed Media and Painting
- Phil Marshall, Wood Sculpture
- Amanda Ellis, Photography and Sculpture
- Ree Nancarrow, Fiber
- Erinn Kathryn, Mixed Media and Painting
- Karin Franzen, Curator
Community Art Show
Members of the fire management community and the public were also given an opportunity to share their wildfire experiences and observations through a Community Art Show. This show also opened on August 3rd with a First Friday Reception from 5-7 pm at the Alaska Public Lands Information Center, Morris Thompson Center.
NSF Exhibit
An additional selection of the Art of Fire works were selected for display at the National Science Foundation (NSF) headquarters in Virginia, as part of the Ecological Reflections – Sense of Place in Changing Places exhibit showcasing artist-scientist collaborations at LTER sites (Feb 28-Jun 15, 2013).