Lake County >> At least half of Lake County artists have been affected by the Valley fire, estimated Sherry Harris, who runs the arts newsletter. Whether they lost their homes, art supplies, studio space, or all three, it’s going to take quite a while for the art scene to get back on its feet.
“Since all of these affected fire areas had a lot of artist residents, I personally feel that there will be a real set back from the lack of art coming from these artists for a long time, until they can rebuild their homes and their studio art work spaces,” Harris said.
The music scene isn’t fairing much better at the moment. While none of the venues have been damaged (the Loch Lomond Roadhouse and Cobb’s Village Pub are still standing), naturally, shows aren’t happening. It’s hard to say when they’ll be up and running again. “I’ve had many gigs canceled,” said “Mojo” Larry Platz, a local guitarist who had a show scheduled for Saturday night at the Village Pub.
Local art venues are seeing a similar situation. The Middletown Art Center (MAC) is undamaged but they were in the midst of preparing for a new show. Those preparations have been put on hold while Middletown remains evacuated. Though once they can open their doors again, the MAC will be a place for artists to come together for classes and shows, even more so than before.
The third Friday reception at Clearlake’s Art House Gallery, which was supposed to occur last night, was canceled. Though it’s not in an affected area, the gallery remains closed, due to a lack of business and so many affected artists. However, the Art House Gallery has opened their doors to evacuated artists who are members of the organization. “Everybody, in every way, is trying to help,” Harris said.
But one art venue has been destroyed: the EcoArts Sculpture Walk at the Trailside Park in Middletown, an outdoor sculpture art show, which runs throughout the summer each year. Very few pieces are left standing.
Although Platz, a Lakeport resident, is doing fine, many of his friends are not. Though unconfirmed rumors are flying, there are a few musicians whose homes have been lost. David Neft, the pianist of Bill Noteman and the Rockets, Shelly Mascari, Funky Dozen singer, and Tyrone Rivera, saxophonist in Safe Sax and the Hip Replacements, are three musician who have lost everything in the fire.
As for others, such as the homes and instruments of the men of C.A.M., or Cobb Area Musicians, people just don’t know. “I haven’t heard anything from anyone up there,” said Platz. “At this point, the smoke literally and figuratively hasn’t cleared.”
Some already know their homes are lost. Others are in a kind of limbo, waiting to get back and see what has survived. Sariah Reeser, an artist who lives just north of Loch Lomond, was evacuated from her home — and her art studio — early Sunday morning, only able to grab her paintbrushes from her piles of art supplies. She’s currently waiting nervously as fire encroaches on her home.
But in spite of her worries, she’s thankful she can continue to create, no matter the outcome. And once the fire reaches containment and the threat disappears, if Reeser’s home hasn’t been damaged she’s going to open her art studio to any and every person who wants to come create, no matter age or skill level. She has colored pencils, paint, markers, brushes, coloring books, sketch books and paper.
“We can all draw and color and heal together,” Reeser said.
While there are obvious immediate impacts on the art scene, there are long-term impacts to consider too. Some artists who lost their homes and studios may not remain in the county after this. “We don’t know how many people are going to stay and rebuild how many people are going to move out of the area,” Harris said.
Many people in the art community were working hard to transform Lake County into an art destination, improving tourism and giving the county a much-needed economic boost. Harris said this fire is likely to deter many from coming into the area.
There are also worries about the impacts on artist’s livelihoods. Even those who didn’t lose supplies or artwork could be affected. Art purchases are far from people’s minds in times of economic difficulty, and with the fire, things are sure to be even tougher.
Though concerts are still going forward — many as benefits for fire victims — and more music events are being planned, the future of the music scene is also something to wonder about. “I don’t see how this fire can’t affect absolutely everything,” Platz said.
But Harris is optimistic that after the fire, people can work together to rebuild the art scene and create once more. “However, real artists have the inherent need to be creative so if they decide to stay in Lake County to rebuild and they are young enough to have the energy to start over, they will begin to create art again,” she said.
While the current main concern for many artists is getting back to the homes they were evacuated from, not long down the road, people are going to be looking to make art once again, and they’ll likely need help to do it. One obvious step is donating art supplies, anything from paint and canvas to items for jewelry construction. No plans are in place yet, but Harris is looking at possibly organizing fundraisers in the future, such as events where the art sales will go to fire victims. “There might be a way we can raise funds for musicians, poets, artists to replace their livelihood,” she said. “We’re all asking ourselves, how can we help?”
And it’s this spirit of generosity that everyone can appreciate, even those affected by the fire. “I want to see more of it, I want to see it last,” said Reeser, adding that she loves how people have “come together as a community like we never have before.”
Jennifer Gruenke can be reached at 900-2019.
