Middletown >> As the anniversary of the Valley Fire swiftly approached, the Middletown Art Center (MAC) felt they needed to provide an opportunity for healing to all those still recovering from the devastating flames. They naturally turned to their area of expertise: art.
For two weeks in August, the MAC offered three classes every day — yoga or meditation in the morning, one art class in the early afternoon and a second later in the day — entirely free of charge. MAC board members wanted to share the things that have helped them toward healing, and they didn’t want finances to act as a deterrent. “You don’t have to have money, just come, try it, because you might find that it’s a modality that helps you recover from the trauma,” said board member Lisa Kaplan.
When suffering a tragedy, like losing a home in a fire, art is usually the farthest thing from someone’s mind. But for those at the art center, creation is about much more than painting something nice to hang on the wall. It’s a way to process emotions, to give a form and voice to the turmoil inside, to eventually heal.
The classes were about making beauty out of chaos, and reframing the disaster, which could even be done without picking up a brush. Just look at the hills around Middletown, Kaplan said. There’s something striking about the contrast of the charcoal trees, the green grass and the red clay earth. “If you can accept it and see the beauty in the way it is, that’s also a good coping mechanism,” Kaplan added. “We live in a beautiful place no matter what.”
If anyone understands this, it’s the MAC board of directors. Nine out of ten of them lost their homes in the Valley Fire. Kaplan herself has been using art to cope and understand what happened. Every piece she’s created since last September has been about the fire, in some way. “Recovery isn’t just rebuilding. We also have to enjoy ourselves, we have to take care of ourselves,” she expressed. “I think it’s been difficult in the whole recovery process to convince a greater number of people that it’s okay to take a break from rebuilding to come and make some art.”
Even so, the dozens of classes were fairly full, with 10-15 people showing for each session of painting, collaging, jewelry and mask making and the like. The MAC encouraged parents and children to attend together, so they could bond and share their emotions. The result was a pretty even mix of adults and kids.
Kaplan recalled a family who arrived to the MAC to create oversize paintings in which they expressed their feelings over losing their home last year. Although they worked separately, the images don’t appear as such. They have so much in common that they look as though they were planned that way. But Kaplan insists they weren’t. The family members just fed off of one another as they painted.
But in the middle of the two weeks, the Clayton Fire broke out. One participant rushed home to save their property. Some evacuees drove over to the MAC, with nowhere else to go. An artist who had evacuated multiple times before spent days at the MAC painting, just waiting to go home.
This was a story the art center knew all too well. “It was intense for all of us,” Kaplan admitted.
Although the Lower Lake fire put something of a damper on the classes, the two weeks culminated in a new exhibit currently on display at the MAC, aptly titled Community Works, which will run until Monday, Sept. 5. It’s different from their previous shows, which were juried for only the highest quality of art. This time around, MAC board members invited the whole community to hang their art on the walls. Much is from the classes, but those who didn’t participate were also encouraged to bring in their work. “We’re trying to support people making art and people using art as a healing modality,” Kaplan explained.
After the Valley Fire, the communities of Middletown, Cobb, Loch Lomond and Hidden Valley changed drastically. Thousands of homes were lost. The long rebuilding process is just getting underway. Many people moved away, temporarily or for good. And the economy was hit hard.
This time of year likely brought up many unsettling memories. “We feel very strongly that around fire season and around the anniversary of the Valley Fire it was very important to provide a space for people to express themselves,” Kaplan said. “There is a lot of anxiety and PTSD in the community.”
Though the MAC likely won’t be offering two weeks of free classes again for a while, they continually host classes and other activities, such as dance, music and art talks. They also provide scholarships year-round for those in need. And being supported by volunteers and donations, things aren’t always easy for the MAC. They’re always welcoming to new members and volunteers. Any donations are tax deductible and often they will post items they need on their website.
“We want to grow because we are part of the pulse of Middletown right now and a really important part of keeping the community together and keeping the community happy and engaged with each other,” said Kaplan.
The Middletown Art Center is located at 21456 Hwy. 175 and will be open from 12-6 p.m. today and Saturday and from 12-5 p.m. on Sunday.
Jennifer Gruenke can be reached at 900-2019.
