The Project
Welcome to “The Art of Safe Keeping.” I initiated this community art project about wildfires after I, together with many others, evacuated due to wildfires in 2024. It was a frightening and uncertain time for our remote communities in the Slocan Lake area. While the 7 different wildfires around us kept growing, the smoke obscured our views of what was happening out there, leaving many people in the dark about the state of their properties. During this time, every few days new areas were being evacuated. There was a big movement of people in both directions: locals evacuating and emergency responders arriving. Volunteers stepped up to look after one another, some of them evacuees themselves. This event was just one of many; wildfires and other natural disasters are impacting people all over the world. Art can help people process their feelings and broaden perspectives. We can express ourselves through art; share, gather, be heard, learn, heal and reflect.
This project would not be here without support of many sponsors, contributors, volunteers and yourself.
Thank you! With Gratitude, Petra Hekkenberg, artist from New Denver BC
“The Art of Safe Keeping” takes place in two phases:
