Sonoma County Fire Memorial
Gordon is honored to be selected as a finalist for the Sonoma County Fire Memorial. The legacy of the Sonoma Complex Fire has left an indelible mark on the communities of Sonoma and Napa counties. Yet, despite the widespread damage and tragic loss of life, the outpouring of support in the aftermath of such a destructive event has become a symbol of the strength and resilience of the region’s spirit and people. A memorial that embodies both feelings of loss as well as the persistence of hope must be crafted with care, compassion and empathy, careful to not open old wounds as the community continues to heal.
The Studio has a deep personal connection to the wildfires of 2017. When the fires pushed into Napa, we were forced to evacuate our Napa studio, not knowing what, if anything, might survive the blaze. In the days following the fires continued to ravage our community and region, burning through thousands of acres. In the end our studio was spared, but many were not as fortunate.
The Nuns, Tubbs, and Pocket Fires (together comprising the Sonoma Complex Fire) burned over 110,700 acres in Sonoma and Napa counties. In Sonoma County, the Complex Fire tragically took 24 lives, caused an estimated 100,000 people to evacuate, and destroyed more than 5,300 homes. Many of those killed in the fires are believed to have died late on October 8 or early on October 9, 2017, when most of the fires broke out overnight. Overall, 6,997 structures were destroyed in the County, resulting in direct losses exceeding $7.8 billion.
The qualified artist or artist team will design, fabricate, and install a permanent commemorative public artwork honoring the 2017 Sonoma County wildfires. This artwork will serve as a lasting symbol of remembrance, reflection, and community resilience.
