The healing power of art
Some took clothes and documents. Others gathered photos and memorabilia. But when I evacuated my home during the recent fires in Sonoma County, I filled the back seat of my car with art -- my young granddaughter's precious drawings and paintings, along with a few other treasures by my sons -- now grown into manhood: Irreplaceable clay pieces, crayon etchings and spontaneous scribblings that rival the work of Jackson Pollock. However, other evacuees in the county were not as fortunate.
Enter Bill Gittens, an artist who was in the midst of setting up studio in his garage on the night he was evacuated. Bill remembers walking over 60 paintings laid out on the floor ready to be hung as he fled the flames. During the foggy aftermath of ashes and grief that we all experienced, Bill resolved to replace art lost in the blaze -- not his own paintings, but those of others whose homes had also burned to the ground.
An art class at the local Junior College, several years ago, had enticed Bill to leave a promising job as Vice President of Human Resources in a corporation with over 1300 employees for the honor of winning Best in Show at the County Harvest Fair. Seeking studio space to pursue his new passion, Bill converted a deserted poultry processing plant on Fulton Road, just west of the railroad tracks into Fulton Crossing Gallery incorporating 13 studio spaces -- including one for artists from Becoming Independent -- as well as a gallery flush with art from floor to ceiling.
Reading in the Press Democrat about a woman who was giving her watercolors to those suffering from devastating fire losses, including the loss of art, Bill and Paula Strothers rose to the occasion. Putting out a message on social media, they offered to give works of art to local residents impacted by the fires. The gallery was inundated with responses and gave out everything -- nearly 50 works of art on opening day.
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Paula Strothers, co-presenter with Bill at the Rotary meeting, exhibited photos of recipients at the Fulton Gallery art giveaway which included families as well as young children. Bill and Paula then solicited more art from other local artists to present a second showing which was equally well received.
Fulton Gallery is open Friday - Monday, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Every third Friday gallery goers are treated to music, food and wine from 5 - 8 p.m.
As part of a program to assist small businesses affected by the fire, the Rotary Club of Santa Rosa Sunrise awarded a small grant to Fulton Gallery. A club Fireside will be held at the gallery on July 27, 2018, from 5 7 p.m. All Sunrisers and their guests are encouraged to attend.
