Hello Friends,

I had a newsletter ready to send out on January 7th. Needless to say, that got postponed. Everyone in LA is in a state of shock and grief. My family and I are all okay. I feel very lucky and also heartbroken for the people whose houses or livelihoods or lives have been destroyed. My husband and I were in NYC during 9/11 and the events of the past few weeks brought that trauma up. Our brains were having trouble functioning and making decisions because of the stress.

Our neighborhood had a recommendation to evacuate, “Get Set” they call it. And after spending several days and nights listening to terrifying winds (hurricane winds!) and watching our fire apps like zombies as various fires got closer, we decided to head north for a few days. We are back home now, but the fires are still not completely out. There’s a continued red flag warning this week from wind and dry weather and my son’s school is still closed (it’s in an evacuation zone). So there’s a lot that’s uncertain, including how to navigate the ongoing poor air quality.

Strange as it may sound, right now, I’m filled with gratitude. I’m grateful that we still had a house to come back to, so grateful to all my friends near and far who checked in to make sure we were okay. I’m grateful we had the ability to get away and have a break from the intense stress of being here while the fires were raging. I’m especially grateful for the LA community, for the firefighters, and for all the helpers participating in Mutual Aid and organizing to get displaced people the help they need. It’s a very hopeful thing to see how much we all want to help each other, friends and strangers alike. (I’ve added a list of wildfire resources below).

And…I’m also grateful to have two shows coming up! Awkward transition! It feels strange to be sharing this in light of everything that’s happening, but here we are. Stumbling onward. So please check out these two group exhibitions that I’m so honored to be part of. I hope that LA folks can join me. It’s very healing to gather with friends at this time. The show at the Middle Room Gallery will also include a raffle of donated work from all of the artists in the show. My piece will be raffled today, please check out my Instagram or Facebook for details. The proceeds will go to World Central Kitchen, Wildfire Recovery Fund, and the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation.

Upcoming Shows

DREAM MACHINE at The Middle Room Gallery

*UPDATE: THE OPENING RECEPTION IS NOW ON JANUARY 24th FROM 6-8PM

I’m thrilled that this new piece is included in the show DREAM MACHINE , a curatorial collaboration between Jaqueline Cedar of Good Naked Gallery and Shannon Rae Fincke of Middle Room Gallery. I made this after my dad passed away, it reminds me of a cathedral, and is named after a line from a poem by Keats, quoted by Joan Didion, two of his favorite writers.

9×9 Contemporary Quilts and Containers \ Palos Verdes Art Center

I’m happy to announce I’ll be in another show this month here in SoCal at Palos Verdes Art Center. It also includes many artists I admire. The show opens on January 25th with the opening reception on February 1st from 6-9pm.

Palos Verdes Art Center / Beverly G. Alpay Center for Arts Education is pleased to announce 9 x 9: Contemporary Quilts and Containers, a showcase of artworks by 18 distinguished artists from California’s established fiber art community. Presenting innovative interpretations of traditional craft forms, these dynamic quilted, woven, plaited, and twined works investigate the purposes and potential of cross-cultural narratives and techniques through diverse media, expanding our understanding of visual culture. Material-based, conceptually engaged, and skillfully executed, these artists transform conventional quilting and container-making practices into sophisticated contemporary expressions.

The exhibition is curated by Jo Lauria and Carrie Burckle, and features: Fafnir Adamites, Charlotte Bird, Lavialle Campbell, Joe Cunningham, Barbara Danzi, Lea Feinstein, Luke Haynes, Polly Jacobs-Giacchinna, Susan Jamart, Merrill Morrison, Kathy Nida, Caitlin Parker, Corine Pearce, Kay Sekimachi, Carol Shaw-Sutton, Karyl Sisson, Elise Vazelakis, and Nicki Voss.

Los Angeles Wildfire Resources

Pasadena Humane Society has been doing such amazing work to rescue pets and get them reunited with their owners. But they are overcrowded and need help.

LA Wildfire Community Meals provide food for first responders from local LA restaurants.

California Wildlife Center in Calabasas rescues wild animals and rehabilitates them so they can be released back into the wild. Many wild animals were also injured by the fire.

World Central Kitchen is providing meals for first responders and residents impacted by the fires.

Wildfire Recovery Fund helps individuals and families in need, ensuring that support reaches those most affected.

Carey Family Go Fund Me is for my son’s teacher who lost her studio apartment and her parents family home in Altadena in a single, unimaginable day.

Erin Berkowitz’s Go Fund Me is for my friend Erin of Berbo Studio. Erin is an amazing natural dyer, teacher, writer, naturalist and all around amazing person who lost her home and dye studio in Altadena.

Sending all my best wishes to you for the New Year. Community feels more important than ever. I love to hear from you, what you’re up to and how you’re doing. Please keep in touch and send me a note!

With love, Caitlin