Human Resilience Through Art
David Leon Zink, who sits on the board of directors of the Paradise Arts Alliance as the vice chair says that the community “recognized a need to help increase awareness of Paradise as a burgeoning, 38
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arts-engaged community as The Ridge recovers and grows.” Their mission is to raise the profile, support communication, educate, and encourage art appreciation and collaboration in the arts community. Perhaps the best way to understand what the Paradise Arts Alliance does is to take a look at the occasion which fostered the organization. It began with the idea of planning several events around the one-year commemoration of the Camp Fire. During that initial gathering, organization after organization stepped forward for the opportunity to join in, resulting in a weeklong roster of activities. One such event was Joy Will Find a Way: Experience Butte County’s Resilience Through the Arts at the Paradise Performing Arts Center. The twohour-long show ran twice and consisted of 29 different acts. Over 150 artists of various types of media performed including poets, musicians, dancers,
WRITTEN BY SHELLY BRANDON | PHOTOS BY BEAU VANDERMATE
Prior to the Camp Fire, the town of Paradise very likely had more artists per square mile than any other neighboring community. A thriving arts scene had established itself in the town long ago, and many of these artists persevered and were determined to revive it in the community following the fire. This effort to overcome often insurmountable obstacles to continue to create was noticed by a number of art organizations in Paradise. They also witnessed collaborations happening amongst artists and recognized a new opportunity to help lend leadership to the community on public art issues. The Paradise Arts Alliance was born from this desire to support artists and the town of Paradise.
