COMMUNITY PROJECT

Natalie is working with community members impacted by the Pacific Palisades fires through the Pacific Palisades Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library and the Library Foundation of Los Angeles. As the initial phase of the project, they are collecting oral histories from community members who wish to share their stories, including those who lost their residences in the fires, those who worked or attended school in the community, the unhoused population, library patrons, and business owners. These stories, along with images of the native flora and fauna of the area, will serve as inspiration for a collection of images that will form the basis of a collaborative mixed-media artwork to be gifted to the Pacific Palisades library, with the hope that it will be displayed in the new building once reconstruction is complete. The collaborative artwork will be created through workshops with the community, including embroidery and crochet circles, printmaking workshops, and discussion circles. These workshops will be for all ages, with a focus on young adults. Additionally, excerpts of the stories and artwork will be compiled into a zine to share with the community members to keep. An archive of recorded conversations will be organized to share with LAPL for their archives. Many members of the Palisades community who lost their homes will be unable to return due to economic challenges, such as a lack of insurance coverage and inflation. Due to the loss of homes employing domestic workers and businesses, over 20,000 people have lost their jobs in the community, creating a ripple effect of loss beyond the neighborhood. Preserving the stories of a variety of community members will highlight the true effects of this disaster and highlight the disparities facing our region.