News & Updates

Sep 15 2022

Gather 2022 | Thursday, September 15th | 5:30-8:30pm

GATHER 2022 - We came together to give, heal, and empower! Thank you for joining us for an evening filled with tasty treats, drinks, glassblowing, and a silent auction filled with original art and getaways.  To see photos from that evening, please click here. Thursday, September 15th | ...

Aug 06 2020

West Side Mutual Aid

Firebird is located within the East Garfield Park neighborhood of the West Side of Chicago. The students and student interns of our Fireworks teen program collaborated with their instructors to build a list of West Side mutual aid supports. Youth also designed icons to represent the types of...

Jun 15 2020

Our Anti-Racism Action Plan

Things we have done/are doing to dismantle white supremacy: Diversifying our Executive Board from 100% white in 2012 to over half POC currently Prioritizing access of South and West Side youth of color to rarefied art media in schools and in our studio Employing Black and Brown youth...

Jun 03 2020

Black Lives Matter

At Firebird Community Arts, we are struggling along with everyone else about how to think about change. We are discussing our contradictory feelings. We are all shifting wildly between rage, worry, hope, fear, desperation, anxiety, camaraderie.

May 08 2020

#REBIRTH

“In order to rise from its own ashes, a Phoenix first must burn”—Octavia Butler [Enjoy Damon Lock's facebook live Firebird DJ set here while you read]We are all forever changed by our shared global experience. You may be noticing that art — film and tv, music, online drawing...

May 11 2020

Glassblowing Studio Goes Virtual To Help Manage Isolation Anxiety With Art

Block Club Chicago — The art center uses glassblowing and ceramics as a medium for healing trauma.

Jan 27 2020

Artreach Exec. Director Karen Benita Reyes says Chicago is steadfast & sturdy

Vocalo —

Jun 26 2017

NBC Nightly News: These Chicago Teens Are Fighting The City's Gunfire With Fire

NBC Nightly News — Project Fire provides victims of gun violence with employment, mentoring and therapy - all through the process of glass making.

Oct 31 2016

AJ+ Playing With Fire Heals Victims Of Gun Violence

Al Jazeera — Artist Pearl Dick co-founded Project Fire to use glassblowing as therapy for Chicago teens affected by gun violence.

May 19 2020

Chicago Reader: Firebird Community Arts rises from the ashes

The Chicago Reader — The community organization spreads the healing practice of glassblowing and ceramics.

Apr 25 2018

WGN: How victims of gun violence find healing in the flames of glass art

WGN News — Project FIRE combines counseling and glass blowing to give victims of gun violence a chance to heal and express themselves.

Jan 19 2017

PTSD: Beyond Trauma

Canadian Broadcasting Channel —

Aug 11 2017

‘Let this boy make it’

The Washington Post — He’d been shot at 15. Now, amid Chicago’s relentless gunfire, he had one goal: Stay alive.

Jul 15 2015

Project Fire offers peace forged in the flame

The Chicago Reader — A master glassblower and a U. of C. clinical psychologist have developed an unconventional new treatment program for Chicago teens who have experienced violence-related trauma.