Stories, Impact, & News
Showing Our Work
At Firebird, we're makers, thinkers, and community builders. Our work takes two forms: the art you can see and hold, and the harder-to-measure work of building trust, connection, and belonging in Chicago.
This blog is where we share both. Finished pieces and works in progress. Answers we're confident in and questions we're still sitting with.
Remember getting credit in math class for showing your work, even when the answer wasn't perfect? That's the spirit here. We don't have everything figured out, but we're committed to learning in public, and we'd love for you to be part of the conversation.
Welcome to Showing Our Work.
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.
‘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.
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.
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.
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.