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.
Making A Difference In Your Community? Apply For LISC’s Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards
Block Club Chicago — Firebird Community Arts in Garfield Park was among the groups that received a special grant from LISC after the previous awards were canceled because of the pandemic.
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.
Firebird Community Arts rises from the ashes
The Chicago Reader — The community organization spreads the healing practice of glassblowing and ceramics.
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.
#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...
PSA on Philanthropy and Charitable Giving
This “Public Service Announcement on Philanthropy and Charitable Giving” is a guide that explains many of the common misconceptions about giving to nonprofits, and how you can adjust your giving strategy to have the biggest impact.
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.
PTSD: Beyond Trauma
Canadian Broadcasting Channel — Canadian Broadcasting Corporation documentary PTSD: Beyond Trauma profiles Project FIRE and the creative approach to trauma recovery.
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.