News Summary
Sherry Marger, a 78-year-old artist from Newport Beach, is helping wildfire victims through the ‘Homes in Memoriam’ initiative. This project honors homes lost in recent fires, with Marger creating over 29 portraits to support impacted families. Launched by Ashley Miller after losing her own home, the initiative has fulfilled 510 portrait requests, uniting over 150 volunteer artists globally. Marger’s artwork serves as treasured keepsakes for those affected, offering a source of healing and community collaboration.
Newport Beach artist Sherry Marger is using her artistry to support victims of recent wildfires through her involvement in the ‘Homes in Memoriam’ initiative. At 78 years old, Marger has painted in acrylic for decades, drawing inspiration from her travels and experiences. Her garage serves as a personal gallery where she displays her work, which has previously been showcased at local libraries and the John Wayne Airport.
The ‘Homes in Memoriam’ initiative was launched to memorialize homes that were destroyed in the Palisades and Eaton fires. The project was sparked by Ashley Miller, a 24-year-old who lost her family home in January’s wildfires. Seeking a way to assist those impacted, Miller turned to social media to recruit artists willing to contribute their time and skills to create portraits of lost homes. The initiative quickly gained momentum, connecting Miller with interior designer Amy Beemer to optimize resources and expand outreach efforts.
As of now, ‘Homes in Memoriam’ has received 686 requests for portraits, with 510 of those requests successfully fulfilled. The project features a variety of architectural styles, including mid-century homes, Spanish-style bungalows, and Tudor mansions, celebrating the unique identities of the lost residences.
Marger became involved with the project after reading about it in a February article from the Los Angeles Times, recognizing an opportunity to support her community through her art. Despite dealing with limitations due to arthritis, she has completed 29 paintings and is currently working on her 30th piece. Marger uses a light box to trace images from photographs onto watercolor paper to create her portraits.
Each finished painting includes her contact information, inviting recipients to reach out if they wish to have a second portrait made once they have settled into new homes. Marger reports experiencing immense satisfaction from assisting fire victims, noting that she has received heartfelt messages of gratitude from those who received her artwork. One homeowner expressed that Marger’s painting brought them to tears and will have a prominent place in their new home.
The initiative continues to gain traction, with Miller committed to keeping it operational as long as there are families in need of support. Over 150 volunteer artists from across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia have joined the cause, each contributing their artistic talents using mediums such as oil paints, watercolors, and digital art.
To facilitate the distribution of the completed artworks, the project has set up a GoFundMe page to cover shipping costs. Families seeking portraits of their lost homes can request a painting by sending emails or messages on Instagram with specific details and photos of the residences they have lost.
‘Homes in Memoriam’ not only honors the memories of homes that have been lost but also builds a sense of community through collaboration and shared experiences. As the project expands, Marger and her fellow artists continue to provide meaningful keepsakes that play a crucial role in the healing process for those impacted by the fires.
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Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: Artists Offer Free Paintings of Homes Lost to Wildfires
- Wikipedia: Wildfire
- Geib Funeral: Dale Cline Obituary
- Google Search: Artists supporting wildfire victims
- Memorial Funeral Home: Joseph Pascale Obituary
- Google Scholar: Community art projects wildfires
- Ott and Lee: Betty Root Obituary
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Community Service
- Hartsell Funeral Homes: Michael Berg Obituary
- Google News: Art initiatives supporting fire victims
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