Wildfires have transformed communities across California, leaving behind not only altered landscapes but lasting emotional, cultural, and personal impacts. In The After, a collaborative initiative led by 18th Street Arts Center, brings together artists, wildfire survivors, community organizations, and neighbors to explore creative pathways toward healing, resilience, and collective restoration.
Through storytelling, art-making, and shared experiences, In The After creates space to honor what has been lost, document what remains, and imagine what comes next. The project centers the voices and lived experiences of those directly impacted by the Palisades and Eaton fires, using creative practice as a tool for connection, remembrance, and community care.
In The After brings together artists Cara Levine, Felix Massey, Miguel Rivera, and Nicole Rademacher to explore how art, storytelling, and collective care can support wildfire recovery and community resilience. During the launch, Cara Levine will introduce her Silverlinings project, sharing the process behind the work through a conversation, Q&A, and live demonstration. Filmmaker Felix Massey will present selections from Through The Smoke, his documentary project capturing the immediate aftermath of the Palisades Fire, followed by a Q&A with special guests. Miguel Rivera will guide the gathering as host, opening and closing the program and helping connect the afternoon’s conversations, artists, and community voices. Nicole Rademacher will introduce her upcoming Still Here workshops, a series launching next year.