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The Project
California State Parks publicized the opportunity for artists to join CASPBA (California State Parks Backpacking Adventures) staff in the spring of 2023 and received over 80 applicants from artists of a wide variety of mediums. Through collaboration with local universities, artist communities, and cooperating associations like Mountain Parks Foundation and Parks California, 18 artists were selected to participate in this unique opportunity.
During their June 3-4, 2023 backpacking trip, “Art Aboutists,” as they came to be called, had the opportunity to learn from California State Park experts in fire ecology and Big Basin history and enjoy guided recreational experiences in the park. Around the campfire in the evening, artists were joined by members of the local Indigenous community, park historians, interpreters, and California State Parks Director Armando Quintero. This community laid the foundation for deep and meaningful discussions surrounding Big Basin’s past, present, and future, with a focus on our goals of equity and sustainability. As a result of their experience, artists created a unique art piece in their preferred medium, be it music, poetry, painting, sketching, ceramics, wood carving, or mixed multimedia projects.
On June 15, 2024, the Art Aboutists' finished art pieces were displayed in Big Basin at Art in the Park, a well-attended and well-received special event for the public. Selections of the art will soon be temporarily displayed at local institutions in Santa Cruz County.
A banana slug making its way across the forest floor in Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Background
Big Basin Redwoods State Park is California's oldest state park, established in 1902, and is home to some of the largest and oldest redwood trees in the world. These trees have been standing for centuries and have survived natural disasters, fires, and human impact.
Unfortunately on August 16, 2020, during a dry lightning storm in the Santa Cruz Mountains, a wildfire began that would leave a lasting impact on the park. Big Basin Redwoods State Park suffered greatly from the impacts of the CZU Lightning Complex Fire, with 97% of the park burned and the landscape and infrastructure of the park changed for generations to come.
Since re-opening the park on July 20, 2022, Big Basin has continued to feel the wrath of a changing climate through flooding and landslides, caused by atmospheric rivers in early January 2023, and fallen trees, due to high winds and saturated landscapes. Despite these challenges, California State Parks has remained committed to serving the public through equitable and sustainable access to Big Basin Redwoods’ natural, cultural, and historic resources.
Pictured below: Pacific Giant Salamander crawling amongst the leaf litter on the forest floor of Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Artists' Experiences
During their experience, artists had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of Big Basin and gain inspiration from the majestic redwoods, tranquil creeks, and vibrant wildlife. Artists had the chance to meet and connect with fellow artists, share their work, and collaborate on new projects.
When asked about her experience, participating fiber artist Laura Fogg commented, “I approached Big Basin State Park under a gloomy cloud of my own creation, thinking I would be swamped in a storm of heavy “D-words” like devastation, disaster and destruction. The big surprise for me turned out to be the other side of that real and undeniably sad story… I found myself surrounded by health. Almost all of the blackened redwood trunks are now bristling with stubby new branches and putting out rings of vigorous new clones around their roots. The abundance of wildflowers on the newly sunlit slopes is almost overwhelming, and there are multiple species of birds going about their noisy business, obviously finding what they need to sustain themselves in this re-growing forest.”
Book artist Donna Thomas shared “I was impressed by the park’s focus of looking at the best ways to have a lighter footprint, to increase equitable access to the park, its dedication to understanding the science of the ecological processes, and its desire to make it relevant for all of our different cultures.”
We hope that these artists' connections to Big Basin will help to create inspired pieces that will help the public to gain a deeper understanding of this unique moment in Big Basin’s history as we transition from devastation to inspiration and explore the loss and longing that we all experience when visiting Big Basin Redwoods State Park.