Forces of Nature

About the Program

Category: Arts, Culture and Historic Preservation (Best in Category)

Year: 2013

How can we respond to disaster in positive ways and harness the inspiring power of art in support of public resources and services? Answers are found in the story of Forces of Nature. In 2012, the Los Angeles County Arboretum presented an exhibition featuring magnificent art made from fallen trees. Called Forces of Nature, the exhibition was an essential part of a larger effort to raise money to replace trees lost in a devastating wind storm. The storm, the most severe on record, struck the Arboretum on November 30, 2011, destroying or damaging over 800 trees. In March 2012, the Arboretum distributed wood from fallen trees to Los Angeles area artists, with the understanding that the resulting art would be contributed to a charity auction to be held on the one-year anniversary of the storm. On November 30, 2012, over 90 artists returned incredibly beautiful art, ranging from masterfully turned bowls to massive sculptures made from whole logs that could be moved only with a fork-lift. Over 500 people attended the opening reception and auction, with over $30,000 raised. Forces of Nature was instrumental in anchoring the larger fundraising effort, which to date has raised over $187,000.