Denare Beach residents share wildfire recovery through art

Two Denare Beach women are transforming wildfire debris into art, sharing stories of loss, healing and resilience. Wayne Mantyka has the story.

Losing everything was devastating for Denare Beach residents affected by the massive Wolf Fire, but some are now turning that loss into art as part of a healing process.

A new exhibit at the legislative building called Transformed by Fire features items recovered from the ruins of homes and cabins destroyed during the wildfire.

“It destroyed 240 something homes, cabins and basically there was so little left,” said Denare Beach area resident Jan Modler.

Some residents returned to their properties after the fire and discovered a handful of belongings that survived. Those items became part of the exhibit now on display at the Cumberland Gallery.

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“The exhibit talks about the items in the fire that were changed and transformed but it also talks about our lives that were transformed and our whole environment. Our homes, our forest, all the environment around us. It has changed,” she said.

Members of Saskatchewan’s legislature attended the opening of the exhibit and reflected on the message behind the artwork.

“It’s also the time to rebuild and a time for renewal and for people just to come to terms with what has happened and to look forward to the new,” said Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Alana Ross.

For some residents, creating and sharing artwork has helped process the emotional toll left behind by the wildfire.

“It was very emotional, but it was also kind of cleansing a little bit to try to speak through my artwork rather than my voice,” said Denare Beach resident Donna Champagne.

Residents involved in the exhibit hope the display will help the public and government better understand the destruction caused by wildfires and the importance of being prepared for future disasters.