Document text
Talent photographer donates art to Almeda fire survivors By Jim Flint for the Tidings Feb 03, 2021 09:06 PM A A When some of the hundreds of families who lost their homes and belongings in the Almeda fire began to find housing, Talent resident and photographer Matt Witt decided to offer free art for their walls to help lift their spirits. The owner of Matt Witt Photography made available 70 striking images from his massive collection of photos depicting nature’s beauty. Fire survivors can request one of the images, which Witt will print, frame and donate. The limited offer ends Sunday. Almeda fire victims who are still in the Rogue Valley can request a framed photograph online at http://bit.ly/FireSurvivors. There they will find instructions, a form to fill out, and a link to a web page where they can view the 70 available images. The offer is limited to one photograph per household. The framed photos are available in one of two sizes: 12-by-18 inches or 8-by-12 inches. On the night of Sept. 8, Witt and his wife, Linda, were evacuated from their home with flames reaching high into the night sky not far away. “We knew that whether we had a home to come back to would depend on the whim of wind direction and nothing more,” Witt said. “As it turns out, we were spared, but I will never forget that feeling.” Since the fire, many people have stepped up to help — offering a place to stay, donating food and clothing, or volunteering in other ways. Witt’s photo art project is a partnership with Rogue Action Center and Rogue Climate. The two organizations have helped with outreach and distribution of the photos. Witt donates his time to print and frame the images. An arts grant from the Haines and Friends Fund helps pay for out-of-pocket expenses for materials. “I know that art for bare walls is a ‘frill’ right now, compared to making sure everyone has affordable housing to come back to,” Witt said. “But I’m grateful to everyone who has helped with this project, just to let our neighbors know we are all there for each other.” Since the morning after the fire, Rogue Action Center and Rogue Climate have operated mutual aid relief centers, now consolidated at a Shoppes at Exit 24 storefront in Phoenix. The center is still serving up to 800 families per week with food, clothing and other necessities. Most of the people who requested photos have picked them up at the center. More than 150 framed photos have been donated to date. Of the 70 images Witt offered from his collection, 47 different photos have been chosen so far. They include close-up details of nature, big landscapes, birds, wildlife, mountains, deserts, the seacoast, and images from the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. “I started taking photographs years ago to bring home memories from backpacking trips all around the West,” Witt said. “But I have really taken it seriously for the past 15 years.” When he goes hiking or backpacking, he tries to see what’s interesting to photograph at that particular place and time, rather than imposing a predetermined photographic agenda. “Most often, I find myself focusing on details, juxtapositions and textures. I try to create uncluttered images that show nature’s beauty with fresh eyes.” Recipients of the framed photos have expressed their appreciation to Witt. Here are a few comments he has received: “My husband and I lived in Whispering Pines and lost everything but the clothes on our backs. I can’t thank you enough.” “I saw your print of a bear cub and burst into tears, because one of the pieces of artwork that we lost was a print of a grizzly that was in the house I grew up in. Your photo is going to be cherished.” “I’m so excited about this. I lost all of my great-grandmother’s paintings.” The photographs are for fire survivors only. Those whose housing wasn’t affected by the fire can support the project by making a donation to the Rogue Action Center or by purchasing a print at mattwittphotography.com before Feb. 7. Proceeds will go directly toward relief efforts. You can reach Ashland writer Jim Flint at [email protected] . Matt Witt Photography is offering Almeda fire survivors prints of his work, such as this perennial photographed at Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, crossroads of the Cascade, Klamath and Siskiyou mountain ranges. Courtesy photo. Matt Witt Photography is offering Almeda fire survivors framed prints of his work, such as this photo taken in Lassen Volcanic National Park, California. Courtesy photo.