Up from the Ashes

A collection of stories about the Echo Mountain Complex Fire and its aftermath will be told through story, image and objects in the Upstairs Gallery at the Newport Visual Arts Center from Saturday, Sept. 3, through the end of October.

The exhibit, “Up From the Ashes” will honor and share the stories while exploring the human conditions of grief, loss, healing, regrowth, compassion and selflessness in the face of the fire, which swept through the community of Otis in September 2020.

The impact on the lives of so many community members is immense and continues to be a struggle even two years later. This exhibit strives to tell and preserve these stories and also to show the shimmering light of hope and rebirth and how far this brave and resilient community has come. It includes objects pulled out of the ashes and photography by Bruce MacGregor, who approached the project with all of his heart and skill to capture some very powerful moments.

When the exhibit concludes, all of the stories, much of the photography and some of the items from the fire will be donated to the North Lincoln County Historical Museum for preservation and a future exhibit.

The Newport Visual Arts Center is located at 777 NW Beach Drive and is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 4 pm. For more information, go to coastarts.org or call 541-265-6540.