Fire Kinship: Southern California Native Ecology and Art at Fowler Museum

Fire Kinship: Southern California Native Ecology and Art opens at the Fowler Museum on January 12, 2025, and runs until July 13, 2025. This exhibition emphasizes the knowledge of Tongva, Cahuilla, Luiseño, and Kumeyaay communities through a diverse collection of objects, stories, and contemporary artworks that advocate for a resurgence of Native ecological practices, particularly around fire. Curated by Daisy Ocampo Diaz, Michael Chavez, and Lina Tejeda, the exhibition challenges conventional perceptions of fire and highlights its role as a vital component of cultural and environmental sustainability. Collaborations with prominent community leaders enrich the narrative, showcasing how traditional practices can inform modern ecological stewardship.