While the foundation’s formation comes at a time when many local nonprofits are reporting dwindling donations, Sharkey said the struggling economy motivates her.
“In a tough economy, why not start a foundation, get it all into place, and hopefully as things start turning around, we will be ready to go with something to help Glendale parks,” she said.
Marc Stirdivant, a senior administrative analyst for the Community Services & Parks Department, said many cities have created similar foundations.
“It’s exciting for us to have something come online in Glendale as we face all of these challenges in the economy,” said Stirdivant, who serves as a city representative on the foundation’s board.
For its first fundraiser, the foundation will partner with local nonprofit Art from the Ashes to create an exhibition benefiting the restoration and rehabilitation of Deukmejian Wilderness Park.
The park has been closed to the public since last year’s Station fire, which scorched nearly all of the park’s 709 acres, leaving most of its trails unsafe.
Scheduled to span several weeks in June, the exhibition will showcase art created from debris and ash gathered from Deukmejian’s scorched landscape.
More than 40 artists have agreed to donate artwork to the exhibition, which will take place somewhere in downtown Glendale, organizers said.
All art on display will be available for sale, and donations will also be accepted.
“You hear people over and over say there’s nothing left,” said local Glendale artist Joy Feuer, who founded Art from the Ashes in 2007. “That’s just so final. (Artists) can take something that is debris and transfigure it into one-of-a-kind works of art.”
