Signal Fire provides opportunities for artists and creative agitators to engage in the natural world. Our projects instill self-reliance, catalyze creative energy, and invite interdisciplinary collaboration. We lead backpacking trips, canoe expeditions, and unique outdoor residencies for all outdoor experience levels. We utilize public lands to advocate for the protection of our remaining wild and open places.
Signal Fire was formed in 2008 as a collaboration between activist Amy Harwood and artist Ryan Pierce. Since then, Signal Fire has hosted over 200 writers, filmmakers, visual artists, musicians, performers, researchers, and creative agitators. Along with leading trips throughout the American West, we have hosted exhibits and events, published an annual journal Leaf Litter, and maintained a growing community of alumni artists. In 2013 Signal Fire implemented Wide Open Studios, an arts and ecology field program with college-level curriculum.