Fire destroys Red Barn Collective’s studios at Folsom Boulevard Flea Market
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
A fire at the Folsom Boulevard Flea Market destroyed five studios belonging to the Red Barn Collective, wiping out years of work and a gathering place for Sacramento-area artists and musicians.
Flames and thick smoke tore through the building Friday as LiveCopter 3 captured video of the fire from above. Members of the collective said they rushed to retrieve what they could, but much of their property remained inaccessible.
“A lot of stuff is still in there that we wish we could access, but everything’s closed,” collective member Anthony O’Brien said. “We don’t really have a choice in the matter.”
O’Brien said he initially misunderstood a text message telling him about the fire.
“I got a text, and I was like, ‘Really on fire? You mean metaphorically? Like, we’re on fire — the next show is going to be great?’” O’Brien said. “No, it was a literal fire.”
The Red Barn Collective was created as a place where artists could perform, display their work and connect with others without facing financial barriers.
“Our whole goal was to create something that artists from all over Sacramento could feel at home and just come create and not have to worry about paying money,” O’Brien said.
Over more than three years, the collective expanded one room at a time until it operated five studios. Members hosted free art and music events nearly every weekend. The fire destroyed artwork, antiques, music equipment and other property.
Logan Vicars helped found the collective and said many of the items cannot be replaced.
“Everything we had in our stores was completely unique,” Vicars said. “It was either an antique that just won’t be made again or local art that was kind of one of a kind, and you really can’t put a number on it.”
Vicars estimated the financial loss could reach tens of thousands of dollars, but said the emotional value of the space and its contents is impossible to calculate.
“We’re devastated, but we’re hopeful,” Vicars said. “We started from nothing.”
Community members and local businesses are now helping the collective continue its work. Jalapeños, a restaurant in Midtown Sacramento, has offered its space so the group can continue its Sunday live music series.
“Jalapeños has been great to us,” O’Brien said. “For now, the live music series is going to be hosted there until we figure something out.”
The collective’s long-term goal is to find a new permanent home. Vicars encouraged people to share the group’s story, attend its shows and contact the collective about potential collaborations.
“If artists want to work with us, please get in contact,” Vicars said. “We’re trying to really spread and help as many folks as we can, even during this time.”
The Sacramento Fire Department is investigating the cause of the fire. Collective members said they are also working through insurance and cleanup questions.
Information about donations, performances and other ways to help is available through the Red Barn Collective’s social media pages.
If you’d like to donate to their GoFundMe, click here.
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