After a devastating fire ravaged the St. Joseph Center of Arkansas in March 2019, artist Matthew Billingsley was overcome with grief and loss. The center, where Billingsley had a studio for more than four years, was a creative sanctuary that held a special place in his heart. The fire not only destroyed his art supplies but also left him feeling devastated, particularly when he thought about his daughter’s creative outlet being destroyed as well. The 40-year-old artist had found solace in the St. Joseph Center, which was a hub for 13 artists, including Billingsley. The center offered a space for creativity, inspiration, and connection with like-minded individuals. Billingsley’s studio on the fourth floor was his haven, where he could focus on his art and express himself freely. He often shared his studio with his daughter, who found joy in the center’s open spaces and creative freedom. As the news of the fire spread, Billingsley was filled with a sense of loss and helplessness. He knew he had to act, but his supplies were still inside the off-limits building. In the face of adversity, Billingsley turned to his art as a way to cope. He noticed the charcoal that had been left behind by the fire and was inspired to create a piece using the charred material. With no equipment, no paper, and no experience working with charcoal, Billingsley’s art piece was a spontaneous creation. He used a folding table to hold up his paper and clamped it in place. The charcoal was gathered from the St. Joseph Center’s grounds, and Billingsley began to create. The process was deeply emotional, as he drew upon happy memories of his studio and the people he had met there. The resulting art piece was a poignant representation of the St. Joseph Center, created using the charcoal that was literally beauty from the ashes. Billingsley posted his art on Facebook, and it quickly went viral, with 300 shares and 650 likes. The post was met with an outpouring of support from the local art community, who were eager to help the artists recover. The auction for the art piece, which was started by Billingsley, raised $1,700, with the proceeds going to support the St. Joseph Center and its artists. The experience was a testament to the power of art to bring people together and create something beautiful from adversity. **The Impact of the Fire**
The fire at the St. Joseph Center was a devastating blow to the artists who called it home. The center was not only a physical space but also a community that provided a sense of belonging and creative freedom. The loss of the center and its contents was not only a personal tragedy for Billingsley but also a loss for the entire community. **A New Chapter**
In the aftermath of the fire, the St. Joseph Center began the process of rebuilding and recovery. The center’s executive director, Sandy DeCoursey, worked tirelessly to help the artists find new studios and space to continue their art. The local art community rallied around the center, donating art supplies and resources to support the artists. The experience of Billingsley and the other artists was a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope for a new beginning. The art created from the charcoal of the St. Joseph Center was a testament to the power of creativity and the resilience of the human spirit. **The Artist’s Reflection**
For Billingsley, the experience was not just about creating art from the charcoal but also about finding a way to heal and move forward. The art piece was a reflection of his emotions and a way to process the trauma of the fire. “I was in the car the other day, and my daughter started crying, saying ‘St. Joseph’s,'” Billingsley recalled. “It immediately hit me that that’s been her creative sanctuary. She and her friend have been playing there for basically two years, running the halls and playing hide and seek, and going up to the studio and creating artwork. They’ve done dances and choreographed dance routines, and it’s been her fun, happy place. So that was harder than any thoughts of my stuff being gone or anything like that. That’s probably one of the hardest feelings that I’ve felt about the whole thing.”
The experience of Billingsley and the other artists at the St. Joseph Center was a reminder that art has the power to bring people together and create something beautiful from the ashes of adversity.

“Matthew’s rendering of the St.