History and Background

Naomi Rifkin

In 1998 Naomi Rifkin experienced first hand the power of Process Oriented painting as a student in a class called A Brush with Creativity. In this class Naomi connected to herself in such a profound way she knew that “someday” she would bring this powerful personal development process to communities in need. Process Oriented painting is firmly based on the The Painting Experience and The Point Zero Methods of painting that prioritize art creation as a tool for personal growth, authentic expression, and expanded sense of possibility. Process Oriented painting focuses on the creative process, unlike traditional art methods that concentrates on the products of the artistic process.

In 2003 Naomi began volunteering with an art program that worked with juvenile offenders. She saw how the creative process helped these youth gain a sense of purpose and self-worth. Later that year Naomi’s “someday” came; she founded Brush Fire, volunteering her time to bring Process Oriented painting classes to underserved youth. Also that year Brush Fire became a fiscally sponsored project of Intersection for the Arts.
Eventually, as word spread about Brush Fire, the project acquired contracts with local schools and service providers. Four years later, Brush Fire’s art curriculum has reached over 300 youth all over San Francisco. The program is funded by individual donations, community and school contracts, and by in-kind donations-including the time of a cadre of committed workshop volunteers.