Kenwood restaurant to commemorate fires with art installation

Tips Roadside to commission art installation|

Andrew and Susie Pryfogle, owners of Tips Roadside in Kenwood, are commissioning an original art installation that will memorialize the fires that raged through the Sonoma Valley in October. They are reaching out to residents of the Valley who lost their homes in hopes of helping them heal by sharing a piece of their stories.

“In driving around the Valley and meeting so many who lost everything, I came to realize how precious the smallest of items might be to someone, some item from their home that tells a piece of their story,” said Susie Pryfogle. “I’ve read about people combing through the ashes of their homes and finding a broken plate or burned out picture frame that triggers a memory. What may have at one time seemed to be an ordinary everyday possession now holds tremendous sentimental value. It occurred to me that it could be a wonderful thing to collect such items from the entire community and have a local artist use those items to create a permanent art installation that celebrates those memories and celebrates the resilient spirit of this amazing community.”

Tips Roadside is accepting proposals from local artists who want to turn donated items into an original work of art. The Pryfogles will be making a final selection from submitted proposals and commissioning the work. The final result will be given a permanent home at Tips Roadside, at the corner of Adobe Canyon and Highway 12 in Kenwood.

Residents interested in contributing an item for this project should call Susie Pryfogle at 509-0078 or stop by Tips Roadside offices located on the rear of the property at 8445 Sonoma Highway. Items might include everyday household items, metal, wood, signs, small automotive parts, etc.

Tips Roadside is currently in the middle of a major renovation of the former Vineyard’s Inn Restaurant with a projected opening of Spring 2018. Much attention is being given to using reclaimed materials from the previous restaurant so that the history of this institution can be preserved.

“There are so many memories wrapped up in the history of this building that we want to honor,” said Andrew Pryfogle. “While we needed to bring the building up to code and make it more functional year-round, we also wanted to reuse as much as we could. So we’re repurposing beautiful old redwood and pine lumber, displaying one of the original pumps from its days as the local gas station, and even preserving a section of the vine that used to wind its way through the ceiling of the former patio room. Adding locals’ own stories to the permanent story of this building just feels right to us.”

Tips Roadside is intended to be a community eatery and bar where neighbors can gather to share their stories over a hot plate of comfort food and a cold beverage. “With this art project, we want to be able to celebrate the collective spirit of this community,” added Susie. “We’ve been amazed by people’s generosity and selflessness and resilience. We want to remind visitors and locals alike, for many years to come, about how this community rose up from the ashes, stronger than ever.”

Artists should submit their proposals to 8445 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, CA 95452. Include a detailed description of your vision along with an artist’s rendition. Finalists will be notified by the end of December, and a winner awarded by the end of January.

For more information, contact Susie Pryfogle at 509-0078 or email at susie@tipsroadside.com.

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