REBECCA ANDERS
Rebecca is an Oakland, California-based thingmaker who focuses on the strange, ironic aspects of human society within the global biome. Her works are metal and mixed media sculpture, ranging from hand-held to forty feet tall. She has worked extensively with community-based organizations such as the Flaming Lotus Girls and the Flux Foundation, as a designer, organizer, and construction lead. A Burner since 1997, Anders has contributed to 16 installations and art cars at Burning Man.
CATHRYN "CATBIRD" BLUM
Raised in Denver, but a San Francisco gal for more than 35 years, Catbird had her first Burning Man experience on Baker Beach in 1989. Since then she’s made the dusty trek to the Black Rock Desert fifteen times, beginning in 1998. She’s been part of a diverse number of projects, including the Dust City Diner (2008 & 2010), The Temple of Flux (2010), several Flaming Lotus Girls projects, Tympani Lambada (2011), Xylophage (2013), and Peter Hudson’s zoetrope, Eternal Return (2014). She believes that you always catch more flies with honey than with vinegar…
CHERYL FRALICK
I am an eleven-year Veteran of the Playa who has helped build with FLG, Flux Foundation, Fish Bug, Playa Flies, Koosh Comet, and other assorted art cars and projects. Many happy memories, many fun adventures, and think being part of an art crew is the best! Temple of Flux in 2010 was an amazing build and crew; we all fell in love with each other. Secret weapon? Really, really bad jokes, sometimes really naughty ones. Special talent? Cat wrangling and herding turtles. I’m from the stars, and my guilty pleasure is wearing capes.
DON CAIN
Don is a founding member of the Department of Spontaneous Combustion. Known for creating spectacular metal based kinetic fire art, and for a willingness to share knowledge and skills so others can do the same. Over the last 15 years he has participated in, built or burned – 3 art cars, giant trike, numerous flame effects, Fishbug, Chester, Temple of Flux, BrollyFlock, Zoa and Mens Amplio. Not bad for an ex-soldier/ex-police officer turned artist…
JEFF BUSH
Born and raised in Texas, I have been to Burning Man eight times and involved in building large-scale art for five of those years. The first large-scale project that I worked on was the Temple of Flux in 2010, wherein I met our fearless leader, Rebecca Anders. I was hooked and have been part of other people’s projects every year since, as well leading a project of my own in 2014. There is great satisfaction being a part of something bigger than myself, and the solid community that I have found with others who like to build things and show them off.
JEN "SPIRAL" JACKSON
I first hit the playa in '03 but go only when moved. This year, my 7th, is all about FANG and bringing my (newly married!) husband out for his first time. Special talents include ninja skills catching falling objects, training my cat (she goes on the toilet!), and making cookies disappear. I was born in Florida and manifestdestinied myself all the way to the Left Coast, never looking back. Illumacanth will be my 7th big metal art project - look for some of the best welds on the playa with this one!
JULES little wing MANCILLA
This will be my sixth year on the playa. Illumancanth will be my fifth Burning Man art collaboration. Temple crews 2012 and 2014 hold a special place in my heart. My secret weapon is laughter even in blinding dust storms. I'm really good at making a good meal out of whatever's in the cooler, while dancing. I sing in a band called, "Car and Shower". They tell me I was born on planet Earth, but I was reborn on Burn Night 2010. My guilty pleasure is pranks.
JUNE DZIEDZIC
This will be my 21st year on playa, making my Burning Man experience old enough to be legal drinking age. Over the years, I’ve been involved with numerous Bay Area groups creating art for Burning Man including The Department of Spontaneous Combustion, The Flaming Lotus Girls, and Flux Foundation. Illumacanth with be the 9th big art installation that I’ve contributed to. For me, brining art to the playa has always been a highlight of my Burning Man experience. I have great memories from the projects I’ve worked on and I’ve been inspired by the many talented and creative people I’ve met.
MASHA OGUINSKAIA
Born and raised in Moscow, Russia and lucky to live in the Bay Area now, I spend most of my time herding pixels and wrangling code to create beautiful things online. For my seven Playa trips so far I worked on multiple projects including Lepidodgera art car, Zoa, and Mens Amplio, and learned that power tools are great and that problem solving skills are rather universal. I believe that sense of humor is a remedy for many ills and apply it liberally.
PAUL DAVID
Raised by sarcastic wolves on the East Coast, Paul David is an Oakland resident since the beginning of the century. An accomplished painter and sculptor and proud dad, Paul is a metal fabricator by day. He has made solo art installations and contributed to numerous group projects at Burning Man since 2005.
POE SHOWALTER
The greatest sunrises of my life happened on the playa. Like characters from Hitchhiker's Guide on an alien landscape we were motley, amazed, and connected. This will be my twelfth year. People trust me for no reason. I try to live up to that trust, mostly. I think it is because I have a figure like Budai. I have empathy with machines, particularly electronic ones. The points of my moral compass are Elegance, Compassion, Truth and Hedonism.
STERLING STUBBLEFIELD
Iowa born gentleman, who’s been going to Burning Man for fourteen years. I can weld, am a problem solver and fabricator. Worked on projects with Flaming Lotus Girls (Tympani Lambada and Xylophage), Ardent (Syzygryd) , and Flux Foundation (Zoa and Carousel).