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Rebecca Burghardt, a self-portrait, 1996
The Touched by Fire Program
Touched By Fire is a program to stimulate and celebrate the work created by artists with mood disorders. (There are many such artists well known in art history, from Michelangelo to van Gogh, Gauguin to Georgia O’Keefe.) The program has two complementary features: an annual week-long show, held every year November, and this online virtual gallery.
Touched By Fire is a non-profit program dedicated to promoting and celebrating the works of artists with mood disorders. It is supported by public contributions, chief among them a major grant from Raymond James, the international financial investment firm. Peter Kahnert, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Communications at Raymond James, has said:
“We wanted to support Touched By Fire for two key reasons. First, we believe deeply in the importance of supporting the arts in Canada. Second, this is an opportunity for Raymond James to support individuals and families who live with the many challenges surrounding mood disorders. Touched By Fire is a celebration of talented artists, but it is also a reminder to all of us, that there is hope and help for those affected by mood disorders.”
Rebecca Burghardt
Rebecca Burghardt was blessed with true artistic talent. Like many others, she displayed her skill early, and in several media – and in her early twenties, Rebecca was admitted to the prestigious School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
But Rebecca also had an illness that made her life a constant struggle. She suffered from severe bipolar disorder, and was hospitalized dozens of times while in the depths of depression or the euphoric fantasies of mania. Gradually, the demons in her life overcame the happy times and the creative moments. In July 2005, Rebecca chose to end the battle by taking her own life.
Family and friends were devastated – but also, they were determined to continue Rebecca’s struggle, seeking happier pathways for others with similar talents and similar problems. Rebecca’s illness had already led her father, John Burghardt, to become deeply involved as a communications volunteer with the Mood Disorders Association of Ontario. The family decided to make a bequest to MDAO in Rebecca’s name.
John met with Karen Liberman, Executive Director of MDAO, and Rebecca DiFilippo, Editor/Publisher of Moods Magazine, seeking to build not just a memorial, but a road forward against mood disorders. The result is Touched By Fire.
John Burghardt also describes his feelings about Touched By Fire:
“Our family and Rebecca’s good friends are hugely behind this program. It’s wonderful to work with a remarkable organization like the Mood Disorders Association: when they see a need, they roll up their sleeves and make it happen. When Touched By Fire had its debut at the Gladstone in November 2007, Rebecca’s work was there – and in so many important ways, she was there too. This is a legacy of hope, and accomplishment, and overcoming the demons – as dozens of Ontario artists are proudly demonstrating to all of us.”
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