Burning Man Honoraria 2026

Dusty Heart

Tumbleweed Soul

Calli Beck · Santa Fe, NM · 2026

A 10-foot stainless steel tumbleweed, burning from the inside, with a hand crank so it can tumble in place. A handcrafted covered wagon stacked with piñon firewood. A fire pit big enough to gather round with friends and strangers and tell tales. Together they make a nomadic desert camp that appeared out of nowhere on the open playa. Hopefully we'll be out past the temple, away from the sound camps, in the dark.

Build kicks off in June. Match the grant before the welders fire up.

$25,000 grant $5,800 raised $19,200 to go

Dusty Heart is supported in part by a grant from Burning Man Project.

Donate to the Build Learn More

Next Up

Another gathering, this July.

The June barbecue was a blast. Thanks to everyone who came out and threw down. We're cooking up the next one for July at the shop. Flyer, date, and details landing soon.

When July 2026 Date coming soon
Where Stark Raven Fabrication 3812 Oliver Dr, Santa Fe, NM

About

Dusty Heart

Tumbleweed Soul · BRC 2026

Dusty Heart is a 10-foot stainless steel tumbleweed burning from the inside, paired with a covered wagon stacked with piñon and a custom fire pit with talon feet.

The feeling is less spectacle, more encounter: a fire you sit with. Something half-myth, half-memory, out past the temple and (hopefuly) away from the sound camps.

Project Snapshot

Structure: 10-foot stainless steel tumbleweed
Fire effect: internal fire glow / burn-from-within feeling
Interactive effect: turn the crank to make the structure "tumble"
Supporting scene: pioneer wagon, piñon, custom fire pit
Location mood: quiet desert, distant from sound camps

Concept Drawings

Dusty Heart concept drawing primary view

Early sketches, collage studies, and concept drawings for Dusty Heart.

Dusty Heart concept drawing alternate composition

The Build

A Fire You Sit With

Follow our build progress on Instagram!

Crew

The People Behind It

Lead Artist & Fabricator

Calli Beck

Calli is a multidisciplinary artist and owner of Stark Raven Fabrication, whose work draws on symbolism and an internally built mythos. Her installations create immersive environments that invite viewers into moments of reflection and personal meaning.

She has worked on several notable Burning Man projects, including "Facing the Fearbeast", helping translate ambitious concepts into physical form on the playa. Dusty Heart originates from her own artistic vision, brought to life through the collaborative work of her team at Stark Raven.

Fabricator & Multimedia Artist

Ivy Waegel

Ivy Waegel is a multimedia artist and fabricator working in fabric, wood, and reclaimed material. Their work sits between theater, decoration, and performance, ranging from tattoos to wooden spoons to semi-puppetable bug costumes built entirely from reused material. In their off hours, Ivy sews quilts, plans interactive free events, and is scheming to one day co-own a community workshop and event space.

Artist, Fabricator & Educator

James W. Johnson

James W. Johnson is a multidisciplinary artist, fabricator, and Executive Director of Make Santa Fe, where he's helped grow the organization into a creative hub for artists, makers, and educators. With a background in theater arts, scenic design, and emerging technologies, his work blends traditional crafts with electronics, fabrication, and environmental design.

James believes creative practice should be accessible and participatory. It's a philosophy that fits Dusty Heart squarely: a piece built to be sat with, not just looked at.

Fire Safety Lead

Will

Will leads fire safety for Dusty Heart, making sure the burn happens on our terms and everyone goes home with their eyebrows.

Project Manager

Vanessa

Vanessa is the project manager for Stark Raven Fabrication, keeping schedules, fundraising, and socials on track so the rest of the crew can focus on making things out of steel. Personal mission for this build: convincing the whole crew to get matching tumbleweed tattoos.

Give

Fuel the Burn

Burning Man backed Dusty Heart with a $25,000 Honoraria grant. Help us match it and bring back some perks for your support.

Fund the Tumbleweed

See who's backing the build on Crowdfundr.

Burning tumbleweed enamel pin — Enamel Pin

Dusty Heart sticker collection — Sticker Set

Engraved nameplate on the installation — Name on the Build