OAKHURST, CA – An art exhibit inspired by one of Yosemite National Park’s most anticipated natural phenomena will open in Oakhurst this February, offering visitors a chance to experience the beauty and complexity of the Horsetail Firefall through the eyes of regional artists.
Valley of Light, Horsetail Firefall will be on display at the Yosemite Gateway Art Center from February 7 through March 1, 2026. The show features photography and paintings by regional artists, along with a special video installation by artist Mari W. A closing reception is scheduled for Saturday, February 28, from 3 to 5 p.m.
Each year in February, when snowpack, temperature, and clear-sky conditions align, Horsetail Fall pours over the eastern edge of El Capitan and is illuminated by the setting sun. For a brief window of time, the waterfall appears to glow—sometimes subtly, sometimes in shades of orange reminiscent of molten embers. Once a little-known occurrence, the phenomenon has grown into a global attraction, drawing photographers and visitors from around the world who hope to witness and capture the fleeting moment.
The exhibit also explores the historical roots of the term “Firefall” in Yosemite. The original Firefall was a manmade event at Glacier Point, where park employees ignited a bonfire and pushed glowing embers over the rim of the cliff after a caller shouted, “Let the Fire Fall.” The spectacle, which ran for decades, ended in 1968 amid growing concerns about environmental damage, crowd impacts, and the appropriateness of staging artificial attractions in a protected landscape.
Today’s Horsetail Fall Firefall is entirely natural, but it, too, raises concerns about the pressures placed on Yosemite Valley during peak viewing periods. Heavy traffic, trampling of sensitive meadows, trash, and human waste have all been reported in areas already stressed by high visitation. The exhibit addresses both the wonder of the event and the responsibility that comes with experiencing it.
In a statement accompanying the show, Mari W. reflects on the meaning behind the project:
“Once a year, nature graces us with one of its many moments of magic. As the sun begins to set, it lights the water for a few minutes as it flows over the rim of El Capitan creating a few ephemeral moments of awe and beauty.
Those who come to watch should remember that Yosemite is a place where life, light and magic live year-round. Plants, animals, mountains… everything is alive. It is not your house. You are a guest, a visitor in a sacred place.
As the light dims away, we leave. Our lives move on. But in this Valley of Light, in the home of all that reside here, life continues. The animals and plants continue their journey into spring. I hope this exhibit encourages people to see wonder all around them, and to treat this special place, with all the gifts it has to offer, with respect.”
By combining visual art with reflection on history and stewardship, Valley of Light, Horsetail Firefall aims to deepen public appreciation for Yosemite’s natural processes while encouraging thoughtful and respectful visitation.
The Yosemite Gateway Art Center is located at 40982 Highway 41 in Oakhurst. For more information, call 559-683-5551 or visit www.ygac.org.
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