Local artist looks to help wildfire victims through 'Resilience & Refuge' art show

When Laura Loescher was offered her first art showcase in the summer, she had no idea what would soon befall Southern Oregon. After wildfires displaced thousands in the Rogue Valley, Loescher established the Community Resilience Flow Fund, which has together raised and distributed over $100,000 to fire victims. Now, she's merged the effort with her artistic talents to drive even more funds toward wildfire recovery.

"When the show time was coming up I realized I wanted to extend that fundraising capacity to support fire relief efforts, particularly for really underserved communities," Loescher said. "Folks that aren't getting to access FEMA and some of the other mainstream dollars that are coming in."

The types of art up for sale include canvas prints and photo prints as well as Loescher's personal earth altars, all inspired by wildfire recovery efforts.

The show has been ongoing since November 6th and will continue to be active through December. So far it has raised $2000 and is aiming to raise $5000. All profits will be donated to support wildfire victims, with funds distributed either as cash gifts or through their partners like Rogue Action Center, Unete, and Longer-Term Secure Short-Term Housing Mission.

"Being able to give people actual cash rather than a voucher, it says like 'I trust you that you know what you need for yourself and your family.' That's been my focus all along," Loescher said.

The prints are housed in the gallery space at Ashland Natural Medicine on Lithia Way.

"It's really important that we support our community," said the gallery's curator, Samae Chlebowski. "There are times in our life where we need to take care of ourselves. And then there are times in our life where we have the capacity to give."

If you would like to donate to the Community Resilience Flow Fund and receive an art piece in return, you can do so by reaching out to lauraloescher.art@gmail.com.