Art for Appalachia

01/05/2025

Appalachia as a whole is about to get pounded by all sorts of winter weather - but our neighbors in WNC and TN who are still recovering from Hurricane Helene - many of whom are still in tents - are going to feel the brunt of this winter storm!!!

Please support however you can - by finding ways to help families who may not be as fortunate as your own… monetary assistance is highly suggested - if you need more information I’m happy to connect you with several folks directly in the region that will get the funds where they are most needed - or feel free to follow the work of 👇👇👇

Art for Appalachia and Pop Up Healing are preparing for a trip down with medical equipment, food, coats, blankets, books, art supplies, and more… body and spirit work as well!

11/02/2024

Long term support is needed across areas of WNC and TN!!!

We are so thankful for the support we’ve received over the past few weeks post Hurricane Helene - but this is only the beginning.

Learn how you can support Art for Appalachia grassroots fundraising initiatives - founded by Lauren G Koch: Keeper of the Old Ways: and The Creative Alchemy Labs - artist, musician, activist, clergy, and daughter of Appalachia.

Drop 🎨 in the comments to get a convo started and I’ll send you the direct link. Or follow the link in the bio to learn more on how you can participate as things progress.

Please like - share - follow - we need to get the word out!

10/29/2024

Excited to share the for my own personal contribution to Art for Appalachia beyond hosting and coordinating.

The idea behind this illustration was what started the spark turned into a flame and is now the controlled burn that is Art for Appalachia.

I knew I could do better than a single sticker design or painting turned into prints - and I also knew there were other artists and community members out there that also wanted to contribute to aiding our Southern Appalachian neighbors in WNC and TN - and now we have sponsors - partners - volunteers - artists and more helping us with our mission!

This illustration is based off of a song by Dolly Parton that says…

“I can see the light of a clear blue morning
I can see the light of a brand new day
I can see the light of a clear blue morning
Oh, and everything’s gonna be all right
It’s gonna be okay”

That song had gotten me through a lot of hard times and has been the song moving through all of the emotions post Hurricane Helene and as I search for ways to support Southern Appalachia.

Want to learn how you too can get involved?

Drop a comment below to connect and I’ll send more info over - or browse the website linked in the bio.

10/28/2024

🌟 Calling All Creators & Sponsors! 🌟

Art for Appalachia is looking for partners to help bring our vision to life! As artwork submissions start rolling in, we’re ready to transform these powerful pieces into stickers, t-shirts, and other merch to support the recovery efforts in Southern Appalachia.

✨ Are you a sticker, t-shirt, or merch company?
We’d love to partner with those who can donate production time and materials to help us share this art with the world.

💖 Interested in sponsoring an order?
If you or your business would like to sponsor a merch order, your support could make a huge difference. Together, we’ll be able to create and share beautiful items that showcase Appalachian resilience while raising funds for communities in need.

These unique designs will be perfect for stickers, tees, and more — all proceeds going to support relief and rebuilding efforts. Let’s come together to make a lasting impact!

If you’re interested in partnering or sponsoring, please DM or ask for the direct link to the official forms. Thank you for helping us support our own cause we are .🌄

10/17/2024

It’s been rather quiet on this end but for good reason - I have some major updates for y’all!!!

𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐚 has its first official gallery sponsor - BLUE HERON INN ON LITTLE RIVER - more info coming soon but I can let you know it will be hosted at Magnolia Manor in Townsend, TN in June 2025. Drop a 🖼️ in the comments if you’re a gallery that would like to host an 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐚 Juried Exhibition & Auction.

Our first transport of delivers has arrived safely at a drop off location in WNC and we are seeking partners to host a 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐱 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞 within your community or host a drop off box for miscellaneous donations. We are happy to announce 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐔𝐌𝐂 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐋 will be joining in donation raising efforts. Drop a 👷 if you would like to join us in donation drive and/or drop / transport efforts. (And guess what you don’t have to be in the MD area)

Do you have experience with art nonprofits, gallery work, design, web development, and marketing? We could sure use your help!!! In addition to sponsors to help alleviate expenses - extremely important - remember this is a long term fundraising initiative not a quick fix.

My heart is so full from the outpouring of support from artists who also want to help but aren’t sure how to get started… and that’s exactly why 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐚 has been founded - to provide an outlet for artists in Appalachia and beyond - a way to give back to this vibrant region that’s too often forgotten. Drop of 🎨 in the comments if you want to get started as an artist.

I’m trying to stay up to date on announcing partners, sponsors, and artists but I’m already behind - but the website is now updated with all of the new information.

Thank you for your support and patience while this tiny seed grows into something amazing to help our Southern Appalachian neighbors who have lost so much and are dealing with frost and snow on top of rescue, recovery, and rebuilding efforts.

Please follow • like • share to help get the word out! And check stories and my main fb page Lauren G Koch to stay undated on ways to help out WNC & TN!

10/15/2024

Our youngest volunteer has been working extra hard with strategic planning for Art for Appalachia this past week - we’ve made some amazing connections and there’s many announcements of new artists, partners, and sponsors.

Our first donation box was dropped off this past weekend and we’re working on a “Shoe Box Drive” stayed tuned for more info - and please reach out if your business would like to partner with us on this donation drive by organizing among your next work or by hosting a drop of location or providing transport.

Thanks Cris for sharing your sweet little angel.

10/11/2024

Thank you to all the wonderful people stepping forward to contribute to Art for Appalachia in some capacity.

Raine Dawn
Amanda Lucia Photography
Carringer / Love Can Move Mountains
department /
Dawn design / /
/ Barnstone Saran Craft Club at Barnstone Gallery .studio / / / Vickie Clarkson / Artspiration Frederick /
Keeper of the Old Ways: Lauren G Koch
The Creative Alchemy Labs

Join us to us in celebrating Appalachia by making a donation or becoming a sponsor, partner, or volunteer to support - Art for Appalachia - a grassroots fundraising initiative to bring immediate and long term relief to communities in Mitchell, Yancey, and Buncombe counties - WNC and beyond.

Drop a 💪🏻 in the comments and I’ll send the direct link your way so you can join the list of names aiding our Southern Appalachian Communities - or follow the link in the bio to learn more.

10/10/2024

Updates from WNC and some food for thought….

Community is everything and taking care of each other is so important - but there’s a right and wrong way to approach it. Didn’t realize how long of a rant I...

10/08/2024

𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐚 is a grassroots Art Auction & Fundraiser that will feature original artworks, limited edition prints, stickers, posters, postcards, and more from regional artists and others who would like to contribute to the relief efforts.

My hope is to also host regional juried exhibitions including addition to the auction - creating not only as an opportunity to showcase beautiful, inspiring works but also a way to give back to those directly affected by the hurricane. A portion of the proceeds (hoping to make it 100%) will go directly to individuals and organizations providing immediate relief and long-term rebuilding efforts.

We are looking for…

🎨 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 - all mediums are accepted with inspiration taken from the Appalachian Moutnains and culture as well as a sense of community and hope (please no AI generated art - embrace the analog traditions of Appalachia however possible) - yes tattoo artists are welcome to donate designs for stickers, original work, and full ink sessions - artists may choose to receive 30% of the proceeds to support themselves or donate 100% of the proceeds to those who have been most greatly impacted by the devastation.

👷 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐬 with art nonprofit experience, gallery, exhibition, art auction, website management and marketing experience - I’m proficient in all of these areas but it takes a village to truly make an impact

💚 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐬 - businesses that would like to sponsor this initiative are very important so we can make sure 100% of the proceeds go to those who need it most instead of opperating expenses

Are you a sticker makers, tshirt printers, fine artist prints, and other merch creators that would be able to donate time and materials? Or a gallery owner or exhibition organizer that would like to host a regional exhibition? Let’s get in contact!

💚💚💚Please like - share - follow - we need to get the word out! 💚💚💚

Rather than sending me a dm on official stuff- please fill out either an art or volunteer/sponsor form - just so I can keep everything organized and make sure I’ve followed up with everyone - thank you for your interest - feel free to contact me directly for general questions that I might not have answered - things are progressing rather quickly and I’m trying to get info updated as quickly as possible while still organizing donation drop off spots and transports - so please be patient as this is currently a one person operation.

(I understand it is difficult to trust people in this day and age - but this truly is a project placed upon my heart - I have dear friends and extended family in some of the heaviest hit areas - I knew I could do way more than just create a sticker and try to sell on my own - my hope is to turn this into an ongoing project to continue to benefit the communities of the Appalachias where my roots are buried deep - for years to come - if you would like to check my qualifications - my CV is on my website - I have been an artist for over 30 years in addition to working with art nonprofits and conferences for over 15 years - I’m clergy and have served my community in various capacities for over 18 years - my business is Keeper of the Old Ways: Folk Medicinals, Healing Arts, & More and I live in Mid Maryland in valley surrounded my beloved mountains - I will be keeping all records completely transparent for anyone that wants to check in on my sincerity)

10/05/2024

Thank y’all for the outpouring of support I’ve received over the past 24 hours since going LIVE with 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐚!!!

The official donation submission forms - as well as the official volunteer and sponsorship forms and links are now up on the website - I’ll drop the link in the comments or feel free to follow the link in the bio to explore my website.

At this time we’re asking all artists to hold onto their work until the regional juries exhibition and auction are more finalized - but do please submit your artwork as soon as wits ready - we will be in touch asap when we have more info - but we already have several sponsors assisting with locating a Gallery space - and I have several meetings already set up for next week to view spaces, brainstorm, etc.

Carefully read the submission form when submitting - we are seeking high quality digital images to start producing fine art prints, stickers, and other merch - if you have the ability to donate time and materials for merch production that would be gratefully accepted to make sure as much as the proceeds go directly to those who need it - please reach out with any questions.

✨In the meantime - if you don’t already have some art work in mind to donate - get busy creating something inspired by the Appalachian Mountains and culture as well as it’s strong sense community and hope!

✨And help get the word out about this grassroots initiative to fund relief efforts and rebuilding in Southern Appalachia by following- liking - sharing!

10/04/2024

Attention!!!

Craft Club at Barnstone Gallery is this weekend - if you have items to donate and are in the Thurmont, Md area - please drop them by

I have a transport heading down Monday and Thursday of next week and continuing weekly until we have an update