2020 Tinderbox Artist in Residence: Erica Alexia Ledesma. While Erica’s residency went virtual, her engagement within the Tinderbox program was responsive, on the ground, and deeply impactful across the Rogue Valley. Erica will share her experiences working with Rogue Climate to create art representing community organizing responses to the Covid-19 crisis and the climate crises, and her work supporting survivors of the Almeda Fire. Erica will discuss how art is central to her community building and advocacy.
Erica Alexia is a first-generation xicana born and raised in Southern Oregon with ancestral roots in México. She is a visual artist, youth mentor, and community organizer currently based in Takelma Land (Medford, Oregon). Erica’s work centers visual art and story sharing to build community. In 2018, Erica co-founded a project called Noche de cuentos (Night of Storytelling), which works with Latinx folks to craft and share their story in community. In 2019 Erica partnered up with The Hearth-- becoming the director of the Latinx Story Project.
Signal Fire is grateful to partner with Rogue Climate who was able to collaborate with Erica during a year of pandemic, unyielding pipeline battles, and regional fires that deeply impacted Southern Oregon. Rogue Climate empowers Southern Oregon communities most impacted by climate change, including low-income, rural, youth, seniors, and communities of color, to win climate justice by organizing for clean energy, sustainable jobs, and a healthy environment.
Erica’s was the third annual Tinderbox Residency produced by Signal Fire, a three month program embedding an artist with an environmental advocacy organization. Tinderbox Residencies bridge environmental advocacy, activism, and art by creating a platform for dialogue with the greater public.
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