Market on the calendar

Coastal artisans are offering the chance to pick up one-of-a-kind holiday gifts while supporting victims of the recent Echo Mountain Fire as they host A Coastal Christmas Affair this Saturday, Dec. 5.

Held at the Shops at Salishan, this holiday market will feature a range of locally produced, handmade arts and crafts, available to browse from 10 am to 4 pm at 7760 North Highway 101, Gleneden Beach.

In addition, each of the participating artisans has donated a piece of their work for a holiday raffle, with proceeds from ticket sales benefiting victims of the Echo Mountain blaze, which devastated the community of Otis on Sept. 7.

“We as artisans wanted to do something for the families,” said organizer Lori Lemons. “Each of the artisans is giving a donation of our art.”

Among the artists in attendance at the fair will be Ashley Andersen, who lost her own home to the Echo Mountain blaze.

Andersen, who had previously worked in her family’s landscaping company, was in the early stages of setting herself up as a professional artist when the tragedy struck.

“I had just gotten my whole school portfolio and all my recent paintings together in order to get professional photos done for prints when the fire hit,” she said. “To be honest, I haven't fully processed all the losses. So many works that didn't even get onto Facebook. Never to be seen again. All is not lost, though. These skills are mine to keep. There's still plenty of paint and canvas in the world.”

Andersen will be taking commissions at the holiday market. To see more of her work, find her Facebook page @AndersenArtistry.