DesiRay Laidler is an emerging visual artist based in Joplin, pursuing a degree in Art Education at Missouri Southern. Her work explores themes of mental health, identity, and the complexities of addiction. Working in oil, acrylic, conte, and charcoal, she aims to create work that sparks emotion. Laidler has exhibited in local galleries, The Joplin Library, and she continues to work to build a body of work that invites viewers to relate and connect.