COMMUNITY ARTS & ENGAGEMENT
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
ARTWORKS FOR MILWAUKEE TEEN INTERNSHIPS
GRAPHIC DESIGN + MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY PROGRAM
I conceived and developed this program at ArtWorks for Milwaukee as a result of: 1) the mental health struggles today’s teens face and need to address mental health stigmas, and 2) the need for diversity and inclusivity in the graphic design and advertising industries.
Teens worked with graphic designer Dionna Hayden to create a brand for their campaign, CAPE Mental Health Movement, and projects with the State of WI’s Office of Children’s Mental Health and NAMI Southeast WI to raise awareness of mental health stigmas, resources, and the community’s lived experiences.
“Lauren helped to create the infrastructure for important, impactful youth leadership in mental health. ”
ENVIRONMENTAL ARTS PROGRAM
This program organically developed through the work ArtWorks for Milwaukee did in the 30th Street Corridor region of Milwaukee. Deservedly, the neighborhood has received a lot of investment to combat environmental injustice and we wanted to raise awareness of land and water pollution through art projects.
In 2020, high school students worked with lead artist Jenni Reinke to complete ten water-themed painted benches and a 64-foot mosaic made with about 15k plastic bottle caps. In 2022, a new cohort of students worked with lead artist Anamarie Edwards to create a second bottle cap mosaic and paintings around storm drains.
Michael Timm of local environmental organization, Reflo, documented the teens’ 64-foot mosaic.
“If it weren’t for Lauren I don’t think the program would’ve been the same...she was like a safe place, for me at least...Lauren was able to help us with anything that we could need regarding the intership or our wellbeing. ”
LGBTQ PHOTOGRAPHY PROGRAM
I began this program with the Youth Programs Coordinator at the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center. The goal was to develop a new, diverse collection of portrait photographs for the Center.
ArtWorks teens identifying as LGBTQ worked with lead artist Dominic Inouye to create a collaborative mission of highlighting the intersectionality of the LGBTQ community in Milwaukee. The students photographed 20+ volunteers identifying as LGBTQ, each working with the models to construct a scene that represented the individuals’ identity. The carefully curated collection comprised 40 photographs, now on display at the LGBT Community Center.
“Lauren gave me so much confidence to continue to work on myself and my art to share with the community. ”
SOCIAL JUSTICE FILMMAKING PROGRAM
In this program, ArtWorks teens worked with lead artist Emily Moore to create short documentary style films, including family narratives, b-roll, animation, found footage, and a 13-minute collaborative film about the challenges and accomplishments of the tumultuous years of 2020 and 2021.
The students’ collaborative film titled "COVID: The Teen Experience” highlighted the BLM movement following the murder of George Floyd, virtual schooling and nurses’ experiences during COVID-19, the 2021 coup in Myanmar, and the hope of a COVID-19. The short film was accepted to Milwaukee Film Festival’s Youth Show.
“ArtWorks has been very fortunate to benefit from the passion, integrity, dedication, innovation, and leadership that Lauren has brought to her role...She has strengthened the operations of our programs, bringing more efficiency and professionalism to them. ”
ARTS EDUCATION
ARTS @ LARGE ARTS4ALL WORKSHOPS
CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL OF WISCONSIN’S PROJECT UJIMA SUMMER CAMP
ARTISTS WORKING IN EDUCATION TRUCK STUDIO
“Lauren serves her community with genuine compassion and understanding - she truly sees the best in any person or situation and approaches children with a great sense of dignity and respect.”