Lauren Be Dear is an interdisciplinary artist based in Hartford, Connecticut. She combines video art, spoken word poetry, sculpture and performance to create immersive installations. Often hyper personal and autobiographical, her work exposes and explores personal traumas, such as her bipolar disorder and PTSD. In placing a spotlight on such topics, she aims to dismantle the burden of stigma, encourage others to share their own stories, and create new pathways to healing. In 2020, Lauren released a spoken word poetry album titled, “Com•mit•tal.” She performed the album in its entirety at Real Art Ways in 2021, coinciding with her solo show, “Through The Veil.” In 2023, Lauren presented “infinitlovalie,” a multimedia installation and solo show at The Arts Industry in West Hartford, CT. Besides her inspiring and supportive group of friends and community, some of her influences also include Miranda July, Andrea Gibson, Nick Cave and Pipilotti Rist. Currently, Lauren works as Front of House Manager & Membership Coordinator at Real Art Ways in Hartford, CT, and Co-curator at The Arts Industry in West Hartford, CT. She spends her free time tinkering in her art studio, re-watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer or cuddling with her cat.

Resume/CV

Grants

2023, Emerging Recognition Award, Artistic Fellowship Program, Connecticut Office of the Arts, Hartford, CT

Selected Exhibitions 

2024, Group Exhibition, Academy Hall Video Club, West Suffield Academy Hall, West Suffield, CT (Curated by Jim & Christa Whitten)

2024, Group Exhibition, The Freedom of Artistic Expression, TheaterWorks, Hartford, CT

2023, Solo Exhibition, infinitlovalie, The Arts Industry, West Hartford, CT

2022, Group Exhibition, Fiber Arts Exhibition, Arts Center East, Vernon, CT


2021, Solo Exhibition, Through The Veil, Real Wall, Real Art Ways, Hartford, CT (Curated by David Borawski)

2015, Group Exhibition, Coming Home MCC Alumni Exhibition, Dehn Gallery, Manchester, CT (Curated by Jane Rainwater)

Collaborative Projects

2024, Video Installation, The Oldest Daughter, Parkville Sounds, Hartford, CT (in collaboration with The Hartford Dance Collective)

Performances & Shows

2023, Performance, infinitlovalie, The Arts Industry, West Hartford, CT

https://vimeo.com/laurenbedear/fullperformance

2021, Performance, Through The Veil, Real Art Ways, Hartford, CT

2016, Group Runway Show, Hartford Trashion Fashion Show, Hartford, CT


2015, Solo Runway Show, FemmeGod, Hartford Fashion Week, Hartford, CT 

Curatorial Projects

2024, I have my Masters, co-curated with Peter Albano, The Arts Industry, West Hartford, CT

2024, Nip Slip, co-curated with Peter Albano, The Arts Industry, West Hartford, CT

Related Experience 

2024-present, Co-Curator, The Arts Industry, West Hartford, CT

2023-present, Front of House Manager & Membership Coordinator, Real Art Ways, Hartford, CT

2022-23, Front of House Assistant Manager & Membership Coordinator, Real Art Ways, Hartford, CT

2021-22, Front of House Staff, Real Art Ways, Hartford, CT
2013-17 Gallery Assistant, Dehn Gallery, MCC on Main, Manchester, CT 

Bibliography 

“She's using poetry to accept her bipolar disorder,” IDONTMIND, August, 2021. https://idontmind.com/journal/shes-using-poetry-to-accept-her-bipolar-disorder

Education 

Manchester Community College, Manchester, CT


Bennington College, Bennington, VT