ABOUT
_JPG.jpg)
“My work is a commentary on the silencing of emotions, what is considered appropriate, and the onslaught of infantilization and predatory behavior when one is perceived as having less inherent value in society."
Lauren Nicole (LN) is a Neurodivergent, Native, Southern California-based artist, focusing on painting and beadwork. Her expressively vibrant and exaggerated portrait style, with its play on perspective, immerses viewers in the sensations of having sensory-processing differences. Known for her inclusive approach to visual art, Lauren ensures her exhibits are accessible by combining tactile reproductions of her work, along with audio recordings of detailed visual descriptions of the pieces.
She was named the 2024 Artist-In-Residence at The Muckenthaler Cultural Center and was awarded the California Creative Corps 2023-2024 Artist Grant from the Arts Council for Long Beach and the California Arts Council. Being multiply neurodivergent (Autistic, ADHD, TBI, Synesthesia,...) Lauren’s palette contains a hidden language of emotions. Combining elements of her Indigenous heritage (Tongva, Chumash), beadwork, and Native plant relatives are commonly incorporated into her work.
RESIDENCIES, FELLOWSHIPS, GRANTS...
2024 AIR
@ The Muck
2024 Artist-In-Residence at The Muckenthaler Cultural Center with a solo exhibit in Spring 2025.
July '23 - June '24
One of thirty-five artist recipients chosen from Los Angeles and Orange Counties for the California Creative Corps Grant through the Arts Council for Long Beach and the California Arts Council. This state fellowship included professional development workshops and a project supply budget of $25,000.
MEZTLI PROJECTS SUMMER ART FELLOWSHIP
Invited into Meztli Projects' Summer Art Fellowship focusing on Indigenous culture and history, as well as expressing opinions surrounding current social issues affecting the Native community.
July - August 2020
ARTIST LEAD
IMPACT PROJECTS
2023-2024
Artist Lead for Friends of the Arts' Impact Project Grant from the California Arts Council. Responsible for the Sensory Open Studio (SOS) for neurodiverse and disabled adults in Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Diego counties. Created an artistic space that centers the autonomy of participants’ creativity in a sensory-safe setting without infantilization.
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
Fantastic!
September - November 2025
Bubbles, Butterfly Woman and A Part of Nature [Not Apart] selected to be shown at the Fantastic! art exhibit at the Yorba Linda Cultural Arts Center.
Technicolor Summer
August - September 2025
From Little Rock and G for George selected to be shown at the Technicolor Summer art exhibit and fundraiser for The Frida Cinema.
13th Biennial Ontario
Open Art Exhibition
May - July 2025
Chaotic Joy selected to be shown at the Ontario Museum of History & Art, in the 13th Biennial Ontario Open Art Exhibition. Reception and exhibit info, here.
Lights! Camera! Autism!
Exhibiting Artist
Exhibiting artist at the Autism Society San Diego's Lights! Camera! Autism! Event. Tickets and event info, here.
April, 26 2025
brought to you by the:
Let Her Be
April - May 2025
Solo exhibition and culmination of her 2024 artist residency at The Muckenthaler Cultural Center. This inclusive exhibit features ten 60x48 in. original paintings with tactile duplicates of each piece and an audio gallery tour. Reception and exhibit info, here.
Indigenous DNA
December 2024
Three of Lauren's Paa'or pieces were selected for the first Indigenous DNA: Decolonized Native Art show held at the Santa Barbara Community Arts Workshop. Paa'or - Grow |Blue 2.1|, Paa'or - Grow |Pink 2.1|, and Paa'or - Burn |Blue 1.2|
Art That's Small At City Hall
March - April 2024
Ick! one of the That Face paintings, was exhibited in Laguna Beach's City Hall as part of the Laguna Beach Arts Commission's annual open call, Art That's Small at City Hall.
Open Call: Apophenia
December '23 - March '24
The Offering |LN17| on view at the Open Call; Apophenia at the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery.
Art That's Small At City Hall
March - April 2023
Mhm., one of the That Face paintings, was exhibited in Laguna Beach's City Hall as part of the Laguna Beach Arts Commission's annual open call Art That's Small at City Hall.
Feminine Perspective
November - December 2022
Select LongNeck portraits and The Mouths series on exhibit in the Feminine Perspective Art Show at the Norman P, Murray Center.
Duo Exhibition
November - December 2022
Duo Exhibition with Jenni Nonaca at the Potocki Center for the Arts. Features the Paa'or | Burn collection and selected LongNeck portraits.
Community Art Box
September 2022
Hand painted (finger painted) the first Art Box in Orange County, sponsored by The Mission Viejo Friends of the Arts and the Rotary Club of Orange County Digital. Community members can share, take, or leave art supplies in the Art Box housed at the Potocki Center for the Arts.
Land As Kin
October - December 2021
Pokuu | One and Messenger shown at The Muckenthaler Cultural Center as part of the Land as Kin art exhibition curated by Amy Redfeather.
The Digital Mural Project
March 2021
Elders shown in The Digital Mural by Canada's Galerie Numerique.
WORKSHOPS, PANELS, CONSULTING...
COLOR YOUR EMOTIONS
An Intuitive Painting Workshop
-
ArtsOC Artists with Disabilities Panel & Discussion
-
Panelist, May 2024
-
-
ArtsLB Creative Corps Program
-
January 20, 2024
-
March 2, 2024
-
May 25, 2024
-
August 25, 2024
-
-
The Chapter House LA
-
August, 2022
-
-
So'oh Shinali Sister Project
-
3x throughout March, 2022
-
-
Arts Alive, City of Mission Viejo
-
April, 2015
-
-
OC Arts & Disability Collaborative's Considerations for Arts Patrons with Autism
-
Panelist, July 2024
-
-
Sensory Sensitivity Walk-Through for Autistic Audiences
-
Consultation on the Asian Comics Exhibit at Bowers Museum, June 2024
-
-
Sensory Sensitivity Walk-Through with the Santa Ana Zoo
-
Consultation on Sensory Bag items and Social Narrative, August 2024
-
-
Accessibility Consultation with the Laguna Art Museum
-
Consultation on sensory workspaces and fidget items, August 2024
-
CERTIFICATES & TRAINING
-
Crafting Compelling Creative Proposals
-
2025, 11:11 Projects
-
-
+ Bolts of Community Engagement in the Creative Sector
-
2024, 11:11 Projects
-
-
Project Management Crash Course
-
2024, 11:11 Projects
-
-
Portfolio Building for the Multifaceted Artist
-
2024, 11:11 Projects
-
-
Navigating the Gallery Scene
-
2024, 11:11 Projects
-
-
Arts and Accessibility
-
2024, ArtsOC with Marleena Barber
-