Photo by Mike Marques
Lauren Be Dear: Dismantling Stigma, Radicalizing Vulnerability
Lauren Be Dear is an interdisciplinary artist based in Hartford, Connecticut. She combines video, sculpture and performance to create immersive installations. Often hyper personal and autobiographical, her work exposes personal traumas, such as her bipolar disorder. She aims to dismantle the burden of stigma, encourage others to share their own stories, and find new pathways to healing. In 2023, she received the Emerging Recognition Award through the Artistic Fellowship Program from Connecticut Office of the Arts. She has exhibited at Real Art Ways, TheaterWorks and CT State Community College Manchester. Some of her influences include Miranda July, Nick Cave and Pipilotti Rist. Currently, Lauren works as 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
2025, Group Exhibition, FALSE CITY, Artspace, Hartford, CT (Curated by John O’Donnell)
2025, Group Exhibition, Homesick, Hans Weiss Newspace Gallery, CT State Community College Manchester, Manchester, CT
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
my friends
I may not know exactly where I’ll end up, but I know I want to end up there with you.
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