An Artful Life

Hello! I’m Laurie Clark, a North Carolina-based (but Virginia-raised and San Francisco-altered!) artist, designer, and educator. My life’s work is rooted in a deep love for how art connects us to the world, to our history, and most importantly, to each other.

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After earning my BA in Art History at San Francisco State and my Master’s in Exhibition Design from George Washington’s Corcoran College of Art and Design, I realized my mission was to make art feel accessible and alive. I’ve always been someone who loves to curate a vibe whether that’s through designing an interior space, planning a party, or painting a largscale canvas. On this site, you can explore and shop my original paintings or talk to me about art curriculum or design services. I love helping people transform their spaces and events into something that feels intentional and full of personality.

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In the Classroom

Based in Winston-Salem, I teach Preschool and Elementary Visual Arts at an independent school. I’ve had the freedom to build my own standards based curriculum from the ground up, and it’s built on two big beliefs:

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First, I teach art for art’s sake. Art is a discipline all its own, and it is worthy of being studied simply because it’s important. We start with the building blocks known as the Elements of Art and then we layer in the stories of diverse artists, history, and different cultures.

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Second, I believe in the power of integration. I use art to build the kind of background knowledge that helps kids with reading and critical thinking. I’m a big believer in the neuro-arts, which is the science of how art literally changes the brain. I design my lessons to create "sticky synapses," helping students connect what they do in the art room to everything else they are learning.

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My favorite way to bring this all together is through our immersive art shows. These aren't just student work pinned to a wall; they are full-scale events filled with thousands of pieces of art and huge, student-made sculptures. These shows are student-led and designed to be a world that parents can truly walk into and experience.

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Whether I am designing a curriculum, painting a new piece, or building a giant sculpture with my students, I’m just happy to be making things. I’m so glad you’re here to see what I’ve been working on.

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Feel free to browse the shop, check out my design portfolio, or reach out to say hello!