Lauren Ashley Clark

Artist • Designer • Educator

Winston-Salem, NC | Laurieclarkdesigns@gmail.com

 

Professional Summary

A versatile creative professional with a Master degree in Exhibition Design and over 20 years of experience across arts education, non-profit leadership, and event coordination. Expert in building standards-based art curricula from the ground up, ranging from sensory-based toddler exploration to complex 4th-grade sculpture. A global traveler and award-winning educator dedicated to the neuro-arts, using immersive exhibition design to make student work a professional-grade experience.

 

Core Expertise

Early Childhood & Elementary: Specialist in ages 2 through 4th Grade; expert in developmental art stages.

 

Design & Curation: Spatial & Exhibition Design, Graphic Design, Event Planning, Interior Aesthetics.

 

Curriculum Development:

Standards-based program writing

​Neuro-Arts Literacy and Integration Specialist- building "sticky synapses" via cross-curricular projects and background knowledge.

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Teaching & Curatorial Experience

Visual Arts Educator (Ages 2 – Grade 4) | Forsyth Country Day School, Winston-Salem, NC | Aug 2021 – Present

 

Full Spectrum Curriculum Designer

Designed and implemented a comprehensive standards based grading visual arts program for Preschool (2s, 3s, 4s, and Transitional 4s) through Elementary (K–4).

Developmental Scaffolding

Tailored instruction from process-based sensory art for toddlers to technical skill-building for older elementary students.

Integration Specialist

Collaborated with classroom teachers on high-impact projects.

​State and National Level Conference Presenter on Literacy in the Arts Classroom.

Exhibition Production

Curated biannual immersive art shows featuring 2,000+ student works.

Transformed school spaces into professional galleries with student-led tours and large-scale sculptures.

Costume and Set Designer

Collaborated with the performing arts department to design and build immersive stage environments, managing backstage logistics and art direction for school productions.

Risky Play and Loose Parts Playground Coordinator

Facilitated a "Loose Parts" outdoor environment, encouraging child-led discovery, spatial reasoning, and creative problem-solving through open-ended play.

Award Winner

Earned the 2022 Judge’s Choice Award at the County Fair Art Show

Earned Teacher of the Year Award 2022

 

Preschool Art Teacher | Sawtooth School of Visual Art, Winston-Salem, NC | Jan 2019 – 2021

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Delivered interactive, process-based art activities for 3-to-5-year-olds, fostering early creative confidence through visual art, music and movement.

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Preschool Art Teacher | St. Pauls Preschool, Winston-Salem, NC | Jan 2017-2019

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Specialized in process-based early childhood education and sensory exploration for children ages 2 to 5, focused on fostering creative confidence and developmental milestones in a nurturing environment.

 

Curator & Board Member | Sawtooth School of Visual Art, Winston-Salem, NC | 2013 – 2019

 

• Curatorial

  • Led exhibits in the main gallery and taught Exhibit Design to High School Honor students.

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• Leadership

  • Served as Board Secretary and planned major community events including Deck the Halls and the Arts & Craft Beer Festival.

 

Homeschool Educator (1st & 3rd Grade) | Winston-Salem, NC | Aug 2020 – June 2021

Designed individual courses of study using BookShark, integrating cross-subject learning during the pandemic.

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Design & Administrative Leadership

Development Officer & Liaison to the Chancellor | UNC School of the Arts | 2011 – 2012

Managed performance calendars and donor stewardship; planned high-level events and performances.

 

Membership & Design Coordinator | IRP, Inc., Arlington, VA | 2007 – 2015

• Graphic Design

  • Created all branding, newsletters, and logos; key member in the company website redesign.

• Event Logistics

  • Managed large-scale meeting planning, housing, and publications.

 

Education

M.A. in Museum Exhibition Design Corcoran College of Art and Design (George Washington University) | Washington, D.C.

B.A. in Art History San Francisco State University | San Francisco, CA

 

Speaking Opportunities

NCAEA, Ashboro, NC 

Institure of Arts Integration and STEAM, KAnsas City, MO

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Technical Skills & Global Perspective

Digital: Adobe Creative Suite, AutoCAD, SketchUp, Art Systems Gallery Pro.

Physical Design: Art handling, conservation, lighting (wattage/foot candles), scale modeling, and wall preparation.

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Global Research

Extensive travel to 25+ countries to examine global art and architecture.