Lauren Cook's artwork is informed by her rural midwestern heritage, her deep appreciation of nature, an insatiable curiosity about diverse human cultures both ancient and contemporary, and how these interests converge as the world deals with environmental and civil sustainability. As an artist, she revels in finding the creative flow and interplay between these themes as expressed in her paintings and experimentations with materials in 2D and 3D forms. Her creative life is also strongly influenced by her work as an arts activist and educator, and in particular by the exchanges of teaching and learning she experiences with her inspiring students and colleagues. Her art is exhibited in group and solo shows.

In addition to her personal work as an artist, Cook teaches visual arts including Advanced Placement Art and Design at St. Andrew's Episcopal School in Potomac, Maryland. She also offers private art instruction, small group Summer Studio Sessions and custom Studio Nites events from her personal studio in Chevy Chase, Maryland as well as online.   She is a committed arts activist and currently serves as chair of the board of the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, Maryland. Cook has experience with independent curation, K-12 and collegiate level curricula and teacher training, serves as a jurist for competitive exhibitions and awards, and presents at regional and national conferences.

Cook holds a Master of Art in Art Education from Maryland Institute College of Art, a Master of Business Administration, Management of Science and Technology from George Washington University, and a Bachelor of Philosophy from Grand Valley University.  Cook is a member of the International Society for Education through Art, the National Art Education Association, the Maryland Art Education Association, the Yellow Barn Studio and Gallery, the Maryland Federation of Art, Artists and Makers Studios, Montgomery Art Association, American Art Therapy Association, and the Maryland Art Therapy Association.

Selected Exhibitions

Mind Mapping, Maryland Federation for the Arts, March-June 2024

2024 MAA Show, Oasis Art Gallery, Rockville, Maryland Jan-April 2024

Tis the Season, Artists & Makers Studios, Maryland December 2023

Seeing the Beauty in All Things, Goldman Art Gallery, Maryland November 2023

Creative Intersections: Artist Faculty & Students as Co-Learners, Lauren Cook and Josephine Monmaney, Kreeger Gallery, St. Andrew’s Episcopal School, Maryland Fall 2023

Portraits of Civol, Haiti Partnership Programs, Merritt Gallery Annex, Chevy Chase, Maryland 2018

Recent Paintings, Yellow Barn Gallery, Glen Echo National Park, Maryland 2017

Town Artists, Town Hall Gallery, Town of Chevy Chase, Chevy Chase, Maryland   2015

Demo Studio: Teaching as a Design Process, D:Center, Baltimore, Maryland   2014

Small Works for Haiti, Town Hall Gallery, Chevy Chase, Maryland   2011

Cook & Mitselou: Recent Works, Skiathos, Greece   2010

ART in Embassies Exhibition, United States Embassy Ankara, Turkey   2007-2010

A Recent Myth, Orchard Gallery, Bethesda, Maryland  2009 (solo)

Maryland Artist Teacher Institute Exhibit, University of Maryland University College, Adelphi, Maryland   2009

Thesis Exhibition, Pinkard Gallery, Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, Maryland   2007

Into Arcadia, Partners Gallery, Bethesda, Maryland   2006 (solo)

Interior Landscapes: Scenes from a Heartland, UCRR, Bethesda, Maryland   2004 (solo)

Impacting Earth, Cherry Hill, Colorado   2003

Yellow Barn Watercolorists, Glen Echo National Park, Maryland   2000

Selected Presentations & Juries

Juror, AHCMC Ida F. Haimovicz Visual Arts Award, 2023 (and prior years)

Co-Presenter, "Visualize Me! Expanding Understanding with Visual Literacy Tools", AIMS Technology Conference,   2016

Panelist, “#ATSAT--Art Teacher Seeking Art Teacher”, Maryland Art Education Association Fall Conference   2015

Presenter, "Addressing Personal Voice in the Design Process", National Art Education Association (NAEA) Annual Convention, New Orleans   2015

Presenter, "Arts Infiltration! Visual Arts Assessments in the General Ed Classroom", NAEA Annual Convention, New York City   2012

Juror, AHCMC Ida F. Haimovicz Visual Arts Award   2011-2012

Presenter, "Critical Literacy & Visual Culture: An English/Arts Collaboration", NAEA Annual Convention, Baltimore   2010

Presenter, "Teaching About Art & Non-Violent Resistance in the History Classroom",Association of Independent Maryland Schools Annual Conference, Baltimore   2009

Presenter, Maryland Art Education Association Annual Conference   2008

Presenter, "The High School Artist-Teacher's Impact on Student Learning", NAEA Annual Convention, New Orleans   2007

Publications list available on request.