Local Spotlight Gallery | We Are The Arts

about
THE local artist spotlight gallery:

The Local Artist Spotlight Gallery supports exceptional visual artists in Cumberland County by providing an opportunity for them to showcase their work. Through the Local Artist Spotlight Gallery, the Arts Council advances the cultural landscape of our community through a diversity of artists and artistic media, allowing a space for emerging talents to shape and share their creative visions.

plan your visit

“Becoming" by Lauren Falls

what's on display:

“Where we See Ourselves: Rooted in Reflection” by Lauren Falls

About the Artist:

As a black mixed-media artist, I endeavor to take up space in places where I may struggle to fit in. I create art that explores my journey with my mental health. I illustrate abstract portraits with natural elements intertwined into the composition.

Through nature I am grounded to the familiar, whether that is my surroundings or my history. In nature, I am free to explore, create, honor, and witness. By witnessing, I am able to see humanity in my surroundings. Mostly, I am connected to tapping into the female form echoed in nature through the curvature of the tree trunk and limbs. It is interesting to create the metamorphosis of finding the human body in the trunk and watching the figure come to life as I move my way to the crown of the tree.

In addition to nature, I am highly influenced by surrealism and abstract art. My muse, Salvador Dali and surrealists have a way of connecting the dreamlike state and evolving that idea to the real world. I have taken this idea of the metamorphosis between the dream and waking world into the real world into my own work.

Acceptance by Lauren Falls

about the iniative:

The Local Artist Spotlight Gallery opens a space for local artists to build connections with the community through visibility, support, feedback, and recognition. According to a 2023 report, just 1 in 5 artists will exhibit their work in their lifetime. With such a large number of talented visual artists in our region, the Arts Council is committed to supporting artists throughout their creative journeys. By providing a dedicated platform for exceptional local artists, the LAS Gallery fosters creativity, artistic expression, and cultural dialogue within the region. We celebrate a broad spectrum of artistic expression—whether through painting, sculpture, photography, mixed media, or other forms—enabling artists to share their creative visions with the community.

In supporting these artists, we contribute not only to the development of individual careers but also to the cultural enrichment of our entire community. The LAS Gallery shines a light on creative exploration, sparking conversation and strengthening the community's connection to the arts.