Artist Statement

Ever since Lauren was a little girl art was something that brought her an immense amount of joy. It did not matter if she was building something out of cardboard, painting, or drawing. As long as she was creating something with her hands, she was enraptured. That need to create is what drives her passions and desire to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts with an emphasis in ceramics. Lauren has always had a connection to ceramics that she has been excited to explore within the Fine Arts program at the University of South Dakota. The idea that she could create functional and unique pieces is a big inspiration for her. While her emphasis is in ceramics, she is a multifaceted artist which also includes drawing, painting, mixed media, and more. At the moment Lauren is still exploring potential career paths as she gets ready to graduate from USD in the spring of 2025.

Biography

Lauren Mandernach was born in 2003 in Sioux City, Iowa. She graduated from Vermillion High School in 2021 and enrolled in the University of South Dakota. In 2025, she will receive her bachelor's degree in Fine Arts with an emphasis in ceramics at USD. Mandernach has already been included in various important exhibitions including the 2023 and 2024 “Stilwell” exhibitions at the USD and “Delicate Essen” in the Washington Street Arts center, Vermillion SD. She is pursuing her Arts in Health Certificate to see if this is a career path she would like to pursue after she graduates.