The Artist Working Through Psychology and Art

Lauren Vroegindewey is a multimedia artist working with painting, printing, performance, video, installations, and sculpture who graduated in 2021 majoring in Visual Arts with a focus on Art Education and Psychology.

Naturally, Vroegindewey has always gravitated towards the arts. She worked for a few years in corporate America which shifted the lens she was looking through. It motivated her to push focus on her passion, which resulted in going back to school as a Visual Arts major where she attained her teaching certification in Art Education K-12. Being well versed in psychology, visual arts, and as an educator… What motivated her to pursue all 3 to begin with?

“In many districts the arts have suffered for so long; however, strong arts programming in schools helps close a gap that has left many students behind.” The decision that pushed focus on art education was the want to form relationships and treat her students as active participants in the learning process. Also, to emphasize learning from each other, forging social bonds, community cohesion, and talking about the hard- pressed issues.

“Art education is tightly linked to almost everything that we as a nation say we want for our future leaders and demand from our schools such as emotional and social development, academic discourse and achievement, civic and equitable opportunity and engagement.” She wanted to be enveloped in the foundations of connecting students deeply to the world and open them to new ways of seeing.

“Our schools must be places where students have a voice that is heard and they must be able to take action on issues that they care about. I am passionate in my commitment to maximizing the opportunity to get to know different personalities and striving to always remain teachable as an artist and a teacher. The best way to remain an impactful educator is to remain an eager student.”

Vroegindewey was raised by her uncle until he experienced a traumatic brain injury, to which she states is what she believes ultimately motivated her decision to mix Psychology and The Arts. Growing up she used art as a way to escape and as a way to express, “Art has the power to press into the emotional and cognitive processes led by sensory perception”. The Arts and Psychology work hand in hand with one another, it helps each other grow, understand and express ourselves when we do not have the verbal words to do so. By mixing Art and Psychology, she attempts to empower and affirm individuals, utilizing the creative process to explore self-expression, as well as emotions, to develop new coping skills.

Putting that passion into practice, she was working at Re-Deme Studio with collaborator and friend, Ronya Dones. Both working on program development, teaching classes, and workshops to children and adults with the goal of keeping arts, creativity, and sustainability alive in schools and overall across New Jersey. Through the Re-Deme Studio, they contacted UI Rehab to develop lessons and teach the arts to patients with brain trauma. She utilized that connection and currently works with individual clients.

While a student at MSU, she was also employed full-time at a rehab center working with adults with severe brain trauma up until her clinical internship. She wrote a curriculum as well as developed and implemented lessons for a diverse group of students in East Orange. There was a year where she was able to intern closely with Dr. Nicole Archer as a TA for her course, Global Foundations in Art and Visual Culture.

After her years at Montclair State, adventure and art was calling! Venturing off to Scotland, she studied closely the art of printmaking under the masters. She participated in a group exhibition: Bone of Bone Flesh of Flesh (an installation involving the five senses, 3- D printed using biodegradable materials sourced from her body, and a performance entitled The Dirt Still Remains).

The works of Vroegindewey have been seen and loved by many, and it is certainly a journey when trying to get your work out there. For our fellow students, Vroegindewey advises to say yes and to take action while also giving time to be silent and prioritize your creation over being visible; there needs to be a balance. Don’t take the passive approach such as waiting for a gallery, or art dealer, or collector- to instead apply to open calls, venture into art openings, and network as you explore different avenues. “I think in whatever platform unfolds for you, stay teachable as what you learn, what you give, and get from the experience is up to you. You get as much put as what you put in.”

As students, when going forth into your art careers, it is important to be kind to yourself. To express yourself, stay passionate, and keep stoking the fire within you. Success will look very different for almost every individual. “I think the biggest piece of advice I could offer would be to surround yourself with a network of people who understand the twists and turns of the creative practice. It is a pivotal aspect of maintaining a healthy life/work balance for yourself”.

Written by: Gabriela Zamora