We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lauren Steinhofer a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Lauren, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

I am the organizer and founder of an arts and music festival called (y) art? Or why art? This project is what keeps my heart pumping most of the time. We (because it’s not just me anymore) have created a village in the woods with artists ranging from 12 years old to 75 years old using almost any medium you can imagine. The community that this project has cultivated gives me hope for humanity at large. Every year (we’re going on the 6th) there are new faces with new insight on how to transform the land and utilize materials that would other wise be trashed. The level of acceptance and love and passion that comes out in the yart yard is honestly the most inspiring and light filled happening I’ve ever experienced in my life.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a poet, an instillation artist, a painter and community organizer. I wear a lot of hates but all of them are based in the desire to connect with humility.

My work in any realm is an interpretation and representation of what it means to be human. My process is relatively unique, by using a metaphor for an experience or feeling and translating it into a visual as a way of processing.

I started painting and creating after my mom died when I was 18. I had a lot of things on my heart and mind and I had to find a way to release. I paint or create or brainstorm ideas everyday. I’ve pretty much adapted it into my identity on an individual level, and I try to share that with other artists during yart season by encouraging to create their own space in an immersive way.

A lot of my personal work (paintings/poetry) have a darker feel, but yart has been characterized as ‘walking through your imagination.’

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is the ability to inspire.

To give hope, or images or words to something can resonate with someone to a point where they are than inspired to translate their own experiences.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I had to unlearn the idea that I could not be an artist. When I first tried to create full time I failed. And than failed again.

I had to convince myself again and again that this is possible. I was always told that I wouldn’t be able to make ends meet or I wouldn’t me noticed or catch a break.

Honestly, I still wait on a break sometimes, but i made it! It doesn’t look as glamorous as I would hope but it definitely is worth the struggle.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @laurensteinhofer
• Facebook: Lauren steinhofer

Image Credits
Lauren steinhofer Keith Emerson