Each year the council chooses to illuminate the work and contributions of a Bethel artist who has made an indelible impact on our community. A multi-media exhibit of Head’s paintings, drawings, sculptures and more will be on exhibit at the Owen Gallery at Gould Academy during the 25th annual Bethel Art Fair July 4-6.

“Lauren is an extremely talented artist, passionate teacher and altruistic volunteer who represents the ideals of what it means to support and advance the arts. It is our privilege to have Lauren in our community and to be able to honor her contributions this way,” said Aranka Matolcsy, executive director.

For over 12 years, Head has been a Mahoosuc Arts Council board member, donor and ARTirondack Chair artist helping to develop high-quality community and educational arts programming which has significantly enhanced the quality of place and education in western Maine.

As art faculty for 28 years at Gould Academy she has been a leader in teaching blacksmithing, metal design, sculpture, freshman-sophomore art and design. Head has a bachelor of arts degree in studio and is also the founder and director of the Gould Blacksmithing Program.

Head has attended numerous workshops at institutions including: Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Penland School of Crafts, Center for Creative Imaging, The Carving Studio and Sculpture Center and Peters Valley Craft Center.

She has been responsible for coordinating workshops with visiting artists to support the art curriculum and the Sophomore Four Point Program at Gould Academy. Her work has been commissioned for non-profit and private collections. Most recently her work was featured over the winter by the Maine Art Education Association for a members’ exhibit at the Saco Art Museum.

Along with being an art educator, Head is a former member of the United States Telemark Ski Team and a National Champion in Telemark GS and Moguls. Currently she is the head coach of the alpine ski racing development program and is a level 3 nationally certified coach. When Head isn’t teaching or working in the studio she can be found spending time with her family; husband Robert Baribeau and son Alexander. She loves climbing mountains, skiing, tending chickens and participating in activities in the outdoors.

Her painting of ARTirondack Chairs has raised significant funding to enable the council’s mission to support arts education and community arts.

For more information, contact 207-824-3575, info@mahoosucarts.org or www.mahoosucarts.org.