ARTIST STATEMENT

"Lauren Anabela is a combination of my adopted and birth names.  Born in El Salvador and living most of my life in the United States, I found creating, especially fabricating with my hands, a natural way to express myself and honor my culture.  Creating keeps me grounded while feeling part of two worlds.

Lauren Anabela (she/they) is a Salvadoran-born artist and craft educator, and has been steering their creative journey as the sole proprietor of Creative Dexterity since 2007. The name reflects the ways in which her hands play a major role in her creative process, whether holding a pencil, hammer, torch or, ultimately, Lauren’s finished work. In a way, creating and dexterity go “hand in hand.”

Immersed in a diverse range of arts disciplines, Lauren Anabela found purpose in metalsmithing and jewelry making, where curiosity and problem-solving intertwine through the power of expressive adornment. She is a graduate of the Massachusetts College of Art and Design where she earned a BFA.

“I'm honored that my creations bring meaning and connection to those who wear them. From new pieces to treasured heirlooms, their timeless journey reminds me why I create.”

Working primarily in sterling silver, karat golds and copper-based alloys, Lauren’s design style investigates structure, depth and kinetic movement. Simple, elegant and lively. Her previous Computer Key Jewelry series, which used upcycled computer keys as a quirky commentary on contemporary culture, was featured in Macworld Magazine and in the book Retrash.

Her latest collection focuses on the symbolic trope of death, memento mori, along with a new series, WRDPLY, which explores the figure of speech. Lauren Anabela currently resides in Western Massachusetts, where they are an active studio artist and shares their expertise in metalsmithing through teaching. She has led numerous workshops across the state, inspiring both youth and adults with her craftsmanship and skills.