LAUREN BECKER DOWNEY was born an artist. She remembers creating her first weaving in kindergarten when she made her Mom a pot holder. Earning a BFA in Weaving and Textile Design from Tyler School of Art of Temple University in Philadelphia, she was immersed in the world of art making. She also studied at the Rhode Island School of Design and the University of Utah. For years, Lauren exhibited woven tapestries and painted fabrics of abstract, non-representational imagery. Now she uses Mosaic and Painted Furniture as the medium for her creative expression. You might say she's an expert in American Craft and color.

From 1990 - 1995, Lauren was the owner / partner of Bravo Gallery in the early days of the Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego, where the fine craft and contemporary art of local artists were exhibited. Immediately after closing the gallery, Lauren founded Bravo Workshop, a school of 1-day workshops in art, craft and home decorating for novice and professional artists. This young incarnation of visual art education later became Bravo School of Art. Besides wearing many hats as the administrator and chief bottle washer, she taught Weaving, Business of Being an Artist, Painted Fabric, and Herbal Vinegar.

As one of the Founders of Bravo School of Art, the Director of Workshops at the Art Academy of San Diego, and the former owner of Bravo Gallery and Bravo Workshop, Lauren has been involved in San Diego’s arts community since 1990. She's a great organizer and communicator who enjoys teaching and talking to people about art. She has been teaching art and fine crafts to adults throughout San Diego County since 1992 through Bravo Gallery, Bravo Workshop, the Art Academy of San Diego (formerly known as Arts College International), Grossmont Adult School, Coronado Adult School, OASIS and at UCSD Crafts Center. Prior to teaching in San Diego, she taught at the University of Utah and the Salt Lake City Jewish Community Center.

Lauren founded Bravo School of Art in 2009 with her friend, artist Nancy Isbell, developing a wonderfully creative curriculum for this unique art school where adults and children learn to make art in an environment of encouragement, creativity, safety and FUN. Working with more than 20 instructors gives her an opportunity to provide something for everyone at every skill and interest level.

Oh! And did we mention that Lauren also teaches art classes at Bravo School of Art?

PAINT YOUR SNEAKERS

MOSAIC

INDIGO DYEING

WEAVING

PAINTED FURNITURE

TEXTILE ART CAMP

PAINTED WINE GLASS

SPLATTER PAINTING POLLOCK STYLE

AFTER-SCHOOL TEXTILE ART

COLLAGED VALENTINE

 

PAINTED WINE GLASS • CHALLAH COVER • PRAYER FLAG PROJECT • INFUSED HERBAL VINEGAR • KIMONO, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA STYLE • RUSTIC HOLIDAY GIFT WRAP • MARDI GRAS MASK • TU B'SHVAT PAINTED CERAMIC SERVING PLATTER • PURIM MASK MAKING • PASSOVER PAINTED GLASS SEDER PLATE • PUT A BIRD ON YOUR TOTE BAG • FLOOR CLOTH • PAINTED PET MAT • BUSINESS OF BEING AN ARTIST • CURLY GIRL DRYING TOWEL • PAINTED FURNITURE & PLASTIC CHAIR • CHUPPAH SQUARE • JEWISH HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS • VOODOO DOLL • MENORAH PAINTED TRAY