Lauren is a Seattle area native who joined CoCA in 2007 as a volunteer after graduating Whitman College with a BA in Art History & Visual Culture Studies. Lauren programmed the CoCA: After Dark series in the summer of 2008, which included 16+ weekly performances by spoken word artists & poets, dancers, lecturers, theater troupes, and emerging live & electronic musicians. Lauren produced the Seafair Ball: Bollywood party and exhibition, assisted on the 2007 & 2008 24hr Art Marathon & Auction, and has managed numerous gallery openings. She brought Tyler Kohlhoff's: All Along the Western Front installation to CoCA, and has assisted with countless other solo and group CoCA shows as exhibition coordinator.

She is most passionate about bringing emerging artists to the scene and connecting young collectors, new critics, and fresh ideas together in awe-inspiring and unique project and events. A passionate community volunteer, Lauren works with the First Place School, Art with Heart and Family Works. She is also a professional model with TCM.

Lauren's favorite local visual artists are Marcie Myrick and Laura Castellanos; her favorite local bands are Exohxo, Nightheart, and Marmalade; her favorite local poet is Matt Gano; her favorite local designer is Buddhaful. She thinks you don't have to go too far from home to find world class talent, and loves CoCA for its unique energy and community.

websites: www.couchsurfing.com/laurenalia
find me on facebook! laurenalia@gmail.com