Originally from New England, Laurel grew up in Northwest Arkansas and made her way to Southern Utah in 2018. She attended Southern Utah University, originally pursuing a degree in acting. However, she quickly realized her true passion for healing through the arts and changed her degree to Interdisciplinary Studies. She combined Theatre, Psychology, and Nutrition into one degree and earned a certificate in Human Values along the way. This seemingly strange combination allowed her to initiate the “Artistic Wellness” research project, which aims to transform the “starving artist” stereotype by promoting sustainable practices for artists’ health and creativity. Now, she is pursuing a Master of Arts in Arts Administration from Southern Utah University and continuing her Artistic Wellness research. Laurel is committed to fostering healing through the arts, aiming to create environments where artists and audiences can experience the transformative power of creative expression.