Growing up with her adoptive family, East senior Lauren Henninger remained in a close relationship with her birth mother, Lindsay Dunbar. 

Dunbar notes that in one of the first conversations with her daughter, the bond was immediate.

“I already knew what [Lauren] was going to say before she answered all the questions that I had to ask her because it’s exactly what I would have said,” Dunbar told Spark. 

Having relationships with both families, Henninger says she is eternally grateful for her relationship with her birth mother.

“We just get along so well, and she just definitely influenced my love for art, and has shown me what the act of creating means to everybody around the world,” Henninger told Spark. 

Since before she can remember, Henninger has been inclined to create whatever art she puts her mind to. To her surprise, she quickly found out that it was because of her family tree. 

Dunbar explains that both of her biological sides of the family are artistic in some way, shape, or form. 

With all members having varying styles, Dunbar describes Henninger’s style as “unique”. 

“Her style is just one-of-a-kind, and it really stands out from the rest,” said Dunbar. 

Recalling Henninger’s childhood, Dunbar remembers the first moment her daughter became involved with art. 

“[Lauren’s] family sent me one of her first pieces of artwork when she was in kindergarten,” said Dunbar. “I remember thinking ‘Oh she’s gonna become an artist.’ I just knew.” 

Other than nature and the Earth around her, Henninger is highly inspired by the artist Frida Kahlo. 

“She encapsulates herself in her emotions in such a way that I’ve never seen before,” said Henninger. 

This is exactly what she hopes to bring to the table in terms of her own art, and also her life. One of Henninger’s best friends, East senior Grace Allan, cherishes her personality as well as her art. 

“She really just enjoys the little things in life,” Allan told Spark. 

During Henniger’s freshman year, she took Fine Arts with teacher Scott Mental. He notes that she often stood apart from other students with her passion and personality. 

“Just spend five minutes around her and you will be laughing or smiling,” Mental told Spark. “She just has one of those personalities that attracts other people to come meet and spend time with her.” 

Beginning with elementary school art contests that she was predominantly winning, this is where Henninger began to establish her victorious art career. 

“Lauren’s work blows me away. She’s doing things that I know I could not have done when I was her age,” said Dunbar. 

In her junior year, she was presented with a first-place award in “Tomorrow’s Artist Today” exhibit at the Middletown Arts Center. Recently she won a top 25 in the state award for Governor’s Youth Exhibition. 

Henninger claims that winning these contests is not what matters, as she cares a lot more about the sentimental meaning in her drawings, rather than whether it wins first place or not. 

“[Lauren] really looks within herself and finds what she needs to show visually that she’s keeping all up in there,” said Allan. 

With all of her art, Henninger tends to be a perfectionist. 

“If I don’t give 110% for every project, then I don’t think that there’s a point for me to even start it,” said Henninger. 

Often with the stress of having to perfect her art, she finds an outlet in yoga. 

“[Yoga] just grounds me and helps me connect with myself alot,” said Henninger. “There’s no stress there, no worries, and it’s just a space for me to appreciate my body and what it gives to me.” 

Looking towards the future, Henninger is committed to Ohio University, and is majoring in Art Education. 

“I see her wherever she ends up teaching, being one of the biggest local advocates for the arts in her community,” said Mental. 

Seeing her work ethic in class, Mental foresees a bright future for her. 

“I know she will do well at OU and when she lands her first job,” said Mental. “She will instill the creative energy in her students.” 

Allan agrees and says she cannot wait to see what Henninger will do. 

“She’ll be the nicest art teacher, and she will be living out her dream,” said Allan. 

From March 15 through April 10, Henninger’s art will be displayed at Liberty Center, for the Colors of Creativity Lakota Art Showcase and featured on Local 12 News. 

“Lauren is incredibly gifted, so courageous and special and beautiful inside and out, and I’m just so proud of her,” said Dunbar. 

Finishing up a painting, Henninger smiles thinking about her future in art. 

“Drawing, painting, watercolor and all that is who I am, and who I want to be,” said Henninger.