It's a Colorful Life

By Megan MonteMarano

Life’s journey is never a straight line nor is it black and white. Yet, as we grow older, things often have a way of losing color. Bergen County muralist and art teacher Lauren Mandal hopes to change this trend, bringing color — and with it, life, energy and joy — back into the lives of her students and community.

For Mandal, color is at the center of all that she does and all that she is. That is why it should come as no surprise when you see her work — a unique burst of brilliant hues painted on the playgrounds, exterior walks and the walls of Westwood’s Brookside and Berkley Elementary schools.

“I look to bring color to the unexpected and inspire students with their everyday surroundings,” says Mandal.

“From having students paint ceiling tiles as book covers leading to the library and challenging them with colorful math problems as they climb stairways, to creating under-the-sea-themed water fountain work that hydrates their imaginations.”

Inspired by her students, who show no fear when they are given the freedom to create, Mandal embarked on her latest endeavor to open Yellow Door Art Studio in Westwood. The studio is a space where people of all ages can squiggle and circle through the creative process of art without judgement. Mandal describes art as the desire to create, not how well you do it.

“When someone walks through Yellow Door, my hope is that they follow their imagination,” she says. “This is not something that can be taught, only empowered and I hope that they can then carry this knowledge and confidence with them through life.”

Art and self-expression have always been core to Mandal. Some of her earliest memories are with her grandma, who was also an artist, buying her paint and encouraging her to experiment with it. In middle school, she began painting murals in her bedroom. When friends came over, Mandal would let them paint on her walls. Even then, she saw the power and joy people experienced when painting on something other than paper.

It was in college, though, that Mandal was truly able to explore her creative side without boundaries. For the first time in her life, professors provided her with a sense of space for her one-of-a-kind ability to create using unconventional materials like pantyhose, resin, rice and beans. Focused on painting and sculpture, Mandal was given the opportunity to take master’s courses during her undergrad. With this, also came the privilege to use two studio spaces: one in the undergrad area and one with the master’s program students. She is forever grateful for her time in these studios, where she was surrounded by other talented artists and a blank canvas to express herself.

To further share the healing power of art with others, Mandal eventually went on to receive her teaching certification. For the past 15 years, she has viewed her role as a teacher as providing the materials, but letting her “little artists” decide what’s going to happen rather than follow step-by-step instruction. She believes creation should be personal, and sharing the finished product true bravery.

“Nothing is better than students saying they don’t want to leave your class,” says Mandal. “Or when they ask to stay during lunch, or tell me that they feel happiest in the art room. My teaching style has always been very unique and I hope truly memorable.”

With the support of her administration, Mandal regularly takes students into the halls to make an impact on their everyday surroundings. They paint the walls, ceiling tiles, stairs, garbage cans, bathrooms – you name it!

“I love to see how empowered a young person gets when you hand them a brush and tell them they can paint a wall. They feel trusted, valued, and important.” Mandal makes sure to provide endless creative freedom in the art room, and updates her projects every year with fresh ideas.

One of her favorite outdoor murals and playground projects was a combined effort by the community. People of all ages and backgrounds came together to transform an old park building into a four-sided mural with beautifully painted flowers spreading to the ground – a torrent of color that can now be seen by Google Earth from above.

“I love seeing children play in the places I paint,” adds Mandal. “The art becomes alive when kids are hopping, skipping, and laughing amongst what I have created. I draw upon that as I set my brush towards the next.”

Eager to continue sharing her passion, Mandal’s latest venture, Yellow Door Art Studio, is now open for all to enjoy. This colorful, messy, free-spirited studio allows individuals to explore their creativity with elevated Art + Craft + DIY experiences for kids and adults that span age parameters. From fashion design and cartooning to painting and sculpting, cookie decorating, seasonal workshops, parties, and summer camps, the options are unique and vast.

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Other workshops include, “Kool Kicks Shoe Art,” “Kid Spin Art,” collage/mood board nights for teens and moms alike, and even black light painting parties.

“In all that I do, whether through the studio or playground murals, my aim is to always confidently spark creativity and self-expression, while also promoting and developing our youth’s self-esteem,” says Mandal. “I hope when kids walk into Yellow Door Art Studio, they experience a similar feeling of acceptance and a judgement-free space to play and explore materials, without fear of being wrong or making a mess.”

Now officially adding entrepreneur to her repertoire, Mandal is well on her way to fulfilling her mission — and she’s already started building her dream team to help. Never thinking of herself as a leader of a group, but rather, more of the visionary, finding people who believe in her vision and who can carry it out when she can’t, is the key to her confidence and success.

When asked how she juggles her studio with teaching, Mandal responds, “I just keep watering both gardens. I share my gift with as many schools and kids as I can –which in turn, replenishes and grows me and my passions.”

In addition to her new business, Mandal has other playground murals planned throughout Bergen County. This spring and summer, be on the lookout for her work at JCC Tenafly Camp’s outdoor track and playground, Midland Park’s Godwin Elementary School and a community mural at Fair Lawn’s Memorial Field by their newly installed basketball courts, with more to be confirmed soon.

For more information on Yellow Door Art Studio and to plan your visit today, check out the website, www.yellowdoorartstudio.com/. You can also follow Yellow Door’s Instagram at @yellowdoorartstudionj for colorful projects, ideas and events.

Holy Name held their annual Fashion Show at Teaneck Marriott to benefit their MS Center. For more information, visit www.holyname.org/mscenter.