Rayden Lawrence is an lgbt+, 22 year old emerging artist. Rayden is from Canso, Nova Scotia and he graduated with a BFA in Visual Arts from Memorial University in May 2021. Rayden periodically addresses lgbt+ identity and racism in his work, inspired by challenges he has faced in his interracial same-sex relationship.  Rayden does not limit himself to one medium, though he finds himself drawn to painting. He enjoys life drawing, illustrating landscapes, and elements from childhood. 

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Rayden’s artwork has been exhibited in British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Ontario, Quebec, New York City, Atlanta, Baltimore, London, Spain, Germany, and South Korea. His work has been published by zines and art magazines in Tennessee, Texas, Illinois, Nevada, India, Nigeria, and the United Kingdom. Rayden has experience teaching visual art to youth, and volunteer experience curating an online exhibition for the Little House Gallery. Rayden has been recognized as a promising student, as he has received many awards from Memorial University. Rayden has been awarded The University Medal for Academic Excellence in Visual Arts, The Wabush Mines Fine Arts Travel Bursary, The Division of Fine Arts Mercy/ Presentation Education Fund Award, The Raymond J.G Pafford Memorial Scholarship, and The Tina Dolter Award in Visual Arts twice, in both 2020 and 2021. Rayden has also received over 20,000$ in merit-based grants.

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