Laura Anne Brooks is a lawyer, artist, and entrepreneur. She served as Senior Counsel for Artsy, the world’s leading online marketplace for fine art, and General Counsel for Paddle8, a global art auction house. She is the founder and CEO of Art LAB, the social art studio space providing self-guided painting tutorials for all skill levels. She previously founded WingCircle, a social discovery app that connected solo female travelers. Her artwork has been represented by galleries in New York, Miami, and Berlin.

Bakehouse is grateful to Laura for all she is doing to support and elevate the role of artists in Miami and beyond. Through her foundation, she made a significant donation to sponsor three artists’ studios for 2023.

Why is it important to support artists and the organizations that serve them?

I believe it's very important that our society supports people from all backgrounds who choose to dedicate their careers to expressing their voice through art. Artists help us understand the world, it's complexities, it's challenges, and it's wonders, and help us understand ourselves within these evolving paths of existence. Artists help connect ourselves to each other, and uplift humanity as a collective. It is unfortunate that very often these voices go unheard, which is why it is so important to donate to organizations that help amplify these voices to the world.

What inspires you about Bakehouse?

Bakehouse to me is more than just a place for artists to work. It is a home for them to collaborate with each other to create works that couldn't have been created in isolation. Bakehouse also goes beyond just commercial space by providing invaluable benefits such as professional development and exposure to art from different cultures. In short, Bakehouse provides artists with a 360 degree support structure to help them create to their maximum potential.

Why should someone donate to Bakehouse?

To continue to help support these invaluable services that Bakehouse provides to these incredibly important voices of our time, particularly at a time when it's becoming increasingly challenging to find affordable studio space in Miami.

What is your wish for Bakehouse as it embarks on its next generation for 21st century art making?

To continue expanding it's ability to support more artists through both financial and professional development, and to continue exposing their voices to the communities in Miami, the US, and abroad.

Anyone wanting information on how to sponsor a studio, please contact cathyleff@bacfl.org.