"Sonder," a Solo Show by Lauren Manninen: Third Floor Gallery

"Sonder" explores the quiet weight of intertwined living beings. Each individual human, animal, or plant carries their own inner experiences and climate. Inspired by natural phenomena such as erosion, gravity, and our changing ecosystems, this body of work reflects on the unseen experiences that surround us. Each painting is a moment of presence, a meditation, and an invitation to witness without intruding.

Lauren Manninen is a visual artist based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Her work is rooted in mindfulness, abstraction, and the natural world. Lauren holds a BFA in Painting from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and spent time studying art in Japan. She currently owns 5th Story Studio in downtown Cedar Rapids. 

The exhibit will run September through November 2025.