Faculty

Liza Halvorsen was born in Los Angeles, California, moved to Vancouver, B. C. Canada at age 10 and eventually settled in the Seattle area. Since childhood she has been drawing, painting and making art objects. The interest in color and form, ‘the region between painting and sculpture’ influenced the decision to study ceramics and earning a BFA at the University of Washington studying with   nationally recognized artists Howard Kottler, Robert Sperry and Patty Warashina.

After a tour in the Peace Corps in Central America, establishing a studio, showing in galleries, and teaching in community programs, Liza chose to pursue graduate studies and earned a MFA at Mills College in Oakland, California.

Teaching Philosophy

“I am committed to the belief that art education is a valuable component to the education process regardless of the student’s chosen field.  Learning to “see” develops acute visual perception, heightening awareness of one’s own environment as well as conveying an appreciation of cultural diversity. Making a successful pot or an accurate drawing can build the self-confidence to try other new territories in the academic field and in life skills.”

For the more 20 years, Liza has been contributing to community arts as a juror, a classroom volunteer, and participating in community projects such as the Licton Springs Park. She has produced and shown works in solo and group exhibitions in galleries and museums. Her Art has been reviewed and included in various publications and is included in both public and private collections. Since completing the MFA, Liza has been taught in colleges and Universities in the San Francisco Bay area and Seattle.

“Living on the coast and drawing inspiration from natural forms such as rocks, marine life and seedpods inspire sculptural form reduced to a basic geometry. The hand built ceramic forms are finished with pre and post fired color and texture. My artistic challenge is to communicate something unspoken to the viewer that can be felt.”

Liza balances her time between teaching college art courses, family and sharing a studio with artist husband, Larry Halvorsen.
 

Liza Halvorsen

The Courses Taught:

Intro to Art, Art 100
Ceramics, Art 211,222,and 223
Sculpture, Art 211, 212, and 213

email: Liza Halvorsen <lhalvorsen@sccd.ctc.edu>
phone: office 206-528-4537

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NORTH SEATTLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE - 9600 COLLEGE WAY N., SEATTLE, WA 98125
ART DEPARTMENT (206) 528-4535 email - echriste@sccd.ctc.edu