INSTRUCTORS

LAURIE HANSEN

Laurie Hansen, the youngest of five children, was born and raised in Seattle, WA. Later in life, Laurie attended Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Studio Art, focusing on ceramics and painting. She is proud to be the first person in her family to earn a college degree. 

Upon graduation, Laurie founded the Community School of Arts at Gallery One, a contemporary art gallery in Ellensburg. She grew the school from a few students a week to over 100 students a week in just seven years. Her K-12 students learned a variety of disciplines including drawing, painting, collage, ceramics, and more. There were many opportunities to get involved with community art projects, exhibits, summer art camps, and even teaching art in public school–her dream job.  Laurie always believed that teaching art to children helped them solve problems and gain the confidence they could use in real life. After all, isn’t art about solving one problem after another and making decisions every step of the way?  

In 2014 Laurie moved across the country to be near her family in Pensacola, FL. It didn’t take long to find her “tribe of artists”.  Laurie has developed the art of Gelli printing and collage art, learning this technique from fellow artists and from attending workshops. She also continues her art education by taking online, university-level art classes. Knowing and understanding the principals of art and design is important to her and it is her lifelong pursuit to always be learning and growing.

Laurie uses the influences of nature in her work, and is deeply moved by the colors, shapes, and the ethereal spirit nature provides. Her collages are rich in color with hints of flowers, trees, mountains, leaves, and other organic patterns. Laurie’s artistic style is influenced by Andy Goldsworthy, one of her favorite artists, whose work exudes his love of nature. It is this calmness and almost ethereal beauty that influences her work.