Meet Katie Hivencamp | Art professor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Katie Hivencamp and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Katie, what inspires you?
I’m inspired by women’s history, industrial materials, such as iron and metal, Sailor Moon the anime show, women’s crafts, and contemporary art.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I think all artists have a very unique story and reasons why they go into this type of career. I was really drawn to making with my hands and how things that I make with my hand can communicate specific ideas and have the ability to affect change in the world. I feel that art is much more than making just something that is pretty or beautiful, art doesn’t necessarily have to be pretty. It can be impactful and powerful and there’s so many different ways. You can approach it. I feel like the art is a direct connection to the artist trying to connect with a viewer or many viewers.
Doing this career path was not easy and it required a lot of support in many different ways and it still does. It definitely requires encouragement and risk taking which luckily I have a strong community that encourages that. I think it’s important if you’re going into a creative field to be persistent, hungry for opportunities, and not give up. Also, don’t be afraid to push your practice in ways that you don’t expect. Try things that you wouldn’t normally try doing in the studio. Also, don’t be afraid if you don’t know how to do something. There’s always a way to learn it somehow.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would take them for walks around my area. I live in a unique area that has a lot to do with the history of the United States. Pennsylvania has had a lot of American history happen in the state and where I live happens to be a UNESCO world Heritage site oh, I would definitely take someone to visit that. We would go to a couple of my favorite places to eat. I like to seek out lesser known places that have really unique foods. Sabor poblano, the wonder kitchen, Orizaba are some of my favorite places to go. We would probably go up to the Poconos and see the mountains because the scenery is really beautiful. And we would also go to some of the local museums.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My parents, my professors such as Mary Neubauer, Cristin Millett, Charles Garoian, Angela Ellsworth, Tom Lauerman, Bill Doan. My art teacher in high school and middle school Gina Devlin. My artist friends and student students. My colleagues from graduate school and my coworkers at the schools I’ve worked for.

Website: https://Www.katiehovencamp.com

Instagram: @katiehovencamp

Facebook: Katie Hovencamp