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Ceramics Professor Kathryn (Katie) Queen first discovered ceramics while in high school at the age of fourteen. “As soon as I touched the clay, it became a driving force for me,” she recalled. “Once I touched this medium, it really made me hyper-focus.”
Teaching became a focus early on. When she moved to Los Angeles, she built an entire art program at Yeshiva University High School, where she taught for nine years. Her journey eventually led her to Los Angeles Valley College, where she first joined as an adjunct instructor. When a full-time position opened later, she was selected for the role and has now been teaching full-time for about ten years.
Professor Queen describes her early experiences at Valley College as warm and welcoming, particularly within the Art department. “The ceramics community in particular is very inviting,” she said. “People were very quick and eager to be supportive.” She now serves as Chair, a role she assumed two years ago.
The Art Department at LAVC offers a wide range of creative opportunities for students interested in exploring or pursuing art. According to Professor Queen, the department is built around practicing artists who remain active in their fields. “Everybody who teaches here is an active artist,” she explained. “They’re showing their work and pursuing their professional practices.”
Professor Queen believes community colleges play a critical role in helping students discover their creative direction. “Community colleges offer an equal playing field,” she said. Because the cost of higher education can be overwhelming, community colleges allow students to experiment with different disciplines without the same financial pressure. Students at LAVC represent a wide range of backgrounds and life experiences, from recent high school graduates to working adults and retirees exploring new creative interests. “It’s a place where people can take chances and try new things.”
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