Karen Van Gamper

Bio

"I was born and raised in Michigan, and attended high school at Bloomfield Hills Andover High School. I attended Albion College and the University of Michigan, as well as summer school at the University of Colorado, graduating with majors in English and Art in the School of Education at U of M with both BA and MA degrees.

"I taught high school art in Ann Arbor for awhile, but moved back to Bloomfield Twp. to enjoy painting and exhibiting in galleries and group shows in the area. Through the years I served on the board of the Michigan Water Color Society as Traveling Exhibition Chairman and occasionally as Social Chairman for over 25 years. I was the Official Artist of the Port Huron to Mackinac Island Yachting Race, and held exhibits of marine art at the Port Huron Museum and at Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island. Through the years I taught art classes for young children and adults through community art programs and the Birmingham-Bloomfield Art Association.

"When my husband, Henry, retired from Chrysler Corporation in 2000, we moved to Oriental, North Carolina. We love living on the east coast, with its mild climate and boating and biking opportunities, and the many friends we have made here. I am currently a member of two beautiful galleries: the Carolina Artist Studio Gallery in Morehead City, and the Village Gallery in Oriental, as well as exhibiting in the Ambleside Gallery in Greensboro. I enjoy submitting to local exhibits and creating new works of art in watercolor and oil. I am a member of the Watercolor Society of North Carolina and the Twin River Art Association, as well as the Pamlico Arts Society. I have also been active as Arts Chairman for the Oriental Women’s Club. I have also taught Children’s Art Classes in New Bern, NC., and would like to resume teaching classes eventually. Henry and I have traveled to China, Holland and Belgium, which have inspired numerous paintings."