Dee Hansen
Artist Statement
I have long identified as an artist, having been born into a family deeply rooted in the arts. I studied art throughout high school, where I was also active in Stage crafters and worked on the school newspaper. In 1961, I was awarded a scholarship to study Fine Art at the University of Illinois and furthered my studies through Saturday classes at the Art Institute of Chicago.
I met my future husband, artist Harry Hansen, in high school. In 1970, we moved to Columbia, South Carolina, where he joined the faculty at the University of South Carolina. I later completed my BFA in Studio Art there in 1978.
My professional work has included positions across a range of departments at USC, including Anthropology, USC Press, Geochemistry, and Medical Illustration—experiences that informed both the discipline and breadth of my artistic practice.
My work has been exhibited widely, with showings at the Florence County Museum, Sumter Gallery of Art, South Carolina State Fair, South Carolina Water Media Society, Aiken Center for the Arts, Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County, McKissick Museum, and Columbia College, among many others.
I continue to be an active presence in the arts community, currently leading a watercolor group at the Shepherd’s Center of St. Andrews.
Born 1943, Chicago, Illinois
Education
BFA, Studio Art, 1978 — University of South Carolina
Art Studio, 1961–64 — University of Illinois
Art Institute of Chicago, 1964–65
