About Karen

Karen Arp-Sandel brings 25 years of experience as an artist/educator to her role as IS183 faculty artist and 3-D ARTS Department Head. She holds a BA and teacher certification from University of Massachusetts. She completed a Graphic Design and Illustration portfolio development program in Rochester, NY. As a graphic designer she freelanced in illustration and commercial art. She completed Kripalu Yoga teacher certification in 2001at Kripalu Center in Lenox, MA. Her years of experience as a classroom teacher include both public and private schools.

As a dedicated artist generating copious collage and mixed media work, Karen is the creative whirlwind of Collage Eclectica Studio in her Canaan, NY home. Her style includes making both abstract and narrative collages. Maintaining a steady postal discourse with mail art, she also enjoys bringing artists together in unique collaborations. With over 20 years experience in watercolor painting, she enriches her travel experiences and journals with landscape paintings and spontaneous illustrations. She paints “plein air” watercolors, makes artist books and assembles both altered object and found object constructions. Her art can be seen in local galleries, at IS183 and within private collections in the US and abroad. Her online gallery can be viewed at HYPERLINK "http://www.curioustouristproject.com" www.curioustouristproject.com. Her passion as an artist spills over into all aspects of her life. In Feb. 2008 Artful Mind magazine, she is the featured artist. On June 11, 2008 she is presenting an Artist Talk about her artwork, for the IS183 lecture series. She is a member of CCCA in NY. Karen offers private art instruction and “Continuing Collage Education” workshops. She conducts Collage Eclectica Studio visits and art sales by appointment.