Visiting Professor Hiromi Katayama offers art courses for campus and community

Thanks to the visiting scholars’ program, Ohio University Eastern welcomes professional artist Hiromi Katayama.

Katayama, a native of Ibarki, Japan, is currently working from her private studio in Houston, Pennsylvania. Her love for creative art began at the age of nine years old and was influenced in the studio of her mentor, Renjoin Sensei. Before she came to the United States, she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Japanese Traditional Painting from Joshibi University of Art and Design, Tokyo, Japan. She then traveled to Pennsylvania, where she studied for her Master of Fine Arts in the painting program at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.

The Visiting Faculty Scholars program enables academic departments and schools to hire exceptional faculty members who would enhance the quality and diversity of the department or school. Visiting faculty scholars are expected to diversify OHIO faculty in ways that increase representation from diverse intellectual traditions, educational institutions, life experiences, and/or backgrounds, including (but not limited to) gender, race, ethnicity, and culture.

Katayama uses traditional Japanese pigments and techniques, through traditional methods and materials, and her belief in cultural foundations in nature.

“When I create a piece of art, I hope to share my culture and a little bit of myself with my audience,” Katayama said. “Through international exhibition and public displays of my work, I strive to influence, inspire, and educate. My vision has resulted in the permanent exhibition of my work in museums, corporations, and esteemed private collections.”

Ohio University strives to develop a climate that represents and embraces different cultures and identities, and is proud to have Professor Katayama teaching students this year.

"It is my pleasure to welcome Professor Katayama to Ohio University Eastern,” Dean of Campus and External Relations David Rohall said.  “Her course offerings will be infused with her professional expertise, research and practice, elevating student engagement which will enrich our students’ learning with collaborative, hands-on experiences.”

Katayama is currently providing visual arts instruction on campus this fall offering a course titled “Seeing and Knowing the Visual Arts.” OHIO Eastern students can also enroll in two courses offered in spring semester, “Introduction to Drawing” and "Description + Drawing”. 

Ohio University Eastern is committed to sharing resources with the local community.  Visiting Professor Katayama will be providing instruction and assisting participants in the creation of an acrylic landscape painting at an upcoming community art class “Snack and Paint”, on Thursday, Nov. 9, at 6 p.m. in the Shannon Hall Theater.

For more information or to register, visit ohio.edu/eastern/community-art-class. Spaces are limited, register to attend today.