Today we’d like to introduce you to Nancy Harrell.
Hi Nancy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I received my BFA from Cal State University Fullerton, and later received my secondary Art Education credential. After freelancing as a graphic designer and illustrator, personal circumstances led me into the academic area of the Arts. I became the founding Director of the Visual Arts Department of the Orange County High School off the Arts in 1987. We grew that program on the campus of Los Alamitos High School so fast we had to find a new home in Santa Ana CA in 2000.We expanded from the original 5 departments to 11 departments of the arts in those years. In the last 3 years, I became the Dean of Arts with my Co Dean, David Green. Due to personal decisions in 2003, in made the move to the south Orange County and opened a second conservatory program called California Conservatory of the Arts, which got folded in to a new High School opening in the area- JSerra High School. I became a Vice Principal at this High School at the time but after 3 years, I moved back into the art room environment that i missed so much.
After 12 more years in the classroom I retired. But not really! I became a docent at the Bowers Museum but then Covid came along and shut everything down. So after everything was opened back up I was asked to become a part of another local High School Art department- Santa Margarita H.S. and I became their Community Outreach Coordinator to create a better community awareness and footprint for local art shows and participation in things like the John Wayne Art Contest, Laguna Beach Junior Festival of the Arts, Santa Margarita City Art Show and Film Festivals.
During this time period another opportunity came my way through the `new City of Hope campus treatment center and hospital. The president had a vision of this new campus in Irvine, CA. having a rotating art gallery of Orange County Artists. She wanted to know if I could make this happen and curate 11 walls of local artists every six months. We are now on our 5th showcase, and the word is out, we have 130 artists that display at any given time with up to 150 pieces each show. This is where most of my efforts are currently in my endeavors!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
If i have come up to an obstacle, I have always figured out a solution or a compromise!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am mainly a watercolor artist and a pen and ink artist. My style is more illustrative. I love color and whimsy. i also love teaching and watching the light come on in someone’s mind when they really “see” something for the first time!
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Encouraging others as well as yourself that the arts matter to all people. The arts make you a more balanced human.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nancyharrellart.com
- Instagram: @nancyharrellart
Image Credits
James Harrell Photographer
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