Beth Kathleen Hetland

Beth Kathleen Hetland is an Adjunct Professor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), specializing in comics and visual narrative. She holds an MFA from The Center for Cartoon Studies (CCS) and a BFA from SAIC. Her academic roles include teaching courses on comics production, professional practices for freelancers, and graphic novel workshops. Her research and creative work explore narrative structure, dream theory, and interdisciplinary art, often blending science fiction and emotional depth.

Her notable publications include the critically acclaimed Half Asleep series (co-written with Kyle O'Connell), Tender, and Fugue Omnibus. These works have been recognized with awards such as the DiNKY Best in Show and Stumptown Best Small Press. She also contributes to educational resources like Drawing Comics Lab.

Recent courses include Comics: Summer Residency, The Artist Formerly Known as Starving: Freelancing Comics and Illustration, and Graduate Projects: Comics Writing. Her academic interests emphasize the intersection of art, storytelling, and community engagement.

Hetland’s work is held in collections such as the Ontario College of Art and Design, the Library of Congress, and the Joan Flasch Artists' Books Collection. She has received awards for teaching excellence and part-time faculty contributions at SAIC.