Elizabeth Ward

Elizabeth Ward serves as Professor in the Department of Art and Art History at Trinity University, San Antonio, with cross-appointments in Environmental Studies. For over 30 years, her professional practice has centered on painting and drawing—particularly works on paper—exploring intersections of natural history and the environmental crisis through exhibitions at major Texas institutions including the San Antonio Museum of Art and McNay Art Museum.

Ward’s research manifests in eco-critical artistic production, notably her Mississippi River drawing series and watershed-themed installations. Her Outdoor Studio course exemplifies this integration, transporting students to natural sites across San Antonio for on-location creation. Thematically, her work interrogates hydrological systems, climate change, and ecological memory through abstracted landscapes and site-responsive media.

Recent exhibition trends reveal consistent focus on water as both medium and subject—from Floating Life: Mississippi River Drawings (2019) to Watershed (2017)—often employing large-scale paper works that document environmental transformation. These projects frequently engage scientific concepts like deep time and hydrology while maintaining strong ties to Texas regional ecology.

Ward actively shapes academic discourse through leadership roles: chairing Trinity’s Neidorff Art Gallery programming committee, co-developing the university’s environmental studies major, and serving on the San Antonio Museum of Art Artist Advisory Board. She supports Texas art ecosystems via donated works and partnerships with institutions like the San Antonio Audubon Society.

Her collaborative networks extend to environmental organizations and university-wide initiatives, including faculty governance through the Faculty Senate. Ward also participates in Trinity’s Wellness Program as a dedicated yoga practitioner, reflecting holistic engagement with campus life.