Sharon M. Louden

Sharon M. Louden is a multidisciplinary artist and educator affiliated with Western Connecticut State University as part of the School of Visual, Performing, and Communication Arts. Her practice spans drawing, painting, sculpture, installation, and animation, with works held in prestigious collections like the Whitney Museum and National Gallery of Art.

• Education:
  • MFA, Yale University School of Art (1991)
  • BFA, School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1988)

Research Interests: Louden’s work explores abstract visual languages, material innovation, and the intersection of art with social engagement. Her editorial projects, such as Living and Sustaining a Creative Life, examine artist-led cultural production and career sustainability in the arts.

Scientific Awards:

• National Endowment for the Arts Grant (2020)
• Ford Foundation funding (2018)
• New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship (2013)
• Gold Kahuna Award (2009)

Grants & Leadership Roles: She received NEA and Ford Foundation support for her Artist as Culture Producer tour and serves as Interim Artistic Director at Franconia Sculpture Park. Her teaching spans institutions like the School of Visual Arts and the New York Academy of Art.