About the Artist

Deborah Bates has been teaching at the college level for twenty-five years. Granddaughter of a sculptor/silversmith and daughter of Shakespearean actor father and classical violinist mother, Deborah grew up imbued with the arts of various disciplines, but far from having a silver brush in her mouth.

Her choice to study interdisciplinary visual communications led to careers in commercial and public television (producer and executive producer), communications service in the United States Peace Corps in East Pakistan (Bangladesh) where she did a significant amount of photography and writing. Once returned to the USA, following a period working in a graduate degree in the Humanities (interrelated art, music, literature), she successfully launched her own consulting firm. Shortly thereafter, she received a full-time appointment at Saint Joseph’s College of Maine which eventually led to tenure. After eight years at SJC, she chose to enter her second graduate program this time on the West Coast and solely in fine art.

With her MFA studies completed, she went on to serve on various college faculties (see below). Her initial teaching focused on introductory level studio courses and also served as gallery curator at Babson College. She soon introduced and taught popular classes at senior and graduate levels. Ultimately, her path led to a dedicated focus and commitment to her studio art and independent teaching.

Deborah Bates: "I simply love working with students. My work in the studio is very compelling but solitary and, in my current process, fairly specialized. So this interactive work with students actually complements my process and turns out to be a two-way street which is good for everyone involved."