Karen Derksen
Assistant Director,
Winthrop University Galleries
and
Instructor, Fine Arts Department

Karen Derksen was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada and resided in Canada until August of 2002 when she moved to Rock Hill, SC. She is currently lecturing part-time in Art History and Visual Communication Design History for the Department of Fine Arts and the Department of Design at Winthrop University and became the Assistant Director of Winthrop University Galleries in July 2007. Prior to becoming the Assistant Director, Karen was the Director of the Office of Community Arts in 2006-07, managed the Winthrop University permanent art collections for two years and acted as Interim Gallery Director in the Spring 2004. 

Karen received a B.A. in Art History – Curatorial Studies from the University of Regina in 1993. She has always continued her education in computer technology, web design, graphic communication, mass communications and public relations and is currently completing the Masters of Arts in Arts Administration program at Winthrop.   

Karen has enjoyed volunteering for various community organizations such as the YMCA, the United Way and the Royal Lifesaving Society. She has also volunteered in different capacities for arts organizations. She was the Chairperson for the Board of Directors and Co-chair of the Fundraising committee for the Rivercity Shakespeare Festival, a summer Shakespearian Theatre Company. At the Edmonton Arts Council, a city governed arts organization; she acted as the small festival representative for the Edmonton Arts Council Festival Granting Jury and as organizer for the Symposium on the Arts. Karen is also one of the founding members of Media, Art, Design, Exposed (M.A.D.E.) in Edmonton; an organization formed to raise the awareness within the city of all forms of design.

Contact Information:

Karen Derksen
Winthrop University Galleries
106 McLaurin hall
Rock Hill, SC 29733

Phone: (803) 323-2493
E-mail: derksenk@winthrop.edu