Katherine Huala

Born in Guatemala and raised in the United States, Katherine Huala earned her M.F.A. in photography from the University of Florida and her B.F.A. from The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art. After receiving her M.F.A. Katherine received her certification in art education from Pratt Institute. Her photographic work is an investigation of cultural displacement, geography and identity and institutional representations of the unfamiliar. Katherine’s teaching practice is anchored in developing self-expression, critical thinking and visual literacy through a sustained investigation and connection to the materials and processes of art making. Her art making and teaching practice cross-pollinated in distinct teaching contexts, including teaching in New York City public schools and museums.

In addition to her 15 years of teaching, Katherine has worked as a critical educational partner with the NYC school system and major museums. Such initiatives include the 2013 revision of the New York City Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in the Visual Arts and a 2017 update to align the Blueprint with the newly revised New York State Learning Standards for the Arts. Katherine also worked as a citywide facilitator for the arts, designing and leading a variety of professional development for New York City visual arts educators. She has worked in partnership with New York City’s museums (The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Met Breuer, The Museum of Modern Art, The American Indian Museum, and the Brooklyn Museum) on the development and implementation of cross-curricular units of study for New York City’s schools. 

Katherine’s current work and research is focused on CRSE (Culturally Responsive and Sustaining Education). In partnership with Studio in a School she is developing, writing, and piloting CRSE curriculum for K-12 students. The project is designed to support teaching-artists as well as NYCDOE public school art teachers in teaching units of study that integrate art and activism, thereby supporting students to create works of art that tell their stories and inspire change on social issues that matter to them. 

B.F.A., The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
M.F.A., Photography, University of Florida, School of Art and Art History
NYS K-12 VISUAL ART CERTIFICATION, Pratt Institute, Art and Design Education