Karen Petersen

Karen Petersen was born and raised in a small town in northern Michigan.  The town was somewhat isolated, and she drew much inspiration from the solitude she found there.  Petersen had an extensive art education, first receiving a B.S. from the University of Michigan, attending Parsons School of design, and studying sculpture at both Central Connecticut College as well as the University of Rhode Island.  Additionally, she studied under the renowned American sculptor, Chaim Gross, while at Parsons.   

She is well known in Connecticut, for her work as a professor at the Hartford College for Women for nearly 20 years. Her bronze sculpture Family was commissioned in 2004 by the Greater Hartford Arts Council and is near the pond in Keney Park in Hartford, Connecticut.