I was born in Marshalltown, Iowa, and grew up in a house designed for my parents by Frank Lloyd Wright—surely an imprinting force on a mid-century, Midwestern childhood. At home, life was rich in free time, outdoor space, and materials from the creek bed and surrounding woods. Summers were times for arts camp with sun-rise yoga, dance workshop intensives, and later, South Bear School for the Arts near Decorah, Iowa, where Joseph Langland compassed body, place and song in teaching the making of poems.
These experiences found shape and discipline at the University in Iowa City, with a double major in Art and English, an Honors Exhibition in Printmaking, and placement in Iowa Writers Workshop Undergraduate classes. An MA followed from Iowa’s Printmaking Department, with Mauricio Lasansky and Keith Achepohl leading the training of artist/teachers.
The 80’s brought work as itinerant college professor, gallery director and curator; successful fine press wood engraver (Manhattan, Poems by Amy Clampitt, 1990); and exhibiting oil painter. The decade was productive, though decidedly not gainful. So again, I matriculated—this time at University of Wisconsin, where, supported on wings of the Graduate School, I enjoyed a provocative knuckling-down with Walter Hamady in the Book Arts/Letterpress Lab. I left Madison with food in my belly and MFA in hand.
My next prospect, a short-term teaching job in Pennsylvania, converted to an expanded package in the person of Pete, Guru of Spheres Binary. We migrated to Greeley, Colorado, where I headed Printmaking and Book Arts at University of Northern Colorado from 1993-2001; and where our daughter, Svetlana, came into being. Today, as Svetlana makes music in San Antonio, I keep my home base in Greeley and Pete conducts life on Storm Mountain. In this way, we thrive, each of us happy at altitude.
margaret sunday tapestry 
Margaret! Kathy Dorn Walker here in Canon City. It only takes a moment to find you, and yet it has been years. I was looking through “The Woodcuts of Harlan Hubbard”, mentioned you again to my husband Dave, and here I am.
You are still in Greeley! Svetlana is in college, amazing the time that has passed. I have been teaching the last 15 years at Florence High School, and am now the oldest teacher in the school…perhaps district. Art has been good, and I have helped some incredible young people on their way. I still love art and teaching, yes, and printmaking, though I help students more than work on my own. The current climate in teaching has made me begin assessing my options.
I am part of a small gallery in Florence, a co-op that is dear to my heart, and think of the days that I may be able to enjoy exploring my own work again.
I think of you whenever I plan prints or help students with theirs. I hope to see you and your work one day. Many thanks for your insight and input. Cordially, Kathy.
Kathy,
How great to hear from you! I think of you too, particularly when I come across those little Greek horses. I’m glad you are well and that teaching has been meaningful for you. We are here and there, but the Greeley house is our home base. Stay in touch–Margaret
Lots of things to say and so many things have been wondered about of course. But just so you know and hopefully grin… I show upper level students Manhatten every semester, some of your prints are security screwed to walls in buildings on campus, and I still see Jim from time to time. (we bought a letter press from him a couple of years ago).
Life is strange and we all forget or ignore many things but luckily not everything.
Peggy.!!!!! Just climbed out of a ravine at the Church Camp.. Hope You are WELL.. MANY thoughts of our “Youth”. PEACE.BLESSINGS!!! Drew