About Elizabeth
Elizabeth Higgins is an Oregon artist, instructor and nature connection guide who teaches watercolor classes and nature connection workshops that connect people to nature, mindfulness and creativity. She teaches for the Walters Cultural Arts Center in Hillsboro (Oregon), Hoyt Arboretum in Portland, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at University of Richmond (Virginia) and various Master Naturalist programs. She is a workshop instructor for Sitka Center for Art & Ecology in Otis, Oregon and the Eliot Institute in Seattle, WA. Since April 2020, she has been teaching classes online connecting to dozens of students each week through Zoom.
Elizabeth’s favorite medium is watercolor and she finds purpose and joy in expressing herself through the use of bold pigments and interesting shapes. Painting is playful and freeing for her, and these are the feelings she hopes to instill in others. As a teacher, Elizabeth encourages others to have fun creating, to be open to possibilities, and to be confident in one’s own creative expression.
Elizabeth understands the importance of nature and creativity to positive mental well-being, and has completed certification in nature therapy practices to augment her teachings. She has also completed numerous trainings in Creative Aging program development. She is a juried member of Watercolor Society of Oregon and has won local awards for her vibrant, colorful watercolor paintings.
Resume
Profile
Watercolor painter, arts instructor, and nature connection guide. Owner of Flourish Studio Classroom. Juried member of Watercolor Society of Oregon. Experienced workshop instructor and public speaker.
Teaching Experience
- Hoyt Arboretum, Portland, OR – 2019 – present
- Walters Cultural Arts Center, Hillsboro, OR — 2015-present
- Sitka Center for Art & Ecology, Otis, OR – 2023 – present
- Osher Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Richmond, VA – 2025-present
- Oregon State University Extension Services, June 2020 – present
- Assembly PDX, Portland, OR – 2018-2020
- Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center, Cornelius, OR — 2017-2018
- Village Gallery of Arts, Portland, Oregon – 2017 – present
- HomePlate Youth Services. Beaverton, Oregon – 2017 – 2019
- City of Beaverton, Oregon Employee Art Program – Spring 2017
- Art Literacy Program, West Union Elementary – 2005-2010
Related Experience
- Speaker, Tualatin Valley Creates, 2022-2024
- Speaker, City of Hillsboro Creative Connections Speaker Series, October 2019
- Speaker, Corvallis Art Guild, “Starting an Arts Business,” May 2019
- Juror, Village Gallery of Arts Spring Award Show, April 2019 & Fall Award Show, October 2024
- Publicity Chair, The Village Gallery of Arts, Portland, OR 2011-2015
- Member, Washington County Cultural Coalition, Hillsboro, OR 2006-2008
Education
- University of Oregon, M.S. Information Management
- University of Virginia, B.A. Rhetoric and Communications Studies
Shows & Awards
Awards
- Village Gallery of Arts Spring Award Show 2018 – 1st Place – Portland, OR
- Village Gallery of Arts Spring Award Show 2016 – 3rd Place – Portland, OR
- Village Gallery of Arts Fall Award Show 2015 – 3rd Place – Portland, OR
- Village Gallery of Arts Spring Award Show 2015 – 2nd Place – Portland, OR
Group and Solo Shows
- “Creative Brilliance,” Walters Cultural Arts Center Teaching Artists, March – April 2022
- “Creative Terrains” invitational group show in celebration of the opening of Hidden Creek Community Center in Hillsboro, Oregon 2021
- “2020 Spring Experimental Exhibition”, Juried by Michael Reardon, Watercolor Society of Oregon, Spring 2020
- “2019 Spring Experimental Exhibition/Traveling Show,” Juried by Jean Pederson, Watercolor Society of Oregon, April – October 2019
- “Joyful Flowers,” Solo Show, Classic Body Restoration, Portland, OR – March – April 2019
- “Journeys” Group Show, Westside Women’s ArtShare Group, Hillsboro Main Library, May – June 2018
- “Deconstructed Abstracts” Solo Show, Village Gallery of Arts, Portland, OR – February 2017
- “Going on Record” Group Show, Westside Women’s ArtShare Group, Insomnia Coffee – October 2016
- Group Show, Village Gallery of Arts, Justice Center, Downtown Portland, April – June 2016
- Instructor and Student Print Show, Multnomah Arts Center, Portland, OR – April – May 2016
- “Coastal Landscapes” Solo Show, Village Gallery of Arts, Portland, OR – December 2015
- “Food & Drink Paintings” Solo Show, New Seasons Market, Hillsboro, OR – October 2015
- “Wax Paper Landscapes” Solo Show, Shute Park Library, Hillsboro, OR – March – April 2015
- “200 Under $200” Group Show, Oregon Society of Artists, Portland, OR – November 2015
- “Hillsboro Plein Air” Group Show, Walters Cultural Arts Center, Hillsboro, OR – October – November 2015
- Wax Paper Landscapes” Solo Show, New Seasons Market, Hillsboro, OR – October 2014
- Rose Festival Group Show, Oregon Society of Artists, Portland, OR – June 2014 s, Portland, OR – June 2014
