About the Artist: Liz Cole has spent her entire life in the arts from
her elementary days in art classes at the Toledo Museum of Art to
her professional career as an art educator and administrator in
higher education.
Liz retired as Associate Dean from the College of Arts and
Sciences at Bowling Green State University in 2005. Before coming
to BGSU, she spent 22 years at the University of Toledo. Her
service there included director of the Art Education program, Chair
of the Department of Art, where she oversaw the building of the
Frank Gehry-designed Center for Visual Arts at the Toledo Museum
of Art. She also served as Associate Dean for the College of Arts
and Sciences. A nationally recognized expert on young children’s
art, she co-founded the early childhood program for the Museum in
1978. This program, which has introduced hundreds of children to
the Museum’s collections, is now a cornerstone for the Museum’s
education division.
Liz Cole’s contributions to the field of art and art education are
extensive. She co-authored the book Art to Art; has written two
education handbooks; chapters in several early childhood
textbooks; and, illustrated an anatomy book. She has also written
more than 20 journal articles and has made more than 40
presentations at regional, national and international conferences.
In addition, her work with children in inner London primary schools
has been recognized in publications as well as through exhibition
of the children’s work across the United Kingdom.