Instructor Profiles

Elizabeth Isakson-Dado​
Printmaker

My Philosophy...
 I believe that the role of pedagogy in studio art is to place students in a thriving, interdisciplinary context, instilling both a conceptual understanding of contemporary art and a strong skill-set to achieve their artistic goals.  

My role as a professor is to create a collaborative, student-centered approach to dialogue that inspires, rather than problematizes, a work in progress.  

Diversity and inclusion are a necessity for students to learn from one another, to be empowered to be themselves, and to feel that their individual voices are valid and important in their artistic lives. I believe in the values of free speech, equity, dignity, and respect in the classroom. 

In the field of fine arts, where we work through critique in subjective subject matter, our words are important, our personal views are valid, and treating one another with fairness and acceptance allows the classroom culture to flourish. I believe in seeing my students, and listening to their stories to break down the subjectivity or institutional barriers that may make them feel “othered” or less than worthy of telling that story. Regardless of background, race, gender, ethnicity, economic status, neurodiversity, or disability, each voice deserves presence, understanding, and representation free of stereotype or assumptive trope. 

Students should feel empowered, and not discouraged, through the process of critique. My teaching style aligns with core values and beliefs on diversity and inclusion, and as professor, I will foster a classroom community of respect, dignity, and acceptance. 

I am certain that my commitment to teaching studio art as a dynamic, contemporary practice will inspire and challenge students to create thoughtful and well-crafted artwork.

My Story...
 I am an artist, an educator and a curator.  I hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Printmaking from Wayne State University and a Master of Fine Arts in Interdisciplinary Book and Paper from Columbia College Chicago. I have  exhibited widely in the United States, and have work in institutional collections including The Center for Book and Paper Art, The Poetry Foundation, and ETC Editions/Art in Print Magazine. I live and work in Berkley, Michigan.

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