Visiting artist Laura Berman delivers lecture, holds workshop, and juries print exhibition at UH Hilo

While visiting UH Hilo to jury the university’s annual print exhibition, Laura Berman gave a public lecture and held a workshop to make a print edition with students.

Laura Berman with some of her paintings of pastel pebbles in background.
Laura Berman in her studio. (Photo: Lindsay Clipper)

By Susan Enright.

The art department at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo hosted contemporary artist Laura Berman who juried the just-opened 2024 Pacific States Biennial North American Juried Print Exhibition. The exhibition, initiated in 1982, brings contemporary artworks from all across North America to Hawaiʻi Island. This cultural resource runs from Nov. 1 through Dec. 30 at the UH Hilo Campus Center and is free and open to the public.

While on campus last month, Berman, a professor at the Kansas City Art Institute where she has taught printmaking and book arts since 2002, gave a public lecture and held a workshop to make a print edition with students.

“It was enjoyable in every way, and I learned a lot from the experience,” says Berman. “Working closely with [UH Hilo] students was one of the best parts of my entire trip, and I’m glad that was a focus of the visit. It is also nice to hear that my presence made an impression in their world.”

Artist Lara Berman (center front) with participants in a printmaking workshop the artist gave while visiting UH Hilo to jury an annual print exhibition. (Photos courtesy Dept. of Art/UH Hilo)

Berman is a native of Barcelona, Spain, where her love for pattern, design, and bold colors originated. She creates images inspired by the natural world, from supernovas to pebbles, and is currently a professor at the Kansas City Art Institute where she teaches printmaking and book arts.

She has exhibited in over 150 exhibitions at galleries and museums internationally and her prints are widely collected.

Professor Berman received her bachelor of fine arts from Alfred University and her master of fine arts from Tulane University.


Story by Susan Enright, a public information specialist for the Office of the Chancellor and editor of UH Hilo Stories. She received her bachelor of arts in English and certificate in women’s studies from UH Hilo.

Share this story