Dawn attended the Enterprise public school system where she was mentored by Gary Wishart the longtime and outstanding high school art teacher. From Gary, she not only learned many technical skills but also the intrinsic value of an art education. Dawn went on to earn as BS in Art along with minors in Anthropology and Gender Studies from Eastern Oregon University. After showing her artwork for a number of years and starting a family Dawn returned to school and earned an MFA in Painting and Sculpture from Washington State University.
Dawn has shown her artwork throughout the Pacific Northwest for two decades receiving many awards. In 2013 she received a Fellowship to attend a workshop with internationally recognized artist Craig Drennen at the prestigious Anderson Ranch Arts Center.
As well as showing work in numerous art exhibitions, Dawn has years of experience working in an academic art setting. Dawn has been a studio assistant, teaching assistant, art instructor, and has worked in and helped to manage multiple on campus galleries holding every position from docent to curator. She is happy to now be a part of The Josephy Center for Arts and Culture and hopes to further their mission to celebrate, promote, and inspire arts and culture for all.