Karena Massengill

Karena Massengill Bio and Mission Statement

I am originally from Ukiah, California. As a child I took classes at the Mendocino Art Center. I attended Goddard College in Vermont, California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland, and Temple University, Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia graduating with my BFA in 1975.

After immigrating to Canada, I worked as an artist, received numerous grants, exhibited my work and created public art projects. I trained as a welder-fitter at George Brown College, paid by the Canadian government, alongside convicted felons seeking a job on the Trans-Canada pipeline. I wanted to be the female David Smith!

I continued my work as a professional artist on my large-scale public art projects as a welder fitter. At the University of Toronto I earned a Bachelor in Art Education and Industrial Technology in1983. I married my Australian husband in Canada before we moved to Long Beach, California in 1986. In 1993 I graduated with an MFA in Sculpture from CSUF.

My public art experience includes indoor, outdoor, painted and fabricated murals and sculptures, working with governmental and private agencies. I love the challenges each bring. I won the statewide public art competition for Rosie Dog Beach in Long Beach and was selected to create work for the Gateway to Downey.

My travels and exposures to different cultures and religions around the world have served to inspire much of my work. A safari through Kenya and Tanzania, and a trip through Japan are reflected in my new bodies of work.

Karena Massengill
February 11, 2019