Katina Cook is a Florida native but moved all over the states with her military father and family. She spent most of her adult life in North Carolina and finally planted her roots back in Florida in 2007. With a degree in education in 1995, her career as a Pre-K teacher, Director, and private school teacher spanned almost 20 years. While she taught the youth their ABCs and 123s, art was always at the forefront and was incorporated into daily lessons. Once her two children became adults, Katina decided to restart her life and go back to school to pursue a degree in art. She began her journey at Northwest Florida State College, and within a year, she transferred to the University of West Florida. Along this journey, she has found her passion in ceramics. She is scheduled to graduate in spring 2023 with her BFA.
I have always had a love for art and creating. My first love was drawing; sharks to be exact. Not your average subject for a third grader, but I was obsessed at the time. My subjects steadily changed, and I was the Art Editor drawing satirical cartoons for the school paper when I was in high school. After high school, I didn't pursue my passion for art. Instead, I pursued a degree in Education. But my first love was never far away as I incorporated art into every aspect of teaching. Fast forward almost 30 years, and I find myself back in school. Finally ready to live my dream. And as I started my first semester, I was introduced to pottery and the wheel. I found a new love and haven't looked back since. I am constantly learning new techniques, finding new tools, and new obsessions. A love of flowers and peacocks has made its way into my clay, and my work is definitely "blooming."
-Kat
EDUCATION
2022 BFA (pending), Studio Art, University of West Florida, Pensacola, FL (expected Spring 2023)
2020 AA , General Education, Northwest Florida State College, Niceville, FL
1995 AA, Early Education, Johnston County Community College, Smithfield, NC
EXHIBITIONS
2022 2022 Tagged: Student Art and Design Exhibition, Center for Fine and Performing Arts, University of West Florida, Pensacola, FL
2022 Semi Annual Pop-Up Exhibition (Fall), Building 82, Center for Fine & Performing Arts, University of West Florida, Pensacola, FL (Invitational)
2020 Arnie Hart Juried Student Exhibition, Mattie Kelly Arts Center Gallery, Northwest Florida State College, Niceville, FL
2020 Arnie Hart: Salon de Refuses Student work, Mattie Kelly Arts Center Gallery, Northwest Florida State College, Niceville, FL
COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS
2018 Mural Painting, Shoreline International Food and Deli, Class project under supervision of instructor Yvonne Lebrun, University of West Florida, Pensacola, FL