Liz Larson has been exploring the many artistic possibilities of Downtown New London as a resident artist at The Hygienic Art Co-op for nearly five years. Having had her start as an art student with very high expectations, the prospect of a career in the arts has been a challenging and unpredictable one.

Seeking hands-on experience in the world of graphic arts, she first got into the screenprinting trade while living in Portland, Oregon. This experience led to a job as a sandblasting technician (using a photo emulsion process) for glass etching. When she moved back to Connecticut, sign painting came into the forefront, as she learned several techniques and applied her artistic knowledge doing work in sign shops and on her own as a designer for local businesses.

The desire to find a living situation most suitable for working in the arts is what led her to the community in New London and to the Hygienic in particular. Here, Liz has monitored and scheduled Life Drawing sessions and has participated in youth educational activities as a volunteer through Hygienic and other organizations such as Artworks of Norwich. She is also currently involved with the F.R.E.S.H. Community Garden of New London. Her goal now is to gradually become accredited toward a teaching career.

Earlier this year Liz was the recipient of the second place award at the Slater Memorial Museum's Connecticut Artists annual juried exhibition. Slater Museum is on the campus of her Alma Mater, The Norwich Free Academy, so this achievement was been a great honor for her.

She is also an active musician as well as a visual artist, and aspires to continue with this. She can be seen playing around town with such bands as Brazen Hussy, Dan & Liz and The Liz Larsons.