Karen Billard
About Me
I am a designer and artist who works in a variety of media. Through Kusala Art & Design, I create jewelry and tassels, costumes for theater productions, and websites and graphics. I recently became Managing Director of the Hyannis Harbor Arts Center, where we are expanding arts programming to support emerging and established Cape Cod artists in all art forms.
I believe the arts play a central in the quality of community and personal life. For the last five years, I have volunteered with a several different arts and cultural organizations, helping with all aspects of arts management including administration, programs, education, marketing, grant writing and fund raising. The organizations include the Falmouth Historical Society, the Edward Gorey House, the Living Arts Institute, Cape Cod Poets Theater, Cotuit Center for the Arts and The Provincetown Theater.
My experience in theatre includes administration, directing, performing, stage managing and costume design. I served on the board of the Provincetown Theater from June 2008 – May 2011, and was President from January 2010. I design costumes for a number of theaters on the Cape, including the Provincetown Theater, Harwich Junior Theater and Cotuit Center for the Arts. My work as a costumer has received consistent critical notice.
As a fiber artist and figurative artist, I have exhibited and sold my work in galleries and decorator showcases in Westchester County in New York. I am a former member and Vice President of programming for the Handweaver’s Guild of Westchester, and havetaught classes in tassel making and beadwork.
I bring a broad range of skill and experience to my creative work. I combine my beadwork with hand weaving, kumihimo braiding, polymer and precious metal clays to create unique jewelry and tassels. As a painter, I am particularly drawn to figurative work. I am a patternmaker with experience in the New York fashion industry, and I have been designing websites and graphics since 2000.
I am a member of the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod, the Falmouth Artists Guild, Cape Cod Museum of Art, and Provincetown Art Association and Museum. Previous affiliations include committee member for Philanthropy Day, member of the Falmouth Cultural Council, committee member for Jazz in the Garden at the Falmouth Historic Society, and board member for the Provincetown Theater. Foundation.
The amazing photo of me was taken by Bobby Miller for his Ptown Peeps series. See more of Bobby’s work at
- http://bobbymillerphotos.blogspot.com/
