Joan Collett Brown is a third generation San Franciscan who has spent most of her life in Marin County.
When the Collett family moved to Mill Valley in 1949, they became very active in the Mountain Play and other community activities.
Joan earned a Bachelor of Arts in history from Stanford University, a secondary teaching credential from San Francisco State University, as well as a Master's Degree and Administrative Credential from Dominican University.
Before working as an educator, she visited Venezuela as a member of the Peace Corps. Her career in education was spent in the Dixie School District in San Rafael, where she assumed many roles, first as a teacher, later as a counselor and finally as an administrator for guidance.
Joan has traveled extensively. When she is neither travelling nor painting, she actively participates in singing gropus, plays team golf, and spends time at her family's gold claim in the Sierras. (Miner with shovel, right).
Twelve years ago, Joan volunteered to observe elections for OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe), and the United Nations.
Joan has been a student of Ning Hou, the renowned Sacramento Delta artist for more than ten years. Lately she has concentrated on painting from photographs she had taken on excursions to the countries where she worked as a long-term observer.
AWARDS AND EXHIBITIONS
- Larkin Street Group Shows: 2001 AND 2003
- Marin Open Studios: 2003, 2005
- Marin County Fair: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
Honorable Mentions- Homeless Dog 2008
- Road to Picar 2009
- Marin Society of Artists National Juried Show
2009
- Homeless Dog
- Four Artist Christmas Show, Sausalito 2008
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
To my brothers Elmer, Cedric and Brian