Bio

Kat Pong was raised in Maryland, close to Washington DC. Art and practical arts were an important part of her life growing up.  Drawing, painting, sculpting, fiber arts, music, and drama were all ways she learned to process and express herself.

Kat received a BA in Studio Art with a focus in sculpture, and a BA in Technical Theatre with a focus in Lighting Design from the University of Maryland, College Park. While in college, she studied scenic painting techniques with the theater department and fine art painting techniques with the art department.    

Kat worked as a freelance theater designer and scenic painter for a few years during and after college, including props and set designs for Wildwood Summer Theatre, Washington Savoyards, and Imagination Stage and scenic painting at Center Stage in Baltimore. In 2005, she designed, installed, and operated the lighting for Jefferson Pinder’s short film, “Invisible Man,” which showed in multiple galleries, including the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC.  She also contributed to the Crochet Coral Reef Project at the Smithsonian Institution in 2010 where she was working as the technical director for their children’s theater, Discovery Theater. Currently, she is the technical director for Springbrook High School’s Drama Club, where she teaches the theater arts to the next generation.

Glorious Wildness at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort is Kat’s first professional exhibit.  

Artist’s Statement

Kat grew up camping, hiking, and visiting national and state parks all over the US, and learned to appreciate nature, wildlife, and the outdoors. Kat still enjoys traveling, and finds inspiration in stunning vistas, off-the-beaten-path destinations, and other natural settings away from the bustle of urban life. 

She started college at UMCP as an astronomy major but soon realized her real passion is in the arts. Her varied education showed her the interconnectedness of all knowledge. Art, history, math, science, language, are all different approaches to understanding the world we live in and our place in it. For Kat, painting is a way to understand and appreciate the natural world.

Rediscovering her joy of fine art painting, Kat developed her own personal style with acrylics on canvas and wood. She enjoys pairing vivid fanciful landscapes with detailed realistic animals, capturing her wonder at all the beauty nature has to offer.

Conservation of nature, wildlife, plants, and ecosystems is important to Kat. She’s seen many wondrous locations, flora, and fauna on her travels and wants to make sure many more generations will be able to appreciate their beauty. She will donate 50% of the money she receives from sales of her paintings to a nature conservation organization.

Instagram: @katpong.art
Email: [email protected]