Elaine Erne has been a valued member of Moore College of Art & Design for more than 20 years, bringing a lifetime of artistic experience and educational dedication to the Fine Arts and Illustration departments. A practicing artist from an early age, Erne studied painting and glassblowing at Carnegie Mellon University, later expanding her practice through graduate studies in glass casting at Temple University’s Tyler School of Art and Architecture.
Erne began her tenure at Moore in 2004 as an academic affairs coordinator, a role she held for five years before joining the Fine Arts faculty in 2010. She continues to teach at Moore’s Young Artists Workshop and Summer Art & Design Institute, helping to inspire and guide emerging young creatives. Beyond Moore, she also teaches at Drexel University, demonstrating her deep commitment to arts education throughout the region.
Read on to learn more about Elaine!
What’s your earliest memory of being creative or knowing that you wanted to do something creative with your life?
The Art Association of Harrisburg had kids’ classes on Saturdays, and I went there when I was about five. I remember making a little ladybug in all different colors, and it won a prize. I don't know if that’s when I thought about being an artist, but that’s when I realized how natural creating felt to me.
My parents put my brothers and me in art classes, music classes and sports. We were in the program a lot, and I was good at art, so I kept taking classes. My high school had a great art program, and I took private lessons with photorealist painter Kathleen Piunti. I also attended a pre-college art program at Carnegie Mellon University.
Who is the artist or designer who has influenced you most and why?
Raphael Soyer is a social realist whose work I appreciate. I also enjoy the work of painter, illustrator and printmaker William Kentridge. I also find Mark Rothko’s paintings very soothing. I like looking at the work of these artists, but I don’t feel called to create work that’s directly inspired by theirs.
My stuff is whimsical and a bit scary. I think artwork can be influenced by your surroundings and experiences, not just by other artists.
What’s the most interesting thing you’ve done recently, professionally or otherwise?
I went to Ireland with my brother to explore our heritage. It was a ten-day driving tour with my brother in a car (and a radio that didn’t work). I was driving on the wrong side of the road clutching my seat the whole time, but it was a lot of fun. We went to my mother’s family island off the west coast of Ireland.
I also had a solo show in Washington, DC, in 2022 and a solo show in Roseburg, Oregon, in 2024. The showing at the Hillyer Gallery in DC was a large drawing, and the one in Oregon was smaller prints together. It’s been exciting to see!
What is it like in your classroom at Moore?
I try to balance academics with fun because I think you can learn while you’re having a good time and laughing. I still expect things to be done on time and done well. How you create should show your own sense of self-respect. If you don’t spend a lot of time on your work, you’re not really respecting yourself or your classmates.
If Moore had a mascot, what would it be?
I think it would be some kind of hybrid animal, like a butterfly-cat-rabbit. I think the Illustration students could design something really cool—even if it’s a little spooky!
Moore College of Art & Design is the only independent art and design college in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Want to learn more about the Fine Arts major or Illustration major at Moore? Contact our Admissions team at enroll@moore.edu or 215.965.4015 to set up a call or a campus visit. We'd love to tell you more!
