Born in Palestine in 1946 of Armenian descent, Hasmig Vartanian grew up in Beirut Lebanon until immigrating to the US with her family in 1956. She holds a BFA degree in Fibers from University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 1977, and an MFA in Painting and drawing from Washington State University, Pullman, WA. 1980. Teaching includes Loyola University, Public Schools of St. Tammany Parish, Talented Art Program and Southeastern University in Hammond where she is currently adjunct instructor in drawing.