Kate Elliott started her career in glass as a student of Harvey Littleton at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1971. Elliott was among the earliest participants at the Pilchuck Glass School (1972). Later she taught Professional Practices for Artists there, served as acting director (1990) and still serves on the Trustee Circle. She was the artistic and business assistant to Dale Chihuly (1974-88) and the secretary of the Sculpture Department at Rhode Island School of Design (1976-1979) where she expedited the Visiting Artists Program instituted by Chihuly in 1976. Elliott worked as a private art dealer specializing in glass (1980-93) in Arizona and Washington. She is now a certified appraiser of contemporary studio glass based in Oregon.