Native New Yorker, Joan Furia Klutch grew up in New Hyde Park on Long Island. Entranced by the Island's abundant plants and flowers, Klutch's first ambition was to be a horticulturist. While pursuing studies in ornamental horticulture, the beauty of the blossoms and foliage she worked with daily inspired her to begin painting.

Klutch was awarded a merit scholarship by the American Watercolor Society and attended the National Academy of Design where she studies under Mario Cooper, NA, AWS. Motivated by Cooper's encouragement, she continued her education at Long Island University and earned her B.F.A., Magna Cum Laude in 1982.

Summers find Klutch conducting workshops at the Hampton Knoll Studio in East Hampton, New York. During the winter, her workshops are held at the Harbour Lane Studio on Sanibel Island, Florida. Students (many return year after year) invariably complete her watercolor and mixed-media workshops with heightened sense of form, color, theory and design. Klutch has been an adjunct professor at Long Island University at Southampton, and is available to teach workshops, judge competitions and conduct demonstrations for regional and national organizations.

Klutch is a signature member of the American Watercolor Society. Her work has been featured in shows and museums nationwide and hangs in private and corporate collections across the United States. She has been a guest artist at the Parish Art Museum and at the Master Art Workshop, LIU.

Solo exhibits include shows at the Fine Arts Gallery, LIU, the Design Studio and Studio Connection in Southhampton, NY, and a recent show on Sanibel Island, Florida. Her work was selected for the American Watercolor Society's 18th Annual Exhibition at the Salmagundi Club, NY. This traveling exhibit was ultimately displayed in twelve museums around the United States. Presently, Klutch is affiliated with Images Gallery, Naples, Florida.