 In 1965, Johnson was awarded a grant to study at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago where she received a Master of Fine Arts in 1967.Johnson was invited to teach graduate level classes at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in Ceramic Sculpture in 1998 and at the Rhode Island School of Design in Public Art in 2001.Johnson is the recipient of numerous grants and awards, including the Governor's Award for the Arts, Kohler Company Arts and Industry Grant, Arts ConText, Rhode Island School of Design Museum and the Pew Charitable Trust, Arts International Travelling Fellowship, Raven Foundation, and the Illinois Arts Council.