Claudia Sisemore, a distinguished teacher, artist, and filmmaker, passed away on Aug. 9 at the age of 86, leaving behind a profound legacy that shaped the lives of many within Utah’s art community. Known for her charismatic presence, creative spirit, and deep dedication to the arts, Sisemore’s influence extended far beyond the classroom, touching the lives of her students, colleagues, and the many artists she documented through her films.
Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Sept. 16, 1937, Sisemore spent her childhood in East Millcreek and Granger. She graduated from West High School, earned a Bachelor’s in English from Brigham Young University in 1959, and a Master of Fine Arts in filmmaking and painting from the University of Utah in 1976.
Sisemore’s early years as a teacher at Hillside Junior High in Salt Lake City are fondly remembered by former students like artists Layne Meacham and Trent Thursby Alvey, who recall not just her stylish appearance but her ability to connect with and inspire her students. Meacham recalls her as “hot stuff” when she was 21, driving a silver Jaguar XKE, while Alvey, who was an 8th-grade creative writing student, remembers her stiletto heels, cashmere sweaters, and a demeanor that set her apart from other teachers.
“Claudia was my first ‘not-boring’ teacher; in fact, she got my full attention,” Alvey reflects, highlighting Sisemore’s ability to foster a creative atmosphere. “She set the tone for my whole life of creativity in that class. Many of her students will agree that Claudia showed us a way to shape our creative lives into the future.” Meacham adds, “She was not uptight and could relate to all the students. The other teachers seemed to be about 20 years behind her in demeanor, dress, and understanding of the culture the kids were relating to.” Sisemore’s approachability and understanding of the complexities of the era endeared her to her students, who felt accepted and encouraged by her.
Her impact, however, was not confined to the classroom. From 1979 to 1994, she worked at the Utah State Office of Education as an educational filmmaker. At the same time, she received several grants as an independent filmmaker to produce documentary films on Utah artists. Sisemore became a prolific filmmaker, capturing some of Utah’s most significant artists and cultural figures on film. Her extensive body of work includes documentaries on seminal artists such as LeConte Stewart, Denis Phillips, Alvin Gittins, Francis Zimbeaux, and Lee Deffebach, as well as notable figures like dance teacher Virginia Tanner and Utah Symphony Maestro Maurice Abravanel. She produced more than 20 films, chronicling the artistry of organizations such as Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company, Children’s Dance Theatre, and Repertory Dance Theatre.
Sisemore’s journey into filmmaking began somewhat serendipitously. Initially trained as a classical pianist, she pursued a bachelor’s degree in English from Brigham Young University. Her path took a turn when she wanted to attend graduate school for painting at the University of Utah. Lacking an undergraduate degree in art, she was offered a spot in a newly developed filmmaking program, which allowed her to take art classes as well. It was here that she began to merge her passion for visual art with the medium of film.
Her first major project was a film on LeConte Stewart, which came about through a suggestion by her mentor, Ed Maryon. Initially reluctant, Stewart eventually allowed Sisemore to film him, marking the beginning of a close friendship and a successful documentary career. “We became the best of friends,” Sisemore recalled, “and he loved the film.”
Sisemore’s success as a filmmaker can be attributed to her deep connection with the community she documented. She was not just an observer but an active participant in Utah’s art scene, which gave her films a unique intimacy and authenticity. Her works are cherished not only for their artistic value but also for the way they have preserved the legacy of Utah’s cultural history. She was the University of Utah College of Fine Arts inaugural Legacy Award recipient at the 2018 Distinguished Alumni Awards Legacy Assembly, which honored “an alum whose seasoned and successful career has brought deserved acclaim not just to them but to the program from which they attended here at the University of Utah as well.” Completed documentaries will be held online at Marriott Library Special Collections. The Salt Lake City Public Library System is copying the films to make them available for checkout, according to Alvey.
In addition to her filmmaking, Sisemore was an accomplished painter, known for her abstract works that often employed Color Field techniques. Her paintings have been exhibited at Phillips Gallery and featured in significant annual exhibitions like the Springville Salon and BDAC Statewide Annual. Her work was also showcased in a special exhibit at Rio Gallery, organized by Alvey and Layne Meacham, that highlighted Sisemore’s influence on other artists.
Even in her later years, Sisemore remained dedicated to her art. Though she scaled back her filmmaking due to physical challenges following a serious car accident, she continued to paint, creating vibrant works in her kitchen studio. Her paintings, often characterized by their exploration of color and form, reflect the same creative energy that defined her life.
Sisemore’s home, which she shared with her beloved cat Monkey (who remained with her until the very end), is a testament to her lifelong dedication to the arts. “What I valued about Claudia was not only her artwork but her attention to the history of Utah artists,” says gallerist Bonnie Phillips. Sisemore’s walls are adorned with her own works as well as pieces by her friends and fellow artists, including Francis Zimbeaux, Randall Lake, Don Olsen, and LeConte Stewart. Her living room, filled with Color Field paintings and her distinctive “wood pieces,” serves as a vibrant gallery of her life’s work.
Her contributions to the arts were recognized in 2015 by the Utah Arts Festival, where she was honored with a Mayor’s Award in the Arts. Despite her many accomplishments, Sisemore remained humble and dedicated to supporting the next generation of artists. Edward Bateman, a digital artist and assistant professor at the University of Utah, credits Sisemore with helping to shape his own career, recalling her as one of the first people to believe in his potential:
“Claudia was an artist through and through! And it showed in everything she did. Her documentaries on artists and dance companies were her way of sharing her excitement for all the arts. She loved artists – I never heard her say a negative word about any artist. Her eyes instantly revealed her commitment to mischief; likely one of those life lessons from art: rules must be bent or broken to make something exceptional. There is no doubt this was required when she went to school to study painting and filmmaking – at a time when women were actively discouraged (or worse) in the academy. Exceptional indeed was what she would go on to create.”
Claudia Sisemore’s legacy will continue to inspire future generations of artists and filmmakers. Her contributions to Utah’s cultural heritage are immeasurable, and her influence will be felt for years to come.
Her funeral is Friday, August 16, 2024, at Memorial Holladay-Cottonwood Mortuary, 4670 South Highland Drive, Holladay, Utah 84117 at 1:00 p.m. with viewings Thursday, August 15, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and again from 12:00-12:45 p.m. on Friday at the same location. Interment will be at Memorial Holladay Cemetery, 4900 South Memory Lane, Holladay.
A graduate of the University of Utah, Ann Poore is a freelance writer and editor who spent most of her career at The Salt Lake Tribune. She was the 2018 recipient of the Salt Lake City Mayor’s Artist Award in the Literary Arts.
Categories: In Memoriam | Visual Arts
Ann, a beautiful tribute to an astonishingly talented woman and friend to many. Zoe’s portrait of her is stellar. Thanks for your time and talent preparing this life sketch.
Ann Poore is an exemplary journalist, and when she writes about an artist of Utah, she does so from personal insight acquired over the years. During the decades our artists have been building their careers and practicing their craft, Ann was studying and contemplating and writing professionally about the larger scene, getting to know her subjects as people. There’s a good chance that when she covers an artist, it’s someone whose work hangs on the walls of her home. In short, between her exquisite descriptive powers and her deep, intimate knowledge, Ann is an irreplaceable member of the Utah arts scene.
Excellent article on a remarkable artist. Thank you, Ann.
Ann Poore captures the life and creative energy of one of Utah’s beloved members of our arts community. Thank you.
Claudia became part of our Draper family in Sanpete County when her sister married my father. After owning a design business, deciding to get my BFA in painting and drawing at the art department at the U, I too experienced her love for art, and artists. Claudia supported me in thoughts and focus as a non-traditional student at a later age, having some professor discouraging older students come back to school. I do not know a singe person who did not like Claudia. a Lee Deffenbach love her, having Claudia give me insight when care for Lee at the end of her life. Claudia was a giver, a teacher and always a friend to the arts and artists who were lucky enough to share her space in life.
Thank you Ann, for this beautiful piece about Claudia.
Man, what a woman! The minute I met her, I was hooked. What an honor it was to work with her – if even for just a few afternoons. But better yet, to call her a friend. She will be missed, and always in my heart! -zoe