Susan Harris is Associate Professor of Art + Design at Southern Utah University, where she has taught ceramics and sculpture since 1996. Prior to that, she was Artist-in-residence at the Alliance for the Varied Arts in Logan for 17 years and is a Fellow of the Council for NCECA. Her work is currently on view in four shows nationwide.
What hangs above your mantel?
My fireplace, down in the family room, is made of genuine Utah wonderstone, so nothing hangs there. But upstairs on my antique sideboard sits, front and center, a “Sterility Figure” sculpture by Georgia artist Don McCance. I’ve always thought that it can’t hurt to have such a talisman in a state with our explosive population growth.
What is the most memorable exhibit you’ve seen recently?
Three weeks ago I was dazzled by Woody Shepherd’s astonishing, colorful show of very large landscape paintings on exhibit upstairs at the Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art in Logan. He’s most definitely an impressive artist to keep an eye on!
What is your favorite building in Utah (and why)?
I live in Cedar City, and our most unexpected and improbable building just happens to be my favorite: the lighthouse at the south I-15 exchange. Although incongruent here in the desert, the sight of it affords me a chance to reflect on my growing up years on Long Island and my many visits to Fire Island and Montauk Point, and all the lighthouses in-between the two.
This is our chance to check in with members of Utah’s art community to see what they’ve been reading, seeing, doing.
Categories: On the Spot | Visual Arts
