Montgomery College’s Center for the Arts is proud to present the artwork of Susie K. Harrison from June 4-July 12, with an opening reception on Tuesday, June 5, from noon-2 p.m. Harrison will make a special presentation at 1 p.m. for guests attending the opening reception. This marks the first full exhibit in the newly-named Mary Matteson-Parrish Art Gallery at Montgomery College, located in Building D.
Harrison graduated with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from the University of North Texas in 1976. For three years, Harrison worked as a graphic artist for several local companies. The lack of creative challenges prompted a return to school to obtain a teaching certificate from Texas Wesleyan University. In 1981, she began her teaching career with the Birdville Independent School District, where she taught high school art for 25 years. Instructing students to explore and enjoy art was fulfilling, but creating art was her passion. She retired from public education in 2006 to concentrate more time in her studio.
Harrison named her current exhibit Liminal Moment to express a valuable time.
“Liminal is a term describing a pause in time between the familiar present and a future change,” Harrison said. “Standing at a threshold of transition, one often struggles to relate to the unfolding process. There may be the realization that previous boundaries are no longer are relevant.”
She chose this term and style based on her personal reflections.
“An increasing busy pace in my life created my own desire to honor silence,” she added. “Practicing mental silence and physical stillness opened time to rest, heal and learn. Adverse events in this period of my life became portals to creative growth.”
Harrison’s work has been presented at Texas Christian University’s “Art in the Metroplex” annual show, numerous Fort Worth Gallery Nights, and Texas Wesleyan University. She has acquired multiple solo shows where she has shared insights to her work and presented songs pertaining to her art series.
Linda Woodward, chair of visual arts at Montgomery College, emphasized the importance of this shared art work in the gallery and the talent of Harrison.
“Susie Harrison selects the human form for the subject of her work,” said Woodward. “The viewer is brought close to the figure in a narrative that contains the familiar and the enigmatic. Her absence of color and incorporation of soft shadows emphasize this. One seems to walk away with some personal interpretations of the situation portrayed and/or a sense of questioning what the scenario fully encompasses. Harrison's portrayal of the figure is both fresh and introspective, viewing the figure in a highly subjective manner.”
The Matteson-Parrish Art Gallery is a teaching gallery at Montgomery College, and the presentations and artwork provided are free to the campus and community. Gallery hours are modified during the summer, with open hours Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information regarding the exhibit, contact Amy Cooper at (936) 273-7021.
For more information about Montgomery College, visit montgomery.lonestar.edu, or call (936) 273-7000. Lone Star College–Montgomery is located at 3200 College Park Drive, approximately one-quarter mile west of I-45 between Conroe and The Woodlands.
NHMCCD, among the five largest and fastest growing community colleges in Texas, comprise, Cy-Fair College, Kingwood College, Montgomery College, North Harris College, Tomball College, six satellite centers, and The University Center.