Suzanne was awarded the North Country Citation at St. Lawrence University’s Commencement, 2019 “...for her vision and artistry” and commitment to the Adirondacks and St. Lawrence River Valley.
The northern Adirondack Mountains and the St. Lawrence River Valley region of New York State are home and the source of inspiration for Suzanne's nature-based art, illustration and digital works on paper. Her love of art and the north country began at an early age, influenced by Adirondack artist Robert Plumb–a signature member of The American Watercolor Society, long-time teacher, friend and mentor.
Education: Suzanne earned a Bachelor of Science in art education from Buffalo State where she also studied in Siena, Italy. She taught art K-12 before returning to graduate school for a Master of Fine Arts in graphic design and painting from Rochester Institute of Technology.
Experience: Her professional experience began as a graphic designer in the Educational Communications Department at State University of New York (SUNY) Geneseo and City University of New York (CUNY) New York City before coming to SUNY Potsdam in 1974. She was Director of publications and designer there, producing primarily admissions and development publications for 25 years. Her watercolor and pencil illustrations were often included in them.
Most Recent: Suzanne exhibited in the Juried Show at the Lake Placid Center for the Arts; the North Wind Gallery, Saranac Lake; the Juried Members’ Show, Venice Art Center, Venice, Florida; the Juried Members’ Show, Frederic Remington Museum, Ogdensburg, NY and has an upcoming exhibit, Light Year, a collaborative presentation of Dale Hobson’s poems with Suzanne’s illustrations.
Selected projects:
• 2013: from 2007 to present, working on The Green Golly Project, including 52 page children’s book illustrations with music CD, Green Golly & Her Golden Flute, that introduces young children to classical music—written and performed nationally by professional musicians Keith Torgan and Barbara Siesel (Tugboat Music—www.greengolly.com) The CD won the 2011 Parents’ Choice Gold Award in the storytelling category. The Parents’ Choice Awards is the nation’s oldest nonprofit program created to recognize quality children’s media.
• 2013: Cover design for Barbara Briggs Ward’s recent book, The Snowman Maker; 2010: Cover designs and 25 interior illustrations for author/illustrator Barbara Briggs Ward’s book, The Reindeer Keeper, Barbara Briggs Ward Award Winning Author of The Reindeer Keeper, The Snowman Maker and The Candle Giver
• 2005-07: Graphic designer for a 2,000 sq. ft. permanent exhibit: The Mary E. English Commons, celebrating the history and traditions of SUNY Potsdam
• Magazine illustrations have been printed in: St. Lawrence University Fall alumni magazine, Adirondack Life Magazine and Country Living Gardener Magazine
• Her watercolor illustration of the Adirondack seasons through the last century was selected to become the official Adirondack Park Centennial poster in 1992. Sold widely in New York, New England and Canada, the original is now at the Adirondack Museum, Blue Mountain Lake, NY.
Selected exhibits:
• Suzanne has been an exhibiting member of The Adirondack Artists' Guild (AAG), Saranac Lake, NY, since 2004 and is a member of Saranac Lake ArtWorks; the Venice Arts Center, Venice FL and The Frederic Remington Museum, Ogdensburg, NY
2015: Solo Exhibit: Re•Imagine, September, AAG, Saranac Lake, NY; St. Lawrence County Arts Council Member Show, Gibson Gallery, SUNY Potsdam
2013: Honorable Mention Award in The Black and White Show, Lake Placid Center for the Arts (LPCA): 2013 Adirondack Juried Art Show, LPCA
2012: North Country Regional Juried Show, Gibson Gallery, SUNY Potsdam
2011: Solo exhibit: Raquette River Seasons, October 7-November 2, AAG, Saranac Lake, NY
2009: Solo exhibit: Rustic Roots, A Different Look, July 10-August 6, AAG, Saranac Lake, NY
2008: Honorable Mention: Adirondack Juried Art Show, Lake Placid Center for the Arts
2007-08: Solo exhibit: Winter Solstice Images: Darkness into Light, November 30, 2007-January 4, AAG, Saranac Lake, NY
2005 Solo exhibit: Works on Paper: Contemplative Nature Studies integrating photography, drawing, and poetry, August 26- September 28, AAG, Saranac Lake, NY
• Gold/Silver Awards from the national organization CASE (Council for Advancement and Support of Education) for publication design and illustration
• Admissions Advertising Award, (national organization of Admissions Marketing) for two SUNY Potsdam logos
• Judges’ Citation from SUNY/CUAD (Council for University Affairs and Development) for poster illustration
• President's Award for Excellence in Professional Service from SUNY Potsdam
• Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service
• Awarded an Honorary Lifetime Membership in the SUNY Potsdam Alumni Association, 2006
She established SnowLine Design and left SUNY Potsdam in 2000 to concentrate full time on freelance graphic design, illustration and personal fine art work.
