Susan Laansma Pollins

My work presents examples of the many ways water interacts with pigment to divide pictorial space to create images greater than the sum of their parts. They exemplify paths of discovery wherein the elements of design rather than replication of subject inspire each piece. Recurrent themes mingle with emergent ideas to feed an energy that is seemingly boundless and valid for my ongoing artistic journey. I savor the industry and opportunity to continue in depth my search for actualities and abstractions, intellectually and aesthetically. This is but a moment in my travels, I invite you to walk with me on that path. I would hope you could enhance these images with your own knowledge and experiences, creating a synergy and growth to us both. I would not write a novel, but a poem enhanced by our common humanity. Your added energies create a bond to enrich us all

A native of Detroit, Michigan, Susan Laansma Pollins received her B.S. as a painting major from the College of Architecture and Design, University of Michigan. She taught art in Southfield, Michigan Public Schools before moving to Pennsylvania.

A frequent instructor, juror, lecturer and demonstrator, she has taught in continuing education programs at Seton Hill University, Penn State University and Westmoreland County Community College as well as classes at the Westmoreland Museum of American Art, Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art, Touchstone Center for Crafts, Alex Fletcher Memorial Art Center and art organizations throughout southwestern Pennsylvania and privately. She is a member and past president of the Women’s Committee of the Westmoreland Museum of American Art, served as their Education Coordinator, and since 1988 as a docent. She was co-owner of Greensburg Art Supply for 18 years. Now working out of Walnut Hill Studio, Sue is an elected signature member of the Pennsylvania Watercolor Society, past president and board member of the Pittsburgh Watercolor Society, elected member of the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh and past officer and board member of the Greensburg Art Club. She is a rostered artist in the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts/Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art-Artist in Residence-Arts in Education program. She has served on the Board of Directors of Touchstone Center for Crafts. Sue’s work has been exhibited in over 30 exhibits as a featured artist plus innumerable regional and national juried shows including Pennsylvania Watercolor Societies Annual, Pittsburgh Watercolor Societies Aqueous Open, Three Rivers Arts Festivals, Westmoreland Nationals and Southwest Pennsylvania Juried Regionals. Her pieces are found I private and corporate collections plus the collection of the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art and the Westmoreland Museum of American Art.

The Greensburg Area Cultural Council awarded her “Artist of the Year” in 1999. The Pennsylvania Federation of Museums and Historical Organizations awarded her “The Heart and Soul Award of Merit for Individual Achievement” in 2002 for her work with the Westmoreland Museum of American Art. Sue was honored as the “Artist of the Year” by Touchstone in 2009, and received a Service to the Arts Award in 2013 from Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art.