Why in Shades of Green? Because no one in America lives an entirely "Green" life. But we can all consider making small changes in our habitual routines that will promote our own personal health as well as the health of our planet. In this way, we begin living our lives in shades of green.
-Lizzie Harris 2007
Lizzie Harris is an artist who is concerned about the state of the environment and how the actions of artists, art buyers and art educators affect the natural resources of the world. Please check the Links page for helpful resources concerning the production, purchasing and disposal of supplies used in the name of ART.
Harris graduated in 2003 from Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia. She obtained a B.A. in Film & Photography and gained formative insight from some amazing opportunities. During her time at Hollins, she was able to pursue internships that formed her decision to become an educator.
In New York City, Harris witnessed the high-brow inner workings of the photographs department within the Museum of Modern Art. She admired the many talents of MoMA Photographs Curator, Peter Galassi, who speaks eight languages, commands the largest collection of significant photographs in the world AND takes a nap every afternoon on a couch in his office. Harris also ran with the fast-beating pulse of the photography market behind the revolving auction display door at Sotheby's. She was inspired by the poised determination of Sotheby's Director of Photographs, Denise Bethel: the consignment goddess who travels near and far to find precious photographic gems to be auctioned off to the highest-bidding collectors.
Back in Richmond, Harris interned at Style Weekly, an award-winning alternative magazine. At Style, Harris photographed everything from new restaurants to punk rock kids who feed the homeless.
Harris enjoyed the backstage world of the museum and auction house. She also found trying to infuse local news with an artistic eye to be exciting and challenging. However, Harris remained most inspired by the teachers that first taught her the craft that began as an elective and would direct her future. Rita Root and Dixon Christian are teachers at St. Catherine's School in Richmond, Virginia. They are both instructors of photography. It was their mentorship and constant encouragement that inspired Harris to pursue a terminal degree in photography that would enable her to continue her art and to teach at the college level. She moved to Savannah, Georgia in August of 2004 and began graduate classes at the Savannah College of Art and Design.
Harris graduated during the Summer of 2006 with an M.F.A. in Photography. She currently resides in Oxford, Mississippi and is a freelance photographer, artist and volunteer for the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council. Before moving to MS, she taught traditional black and white photography during the summer at Cat's CAP - the Creative Arts Program at St. Catherine's School. She also taught digital art and photography at the Teen Studio School at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Harris continues to search for freelance and teaching opportunities as well as venues to showcase her artwork. |
