PAINTINGS BY SUE WALL

South Euclid, Ohio -- October 24, 2008 — Notre Dame College’s Clara Fritzsche Library will host “Paintings,” an exhibition of works in acrylic by Sue Wall.  This internationally known artist and former Clevelander is noted for her detailed architectural renderings of Victorian houses.  Cats are also a favorite topic and will be well-represented in this show.  Wall, a native of Garfield Heights, Ohio, started painting at age three. She earned her B.F.A in ceramics and drawing and M.F.A. from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio.  Upon graduation she moved to New York City to pursue her professional career, where she still resides. For years Wall led the life of the proverbial starving artist, living in a version of the typical artist’s garret: an illegal attic space with no plumbing. By chance a gallery owner had attended one of her exhibitions in Columbus, Ohio, which led to showings at a Madison Avenue gallery.  At one of these showings the president of Zephyr Press approached her about publishing some of her work in a calendar and her career was off and running. By the age of 21 she had New York gallery representation, two one-woman shows and numerous commissions.

Wall exhibits extensively in both solo shows, group shows and juried art shows throughout the country.  Her work is in the permanent collections of museums worldwide including the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Butler Institute of American Art, The Hague, Netherlands, the Yale University Art Collection and the Trisolini Gallery at Ohio University.    She is listed in American Artists of Renown, Who’s Who in American Art and Outstanding Artists and Designers of the Twentieth Century and American Artists: An illustrated Survey of Leading Contemporary Americans among many other reference works and is included in the Archives of Women Artists, National Museum of Women in Washington, DC.  Wall has accumulated countless awards, honors and accolades for her work.  One particular award has special meaning for her.  In 1993 her alma mater, Ohio University, awarded Wall the Medal of Merit, the highest honor the school can bestow upon an individual. Wall also is a member of a variety of associations including the Victorian Society of America, the American Craft Council, the American Artists Professional League, the Miniature Society of Florida and Audubon Artists.

Wall also finds the time in her busy schedule to give back to the community.  Her local ties remain strong and she has contributed works for charitable causes locally, such as the WVIZ Televised Auction, the Art Therapy Studio Benefit Auction in Cleveland, the Red Brick Center for the Arts Benefit Auction (to preserve an historic schoolhouse in Westlake) as well as in her adopted home of New York City. She is grateful for the educational opportunities afforded her and has set up endowed art scholarships at Ohio University, her alma mater, and the Cleveland Institute of Art.  As a child Wall received art lessons after her teachers, recognizing the talent of the young artist, took up a collection to send her to Saturday classes at the Institute which would have been otherwise unaffordable to her family. The experience affected her profoundly and because of this every year she funds a full-week summer Institute course and a CIA scholastic achievement award to help a needy student buy art supplies.

The exhibit is free and open to the public and will run from November 6 through December 17, 2008.  An opening reception will be held on Thursday, November 6th from 6 to 8 p.m. with a gallery talk by the artist scheduled for 6:30 p.m. The exhibit may be viewed during library hours:  Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday 1-10 p.m.  For more information, contact Karen Zoller at 216-373-5267.