Sukey’s Story, from interview 2015
DID YOU KNOW Sukey Harris is so much more then my original definition of the title “Artist” that came to my mind whenever I heard her name. After this interview that title seems to be an incredibly understated description. This is one story I’m not sure where to begin. I felt amazingly honored to be in her creative space & see some of her work first hand.
Here is her story. She was born Mary Louise Meyer in 1934. Her mother never had a nickname and decided her children would have one. Mary Lou’s older sister, Nancy, was Skippy, her younger brother, Morris, had an old family nickname, Hickey. Mary Lou became, Sukey, after a childhood nursery rhyme. She grew up on a 110 acre farm North of Lebanon to Edna & Morris Meyer. She went to Penn State & majored in Home Ec[onomics]. She met her husband, Richard Harris, at college – they were both in the band.
Sukey was a substitute teacher at A-C for Art, Mechanical Drawing, Home Ec & English from ’68-74. In 1974, after a serious health issue, she decided to re-evaluate & redirect her life & made the decision to concentrate on what she loved – ART.
In 1979 she decided to purchase & restore the log cabin on West Main Street. This was to become a painstakingly meticulous labor of love. She decided from the start that all costs she needed to restore her new project would be raised by her artwork. She began selling her work at shows & soon was recognized not only by local people but other artists & magazines that began asking to feature her work. Her dream to restore her log home became a reality over the next 16 years with all expenses paid by her artwork.
Her art training came from a paper cutting class she took at Stauffers of Kissel Hill & as they say, the rest is history. She began reading & following artists of the types of artwork she liked & then attempted & mastered the techniques. Some of her favorite – Scheren Schnitte – scissor cutting, Fraktur, graphic drawings, gourd sculptures & tramp art.
Sukey & Richard will celebrate 60 years of marriage next year. They have 4 children & 7 grandchildren. There home was one of the most amazing & comfortable art galleries I have ever had the privilege to wander through. Did I mention she also has a gift of gardening which is noticeable as you drive by her log cabin. There seems to be nothing but beauty surrounding this soft spoken amazing woman.
When asked what she loves about Annville her response “EVERYTHING! My roots are here – my grandparents on both sides lived here. The people. I love the buildings & how people care for their properties. The college & good school system. I love it all.”From Destination Annville Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/destinationannville/posts/did-you-know-sukey-harris-is-so-much-more-then-my-original-definition-of-the-tit/1021054697927297/
Once again I want to express the amazing honor it is to have the opportunity to sit down with some of the people that live, work or are part of Annville in some way. Thank you for sharing your story with all us.
July 12, 2015
