CASSANDRA HARRIS - U.S.A. -
Her Biography - U.S.A. -
Born in New Orleans, raised in South America and educated in Switzerland, Cassandra Gordon-Harris’ artistic career spans two decades.
Her figurative paintings fuse the bold colors of her Spanish heritage with an inner belief in the power of women.
A passionate artist and dedicated teacher, Cassandra shares her love of the paint with students of all ages. Her work is supported by patrons both the East and West Coasts, as well as in Europe and South America. Her recent major exhibitions in the last few years include Pulcheria Arte 2001 in Piacenza, Italy; St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Art in 2002; Confident Gallery in St. Petersburg & Cork Street Gallery, London in 2003, Touring Group Exhibit of NAWA of New York “Traveling the Carolinas” (2004/05); group exhibits at the Boca Raton Museum of Art and the Cornell Museum of Art in 2005; the Armory Art Center in W Palm Beach and goggleWorks Center for the Arts in Pennsylvania in 2006 and 2007, the Ringling Mueum, and Longview Musemn of Fine Art in 2007. In 2008, Cassandra had exhibits in New York, Massa Lubrense, Italy and Skogas, Sweden. 2009 brought her back to New York with a NAWA show and an International exhibit at SomArts Cultural Center in San Francisco.
Voted Best of the Bay Award for her support of women artists in 2001, Cassandra curated exhibitions at Salt Creek Artworks in St. Petersburg, FL., for three years.
Her work has won a number of awards and critical acclaim. She served on the faculty of the Art Center in St. Petersburg for 10 years and was Director/teacher of Children’s Summer Art Camp at Indian Rocks Beach (Florida) Art Center.
She is a member of Australian-based Art Beyond Borders and served on the Board of Directors of the Florida Artist Group as Vice President and Area Chair.
As Chair of the Administrative Committee and member of the Steering Committee of the Pinellas Chapter of the State of Florida Arts for a Complete Education (ACE), she is a diligent advocate for arts in the public school system.
Cassandra also works with the Pinellas County Cultural Affairs Department (Formerly the Arts Council) bringing special art programs to Pinellas County Public Schools as Artist in Residence.
In 2007, Cassandra returned to New Mexico establishing Rincón Studios in Edgewood.
Here she has her permanent-working studio and will work and offer classes for adults and children.
In 2009, Cassandra published her first illustrated children’s book “Avatars of Avilon”.
In fall of 2009 the pre-quell “Genesis-Birth of the Avatars” will be available.
Cassandra is a member of the National Association of Women Artist (NAWA) and is listed in “Who’s Who of American Women” since 2001. | |
Artist Statement
My work is a personal exploration of human emotions.
Using the female figure as a vehicle, I attempt to capture a moment in time.
I feel that women are the architects of our civilization and are more aware of deep-seated feelings and strengths of the inner self.
Abstracts are another vehicle…giving emotion to an inanimate object is most rewarding when it arouses curiosity or questioning.
One thing I always try to convey in my work, no matter if the feeling of the painting is light or dark, is a sense of hope.
An innate strength of character to overcome and go forward with life.
