MILLER-HAVENS ART

As Degas reminds artists:

"Art is not what you can see but what you can make other people see".

Born and raised in New Jersey a bus ride away from the NYC art world, Susan Miller-Havens has been a resident of Cambridge, MA for over four decades. Miller-Havens has two 20 year careers: one in the field of mental health, the other in fine arts. Originally a reconstructive surgical nurse at the MGH, she was one of the founders of The Department of Psychiatry at The Cambridge Hospital.

While working in a clinic she pursued a degree in studio art from Wellesley College where her honors advisers were the watercolorist Richard Yarde and landscape artist, James Wilson Rayen, both practicing artists. Drawn back to psychology she completed her Doctorate in Human Development from Harvard School of Education. After working in adoption reform as an educator she realized once again that human nature was still something she longed to express using art as the vehicle.

Not primarily a portrait artist, Miller-Havens paintings focus on the subtleties within relationships and the human condition in general.

She is known as an artist who invites the viewer into the painting through unexpected use of color, absence of background, and inventive cropping of the images.

Her work is part of private collections in  San Diego, Denver, Miami, New York, and Boston. Her commissions  include the official portrait of Mayor Alice Wolf  Hall of Fame basketball coach Patrick J. Riley and Harvard Dean Jerome T. Murphy. Her life size portrait of Cooperstown Hall of Fame catcher Carlton Fisk is in the Permanent Collection of the National Portrait Gallery Washington D. C. as is her Portrait of Pedro J. Martinez.

She is a member of The Harvard Arts in Education Advisory Council,  The Art Connection Boston MA, The National Association of Women Artists, Who's Who in American Women, Who's Who In America, The Harvard Square Neighborhood Association The Somerville Concord, and Cambridge Artists Associations 

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My painting is an emotional response to color, light, and human experience.

From a very early age I found my reaction to the world around me divided between

a fascination with the inner workings of the mind and the aesthetic beauty of nature.

Pursuits of both these interests are reflected in my career

as I moved back and forth between the two over time.

My understanding of nature and human nature came together in visual expression through painting.

I set up for solution artistic problems that combine images and painting techniques from

the past with those of the present, that define space through unexpected uses of color and line,

that generate for the viewer a sense of psychological ambiguity and timelessness,

that comment on human interaction.

I represent light using both 16th century and 20th century techniques, either underpainting with glazes or applying pigment and wax directly on the canvas. For example, I attempt to combine the techniques of Durer with those of Manet and to add my own inventions. 

Cezanne said that he hoped to forge a link with the past.

I am trying to do the same by combining painting techniques and understandings

of human nature from the past with what I have come to perceive in the present. 

Like the writer, the blank canvas for the artist is a challenge

Education

    1990     Harvard University Cambridge, Massachusetts, Ed.D. Human Development

    1978     Wellesley College Wellesley, Ma. B.A. with honors Studio Art

    1965     Lasell College, Auburndale, Massachusetts A.S. Science

Awards & Honors

    2014     Artist of the Month National Art Museum of Sport Indianapolis Indiana

    2014     Solveig Stromsoe Palmer Memorial Award for Oil painting, National Association of Women Artists                                                Annual Exhibition

    2007     Historian’s Choice National Portrait Gallery Washington D.C.

    2007     Solveig Stromsoe Palmer Memorial Award for Oil painting, National Association of Women Artists                                               Annual Exhibition

    2000     Prize winner, The Adam East Museum and Art Center, Washington State

    1999     One of Ten Winners, Art Calendar Magazine National Contest

    1997-8  Featured Artist Cambridge Children & Family Services 

    1995-    Marquis Who’s Who of American Women   

    1975     Honors in Studio Art Wellesley College

Selected Public & Private Exhibitions/Collections

    2018      National Children’s Museum Indianapolis ID

    2015      Bay Cove (Safety Net Outreach) Boston, MA

    2013      The Boston Red Sox Foundation, Boston MA

    2013      Bay Cove Human Services, Boston MA

    2013      Massachusetts Department of Youth Services, Laurence MA

    2011      United Residents in Academy Homes ll (URIAH) Roxbury MA

    2010      Young Adult Recovery Destination, MA (YARD)Boston, MA

    2010      The Community Family Inc. Everett, MA

    2010      The Center For Family Connections, MA

    2009      Roxbury Youthworks Dorchester, MA

    2009      University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA

    2008      Boston Rescue Mission Boston, MA

    2001      Harvard University Cambridge, MA

    2001      The Center For The Study of Sports In Society Northeastern University, Boston, MA

   1998-     Private Collections: Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, California, London England

Commissions

    2016    Pedro J. Martinez Managuayabo, Dominican Republic

    2006     Private Collection Santa Monica, CA

    2004     Private Collection Cambridge, MA

    2003     The City of Cambridge Official Mayoral Portraits

    2001     The Harvard Graduate School of Education Cambridge,  MA

    2000     Phelps Collection Watertown, MA

    1998     Patrick J. Riley Pres. Miami HEAT Miami, FL

    1994     The Special Needs Clinic Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center New York City

Exhibitions (*solo shows ** juried shows) 

Museums

  **2013  The National Museum of Sport Indiana

    2012   The Sports Museum of New England, Boston MA 

    2010   The National Portrait Gallery, Washington, D.C. Permanent Collection

  **2007   National Association of Women Artists N.Y.C. Annual Exhibition Hoboken, NJ

     2006   The National Portrait Gallery, Washington, D.C. Permanent Collection

    2003    Florida International Museum, St. Petersburg, FL

    2000    Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center Little Falls, NJ

 **2000    Adam East Museum and Art Center Moses Lake, WA 

    1999    Grand Slam Fine Art Gallery, National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Cooperstown, NY

 **1995    Hofstra Museum Hofstra University, Long Island, NY  

 * 1993    The Somerville Museum, Somerville, MA

 * 1977    Wellesley College Museum, Wellesley, MA 

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Galleries / Online and In Situ

    2022    Mary Schein Fall Salon Cambridge Art Association Cambridge MA 

    2022    Somerville Open Studios 11 Miller Street Somerville MA

**2021    National Organization of Women Artists NYC (online exhibit)

    2018     National Association of Women Artists, New York, NY Group Show

 **2017     WorkBar Cambridge MA. & Cambridge Arts Council

 **2014     National Association of Women Artists, New York, NY

 **2010     Cambridge Arts Council City Hall Gallery Cambridge, MA

 **2009     Cambridge Art Association Cambridge, MA

 **2009     Cambridge Arts Council Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA

 **2008     George Krevsky Gallery San Francisco CA 

 **2007     Cooperstown Art Association 72nd Annual National Exhibition

   2007     La Luz de Jesus Gallery Los Angeles, CA

   2007     Varnish Fine Art San Francisco, CA

   2005     Crane Collection Wellesley, MA Spring and Summer Shows

 * 2004     Bromfield Art Gallery Boston, MA

 **2003     Ayer Lofts Gallery Lowell, MA

 **2001     Yamawaki Gallery Lasell College Newton MA

 **2001     Northwood University Art Gallery, West Palm Beach, FL    

 **2000     Mills Pond House Smithtown Township Arts Council, St.James, NY

   1999      The Art Calendar Artist’s Pavilion Artexpo New York City

 **1999     Gallery 53 Cooperstown, NY

 **1998     Gallery 53 Cooperstown, NY

 **1997     Gallery 53 Cooperstown, NY

 *1996      Charrette ProGraphics Cambridge, MA 

 **1996     Gallery 53 Cooperstown, NY 

 **1995     Gallery 53 Cooperstown, NY 

   1994     The Brenda Taylor Gallery, Newbury Street, Boston, Massachusetts

   1991     Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA Alumnae Group Show

   1976     Childs' Newbury Street Gallery, Boston, MA              

News Articles

2018    Ruehl, Isabel C. Miller-Havens Gallery Moves Into Harvard Square The Harvard Crimson Oct 23 2018

2018    Chow, Liana E.Portrait of an Artist: Susan E. Miller-Havens The Harvard Crimson Oct 23 2018

2018     Levy, Mark At least until Abbot Buildings Construction, Harvard Square is Notably Open for the Arts Oct 18 2018  

2012    Shanahan, M. “Susan Miller-Havens Joins Pedro Martinez at National Portrait Gallery” Names &                                                    Boston.com The Boston Globe – May 10, 2012.

2011    Twenty-two Articles relating to The Martinez Portrait Presentation The National Portrait Gallery                                                    Washington D.C.

2011    Garrrett, Jennifer “ Susan Miller-Havens, Davis Scholars” Wellesley Alumnae Magazine p. 39  

2008    Copenhagen, Edward Portraits of the Harvard Graduate School of Education Deans President Fellows  of  Harvard                     University Artist Susan Miller-Havens p. 17

2008    ARTS The Cambridge Chronicle "Miller-Havens Wins Palmer Award" September 27, 2007 p.18

2004    Palumbo, Mary Jo - "Painting The Corners", Cambridge portrait artist uses baseball, Red Sox players as metaphor for              life Boston Herald Newspaper, October 12, 2004  

2004    “Mr. 3000” A Disney Film, Set design, three reproductions of paintings

2004    Palumbo, Mary Jo - "Contemporary Art in Boston" - Art News Magazine -

             Plummer, D'Lynne - contributing art writer "You Don't Have to Love Dogs to Love Miller-Havens" -                    

             South End News - March 11 p. 25  

2003     Eisner, D. "Wolf Portrait Unveiled" - The Cambridge Chronicle - December 18  

2003     Tuttle, N. "Ayer Lofts Opens A Window On Women's Everyday Lives" - The Lowell Sun Newspaper                                                  February 27, 2003 

2002     ABC Television “New England Artists” Chronicle, repeated

2001     ABC Television “New England Artists” Chronicle

2000     Carlson, B. "Profile" - Wellesley Alumnae Magazine - Summer Edition 2000 

2000     Haley, A. "Latino Stars Honored in Museum Exhibit" Courier News - October 18, P 2 

2000     Lieberfarb, D. "Hall of Fame" - The Star-Ledger - September 22-28, 2000 - p.27 

2000     Tomlinson S. "Painter of The Stars" - Boston Sunday Globe City Weekly - September 24, 2000 - p.10-11 

1999     Beggy, C. & Carney, B. "Cooperstown in Red" - Names & Faces - The Boston Globe - March, 1999 

1999     Parney, L. "Capturing a Colorful Game on Canvas" - Christian Science Monitor - August 24, 1999 

1999     Smith, A. "Painter's On the Ball" - Boston Herald Sunday Home Magazine - February 21, 1999 - p.2 

1999     “Capturing a Colorful Game on Canvas” L. Parney, The Christian Science Monitor 

1998      Dezell, M. & Carney, B. "Cooperstown Currents" - Names & Faces - The Boston Globe - July 29, 1998

1998      Gallo, J. "Miller-Havens Paints the Players" - TAB Arts & More  October 6, 1998

1998      Gallo, J. "Painting the Players" - The Entertainment Line - The Cambridge Chronicle October 1, 1998 

1998      Mulford, S. "Inside, Outside" - Boston Briefs - The Carriage News - September, 1998

1997      “Somerfest” Somerville, Massachusetts   

1993       Kantrowitz, J. "A Tribute to the Boys of Summer" - City Weekly - Boston Sunday Globe - June 27, p3 

1993       Schultz, K. "Baseball Meets Art in Somerville Museum's 'Green Fields of the Mind'" - The Cambridge                                             Chronicle - June 20, 1993

Media   (Audio/Video)

2022      The Artist’s Creative Process teaching video, Pedro Martinez Portrait National Portrait Gallery

2021      Young Portrait Explorers  The Artist’s Process Pedro Martinez  The National Portrait Gallery The Smithsonian            2011      Twenty-one radio/T.V. pieces relating to The Martinez Portrait Presentation The National Portrait Gallery                                     The Smithsonian Washington D.C.

2009      “Face To Face” National Portrait Gallery Smithsonian Institution

               Interview With  NPG Curator Sidney Hart, PhD.

2002     “New England Artists” ABC Television Chronicle, repeated

2001     “New England Artists” ABC Television Chronicle

1998      WMJX Boston Life with Gay Vernon  

1998      Multi-Access Cable Stations Smoki Bacon & Dick Concannon Show  

1998      New England Cable News Cover Story     

1998      New Sports Network Front Row

Teaching & Lecturing

2022      The Artist’s Creative Process teaching video, Pedro Martinez Portrait National Portrait Gallery

2021      Young Portrait Explorers  The Artist’s Process Pedro Martinez  The National Portrait Gallery The Smithsonian   

2015      Co-Workshop Leader Materials Laboratory with Francesca Bewer, Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, MA

2012      Speaker, National Portrait Gallery Washington, D.C.

1997      Speaker, “Somerfest” Somerville, MA                            

1993      Guest Lecturer, The Somerville, Museum, Somerville, MA                

1988-89   Head Teaching Fellow, Dept. Psychology Harvard University, Cambridge, MA       

Professional Memberships

2022    South Coast Artists Westport MA

2022    Somerville Art Association Somerville MA

2021    Concord Art Association Concord MA     

2015-18

            Harvard Square Business Association

2002-2022

           Member Advisory Council for Arts in Education, Harvard University Graduate School of Education,                                               Cambridge MA

2000- National Association of Women Artists, New York City & Massachusetts