SUSAN BALAS-WHITFIELD

Susan Balas-Whitfield was admitted to the Salmagundi Club in the 70's as a scholarship member for four years. At that time she was using her current married name 'Jelm.' Now all her artwork is signed 'Balas.' Having been a teacher in the 80's, she now is dedicated to her art and continues to paint en plein aire landscapes of the Southwest near Durango, Colorado her home. She is fascinated by the indigenous peoples, the ancient ones and their spiritual connection to the universe. Her art portfolios include the Mayans, Hopis, Native Americans, and her most recent exploration, the Tarahumara of Copper Canyon, Mexico. Balas speaks three languages and enjoys meeting the people of the cultures in the lands she paints. Susan Balas-Whitfield has been a nonresident artist member of Salmagundi for several years.

---

EDUCATION
Douglass College, 1960-1961
New York University, Wash. Sq. College of Arts & Science 1961-1964
Rutgers University 1961-1964 Bachelor of Arts Degree
Mead Institute, N.Y. Studied the Triune Brain 1988

ART COMMISSIONS AND AWARDS
August 2001 One woman show at Durango Arts Center
July 2001 One woman show at Termar Gallery, Durango (reception July 6)
February 2001 Merit Award at Durango Arts Center
January 2001 Best of Show award by Toh-atin Gallery at Durango Arts Center
Summer 2000 Featured artist in Western Style magazine.
May 2000 Three artist show at the Abiquiu Inn Gallery, New Mexico
January 2000 Salmagundi Club, Members Show, pastel award
August1997 One woman show at Durango Arts Center on ³The Anasazi Oracle²
1997 Presented oil painting of Eagle earth mounds to HoChunk Indians
May1988 One woman show on ³The Native American Spirit²
September 1987- Awarded sabbatical leave of absence to study American Indian.
June1988 Research at Smithsonian and on location in Four Corners area.
1976-1981 Awarded Hon. Mention at Salmagundi Oil Show. Scholarship exhibitor at Salmagundi, N.Y., National Arts Club, N.Y., N.J. Trenton State Museum, and N. J. State Watercolor Soc. shows.
1976 Commissioned to paint Herve Fillion (Standardbred Horse Racing) and Tony Abatiello driving his horse Taurus Romeo (oil painting appeared on the cover of Trotters and Pacers magazine.
1976 Commissioned to paint 150 ft. mural by Palace Amusements, N.J.

 

PUBLICATIONS
Author of INTO THE TRIANGLE, A TEACHER¹S TROT, Vantage Press, N.Y. 1989

MEMBERSHIPS
Pastel Society of America, N. Y. N. Y.
Salmagundi Club NR Artist Member
American Academy of Women Artists Associate
Colorado Pastel Society and New Mexico Pastel Society
Durango Arts Center
San Juan Basin Archaeological Society
Institute of Noetic Sciences

EXPERIENCE
Freehold, N. J. Art Society (President1973-75)
Teacher (English, Spanish, Russian, Humanities, Creative Arts), Holmdel, N.J. 1976-89
Teacher, Parsippany, N.J. High School 1964-65
Lectured at American University on Triune Brain - July, 1988
Lecture for l00 Monmouth County, N.J. High Schools¹ Gifted and Talented Students on the Triune Brain, October, 1989

NOW SHOWING IN
Durango, Colorado at Termar Gallery, Abiquiu, N. M. at the Abiquiu Inn
Fort Meyers Beach, Florida at Summerlin Square
New York, New York at the Salmagundi Club
Durango Arts Center, Durango, Colorado