Susan Laansma Pollins

Susan Laansma Pollins, a native of Detroit, Michigan, received her Bachelor of Science in Design as a painting major from the College of Architecture & Design at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI. She taught art in Southfield, Ml public schools before moving to Pennsylvania. A frequent instructor, juror, lecturer and demonstrator, she has taught in continuing education programs at Seton Hill University, Penn State University and Westmoreland County Community College, as well as classes at Westmoreland Museum of American Art, Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art, Touchstone Center for Crafts, Alex Fletcher Memorial Art Center and art organizations throughout southwestern Pennsylvania and privately.

She is a member and past president of the Women's Committee of the Westmoreland Museum of American Art, served as their Education Coordinator and, since 1988, as a docent. She was co-owner of Greensburg Art Supply for 18 years. Now working out of Walnut Hill Studio, Susan is an elected, signature member of the Pennsylvania Water Society. She is also a signature member of the Pittsburgh Watercolor Society, past president and board member, the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, Group A and the Pittsburgh 10+. She is a past officer and board member of the Greensburg Art Club.

Susan is a rostered artist in the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts/Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art - Artists in Residence - Arts in Education program and completed more than 35 two-week residencies under that program. She has served on the faculty and on the board of directors of Touchstone Center for Crafts. Susan's work has been exhibited in over 30 exhibits as a featured artist plus innumerable regional and national juried shows including Pennsylvania Watercolor Society's Annual, Pittsburgh Watercolor Society's Aqueous Open, Three Rivers Arts Festival, Westmoreland Nationals and Southwest Pennsylvania Juried Regionals.

Her pieces are found in private and corporate collections plus the collections of Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art and the Westmoreland Museum of American Art. The Greensburg Area Cultural Council awarded her "Artist of the Year" in 1999. The Pennsylvania Federation of Museums and Historical Organizations awarded her "The Heart and Soul Award of Merit for Individual Achievement" in 2002 for her work with the Westmoreland Museum of American Art.

Susan was also honored as "Artist of the Year" by Touchstone Center for Crafts in 2009 and received a "Service to the Arts Award" in 2013 from Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art. In addition, Susan was chosen "Master Visual Artist VII Preserving the Legacy 2020" and her artwork was exhibited at the Senator John Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh.