Sue Hand

Sue Hand is on the shortlist of artists who have done the most to bring the images and stories of Luzerne County to a wide audience. Though her work is displayed nationally and internationally, Sue’s ability to connect with the young and old members of the community through art is unmatched. From her studio in the Back Mountain, Sue Hand has welcomed the local crowd into the vibrant world of creativity and collaboration.

Wasting no time to dive into her creative journey, Sue Hand declared herself an artist when she was just five years old. By the time she was a teenager, she was already sharing her knowledge and experiences with others. This early theme of sharing information to enhance the work of others has gone on to be at the heart of Sue Hand’s life and career. This was cemented after she earned a degree in Art Education from Kutztown University, which allowed her to teach in a professional capacity.

Sue has taught art in a variety of formats and education levels, including college courses. Over the years, Sue has served as an inspiration to her pupils, who have, in turn, gone on to achieve wonderful things in the local art scene. Even outside of formal classroom settings, Sue has taught and mentored budding artists through her own workshops and classes. In doing so, she has created an expansive creative network that stretches far beyond Luzerne County.

Though her teaching career is well-known, Sue is an incredibly accomplished artist in her own right. Her deep respect for local history and the beauty of nature have produced works such as those found in the Millennium Collection. This series depicts some of Sue’s personal favorite locales that sit within 30 miles of her studio.

Sue’s Light & The Land series depicts each of the eleven counties, including Luzerne, that make up the Northeast Pennsylvania region. As the collection was being created, Sue used a number of different techniques to achieve the desired aesthetic. Light & The Land uses watercolor, oil, acrylic, and pastel, showcasing Sue’s versatility.

Her finest work may be The Anthracite Miners and Their Hallowed Ground, a project which is tied closely to Sue’s interest in Luzerne County’s history and people. It's a 300-piece expressionist masterclass that pays tribute to the coal miners that fueled the region’s industrial and economic boom.

Sue’s accomplishments as an organizer are on par with her successful teaching and personal artistic ventures. She founded the Cider Painters of America organization, which brings artists from across the globe together to create and celebrate miniature paintings. Initiatives such as this have brought greater awareness and excitement to entire genres of art that might otherwise go unrecognized.

Another of Sue’s greatest accomplishments is establishing the studio that bears her name: Sue Hand’s Imagery. It is this hub of creativity, which Sue has owned and operated for over 40 years, that has made her a household name in Luzerne County. Besides serving as a showcase for Sue and her students’ artwork, the studio is the current home of her classes. From Sue Hand’s Imagery, Sue is able to fulfill her role as an ambassador for her fellow creatives.

Because Sue has worked efficiently and with so many different students over the years, the messages of Luzerne County’s history and art have seen greater prominence. It takes a special kind of artist to capture an area so completely, but Sue Hand has answered the call through her enduring love for regionally-inspired work and Luzerne County’s rich culture.