Suzie Hallier
Having grown up in Boone, Artist Suzie Hallier is truly at home in the High Country alongside “the long traditions of master artisans and craftspeople, the inspiration that the beauty of these mountains bring is something I couldn’t recreate somewhere else.”
For Suzie, “making art is a way of living. Throughout most of my adult years, I have worked primarily in oil on canvas, but sculpture keeps coming back to me. The more I work in sculpture, the more I realize it is what comes most naturally to me.” To find a Hallier work, you don’t have to look too far! Richard Hallier, Suzie’s father, was also a sculptor, having crafted familiar faces like Yosef on Rivers Street and Moondance at the Belk Library. Suzie’s works can be found close by as the Watauga County Veterans Memorial is on King Street and the Lillie Shull Dougherty memorial by the App State stone sign.
When sculpting, Suzie “really tries to capture the essence of the subject’s character. I want to convey the most true aspects of a person’s character and life. My favorite part is meeting people and getting to know why they are interested in seeing a lifesize sculpture come to a particular place. That’s really the best part.”
Her most recent project felt the sting of Covid-19 as the pandemic postponed the unveiling of a life size bronze of Coach Jerry Moore for the Jerry Moore Plaza at the new section of the athletic facility at Appalachian State.
Although the pandemic may have delayed Suzie in some areas, it sprung her into action in others. As a former medical assistant, Suzie says she, “felt pulled to use my medical skills” and began working with the local health department “first as part of the covid case investigation program and now in the vaccination effort. The structure (and stress) of that work motivated me to make creating art a priority as I process the day to day and dream about what makes me smile.”
Despite these changes, Suzie feels “what hasn’t changed is the attitude of the people” who live here. Boonies, just like Suzie, are “independent, creative and making the world a better place.” Be sure to follow Suzie for updates regarding her incredible work!