Susanna Baker always intended to be an artist. It just took her 30 years to get there.
Baker grew up in Verona and, after graduating from Verona High School with the class of 1977, studied painting at the Rhode Island School of Design. But she fell into computer work after graduating from RISD, which turned into a long career with the financial services industry–until motherhood and divorce caused her to reflect on the path her life had taken. Soon thereafter, her mother died and, rather than sell the family home, her father invited her to move back. Baker created a studio space in her childhood home and turned her attention to mixed media works. “The minute the kids go to school, I run down to my studio,” she says.
Since 2003, Baker has participated in a growing list of exhibitions, all of which have led to a new solo show at JCC Metrowest in West Orange, that opens tomorrow. The show features more than 20 of her works. “I’m now doing the thing that I always wanted to do,” says Baker, who is also among the members of Studio Montclair, a non-profit that supports the arts community in several towns in our area.
Susanna Baker’s show runs from March 13 to April 25. There is an opening reception on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. JCC Metrowest’s Gaelen Center for the Arts is located at 760 Northfield Avenue, close to Livingston. Gallery hours are Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The gallery is closed on Saturday.
You can see more of Baker’s pieces on her Web site.
