Like Father, Like Daughter

For Linville artist Suzie Hallier Huskins, an Oct. 13 statue dedication at Lenoir-Ryhne University represented the continuation of a family legacy.

Huskins began studying art by working alongside her father, world-renowned sculptor Richard Hallier, and continued to pursue art throughout her life in her studies and as a vocation. Huskins holds a BFA from UNC Asheville.

Dr. Irwin Belk, of Charlotte, had commissioned several works from Richard Hallier over the years, including six existing athletic sculptures at Lenoir-Rhyne. Following Hallier’s death in 2010, Belk turned to Huskins to carry on the family legacy with an additional athletic sculpture to be donated to the Hickory campus.

Huskins’ first athlete to be installed on the campus of Lenoir-Rhyne is a swimmer entering the water. She addressed the Lenoir-Rhyne swim team as they flanked the sculpture during the dedication ceremony. She explained to the team that she, too, was a swimmer and understood the dedication and resilience the sport requires.

Huskins likened the goal in swimming of doing your best and racing against their best times to the team’s every day goals of achieving success in their life pursuits.

“You may not make your best time every time you get in the water, but that shouldn’t stop you from getting back up on the block and diving in again,” Huskins said. “And in life, you may not live up to your own expectations at every turn – but that doesn’t mean that you should give up. Get back up, jump in, and give it your best one more time.”

Throughout her artistic career, Huskins has enjoyed success in a variety of mediums. She began as a printmaker and has worked extensively with mixed media and collage. She has written and illustrated several children’s books and illustrated books for other authors, as well. Over the past several years, Huskins has focused her artistic expression on primarily utilizing the medium of oil on canvas.

Several of her oil paintings can be seen at The Art Cellar at 920 Shawneehaw Ave. in Banner Elk.

Huskins’ father, Hallier, was well known for his sculptures of athletes and dancers. His sculpture of the giant mountain man and Appalachian State University mascot, Yosef, is one of the most-often photographed pieces of art in North Carolina.

For more information on the work of Suzie Hallier Huskins, email (suziehuskins@gmail.com)