Sara Hilda Richman Harris (1921-2016) was a talented, largely hidden mid-century woman artist who lived and worked in Albany, NY, for nearly 70 years.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, she graduated from the Girls Latin School in Boston in 1938 and from the University of Chicago in 1941. As a high school student, she took art classes at what is now the Massachusetts College of Art; after college, she studied at the Art Students League in New York; and, in the 1960s, took classes at the State University of New York at Albany.
In the 1950s, at a time when most women were expected to remain at home, Sara taught art at, ran her husband’s medical office, became active in community affairs, and raised four children. She also continued her artistic work—retiring to her basement studio late at night to draw and paint after the rest of the family went to bed.
Over some 60 years, Sara co-founded and directed the national Center for the Study of Aging; served on the boards of the Albany Interracial Council and Bleeker Library, raising funds to build a library in an underserved area of Albany. She also founded the Red Cross Friendly Visitors Service and the New York State Health Education and Welfare Club, and, for ten years, hosted a weekly radio program called “Sunday for Seniors.”
Throughout, Sara remained an active member of the Albany Artists Group, where she held leadership positions. She taught painting at the Albany Jewish Community Center, the Albany Senior Citizens Center, the Watervliet Art Guild, and privately. Her work was exhibited in group shows at the Berkshire Museum, the Albany Institute of History and Art, the Schenectady Museum, Saratoga Art Fair and branches of the Albany Public Library. It was featured in solo shows at the Tom Sawyer Motel and Mechanics Exchange Savings Bank, and, in 1974, by the Schenectady Art Society. She last showed her art in 2008, at the age of 87.
Link to exhibit brochures.
Sara’s paintings are included in several private collections. Recently, the Albany Institute of History and Art, the New Hampshire Historical Society and the Art Students League each expressed interest in acquisition.