HARRIS WILTSHER
Born in New York, New York
Raised in The Bronx
“To address specific elements of black history or its community certainly is attainable but the position of my work is to provide a cultural and / or educational meaning to dialogue with my audience and document my personal experiences within the framework of African Diaspora.”
Wiltsher’s artistic endeavors span from being a Bronx Recognizes Its Own (BRIO) recipient, visiting artist, lecturer, independent curator, program administrator for the Florida Art in State Buildings Program, professor and Gallery Director at Florida A & M University.
In addition, his work is included in collections by the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Cranbrook Academy of Art Museum, Sande Webster Gallery Collection, Carver Federal Bank, Art Academy of Honolulu and The Black Archives Research Center & Collection Reserve.
SELECTED AWARDS
2021 -- Sabbatical, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL
2019 -- Emerging Artist Residency Award, Atlanta Printmakers Studio, Atlanta, GA
2016 -- Faculty Travel Grant to China, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
1995 - 1996 -- Bronx Recognizes Its Own (BRIO) Fellowship Award, Bronx Council of the Arts, Bronx, NY
1993 - 1994 -- J. William Fulbright Scholarship Award, South Africa
1991 - 1993 -- Philip Morris Fellowship Award, Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
CURATED EXHIBITIONS
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"Sicula Sixhentsa Xa Sisonke: The South African Aesthetic", (artists: Bongekile Bengu, Hamilton Budaza, Ricky Dyaloyi, Thembinkosi Goniwe, Sipho Hlati, Billy Mandindi, Vuyasani Mgijima, Sophie Peters), traveled to New York, Michigan, Florida and Mississippi, 1996
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"The Art of Resonating Fiber", (artists: Faith Ringgold, Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson & Valerie Goodwin), Foster-Tanner Fine Arts Gallery, Tallahassee, FL, October 26 - December 5, 2008
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"Voices of FAMU Art Program: A Collection of SIX Decades of Art", Foster-Tanner Fine Arts Gallery, Tallahassee, FL, February 24 - April 5, 2020 (Featured 38 alumni)
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"IN WHAT WE SEE: A Printmaker's Response", traveling exhibition featuring 12 printmakers from the African Diaspora. Currently at Spokane Falls Community College, Spokane, WA
RECENT EXHIBITIONS
2023
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Passionate Journey, LeMoyne Arts, Tallahassee, FL
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IN WHAT WE SEE: A Printmaker’s Response, Spokane Falls Community College, Spokane, WA
2022
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Pressing Matters 2022, LRC Gallery, Georgia State University - Clarkston Perimeter College, Clarkston, GA (Best in Show)
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IN WHAT WE SEE: A Printmaker’s Response, James Wise Gallery, Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA; Ellington-White Contemporary Gallery, Fayetteville, NC; Foster-Tanner Fine Arts Gallery, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL; Akwaaba Gallery, Newark, NJ
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2022 Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition, Museum of Science & Industry, Chicago, IL
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First Impressions: Screenprints from Atlanta Printmakers Studio, Hapeville Maker Space Art Gallery, Hapeville, GA
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Golden – 50 and Older Exhibition, Las Laguna Art Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA
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34th Annual Art in Gadsden, Gadsden Arts Center & Museum, Quincy, FL
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Southern Printmaking Biennale X International, University of North Georgia, Dahlonega, GA
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Crowns, Concerns & Eyes Wide Open, Tallahassee International Airport Gallery, Tallahassee, FL (solo exhibition)
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Crowns, Concerns & Eyes Wide Open – A Harris Wiltsher Extension Exhibition, Council on Culture & Arts Gallery, Tallahassee, FL (solo exhibition)
FORMAL EDUCATION
Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, MI
MFA - Printmaking, 1993
Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL
BS - Fine Arts, 1990
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL
Facilitator & Professor
University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS
Visiting Assistant Professor
SPECIAL LINKS