Michi Susan celebrated by her Paseo community

First Fridays in the Paseo are always something special, but Friday, June 3 the Paseo Arts Association (PAA) celebrates the life and legacy of one of its greatest champions, Michi Susan. From 6 to 9 p.m. will hold an opening reception for the Michi Susan Art Exhibition and Sale. Cocktails and a sneak peak to the exhibition will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. RSVP with the PAA office for the cocktail hour.

Michi Susan was an artist with her entire being. Her life was one of constant exploration and cultivation of the arts. At the age of five while living in Tokyo, Japan, Susan said she made the decision to follow her calling to become an artist. From that point on she pursued this singular dream. Eventually, her marriage to Charles, an American in civil service in Japan, brought her to the United States. After short stints in Louisiana and Arizona, Susan landed in Oklahoma City in 1978. It was here that her work rose to prominence locally and internationally. 

She poured herself into creating her mixed-media art and growing other artists in the Paseo art community and beyond. Her tireless efforts were recognized by the Paseo community in 2007 at the Paseo Arts Awards with the first-ever Oklahoma Artist of the Year award. In her honor, the PAA also created the Michi Susan Award for those artists “who help other artists.” Her help manifested itself in many ways, from encouraging young artists, to regularly purchasing art from her peers, to investing in programs and organizations that elevated artist and the local creative communities. In 2010 Susan was honored with The Governor’s Award at the Oklahoma Governor’s Art Awards.

In 2020 Michi Susan passed away at the age of 95, leaving a discernible mark on the Paseo community as well as the state of Oklahoma. “She set the bar high as a supporter of the arts," said Amanda Bleakley, executive director of the Paseo Arts Association. “A truly cherished artist, friend, educator and mentor, Michi Susan will forever leave a lasting imprint on our hearts and her legacy will carry on in Paseo and throughout Oklahoma.”

The PAA would like to extend an invitation to everyone to come and celebrate the life of Michi Susan. In her passing she gifted a large body of work to the PAA. This work will be on exhibition from June 3 to June 27. All works will be for sale and benefit the PAA, enabling the organization to continue to carry out the legacy of service that Michi Susan left behind.

Oklahoma City’s Unique Arts Destination, the Paseo Arts District is located between NW 27th & 30th Streets and Walker & Hudson. A wide range of galleries, ten restaurants and an assortment of shops round out the Paseo’s distinctive atmosphere. For more information, call the Paseo Arts Association at (405) 525-2688 or email at [email protected]. Visit thepaseo.org/join for membership information.