By Pat Lawrence
Sharon Harms backed by one of her glass works. |
Sharon Harms, lives in a world that sparkles with color. A graphic
designer and illustrator, she is also a glass artist, creator of the
dramatic entry doors to the gallery at Tamarack and the dazzling glass
vestibule in Hurricane’s Museum in the Community. After graduating
from the American Academy of Art and studying at the Chicago Art Institute,
Sharon left Chicago in 1976 to work as an illustrator in West Virginia’s
Nicholas County. In 1979, she and her husband and partner Bill Hogan
moved to Charleston and founded Image Associates, an advertising and
video production company.
She also found the YWCA. “I started going there to work out
and take aerobics classes. Just being there, I kept hearing about
all the social programs and special activities they provided. I designed
T- shirts for the aerobics classes, for fun. It seemed like I just
became part of the YWCA family. I think everyone who comes into the
building feels that way.” Soon Sharon was donating work for
auctions, donating her own art and becoming increasingly aware of
the healing, positive impact YWCA was having on the community.
When the YWCA opened their ‘gently used’ clothing store,
Past and Present, Sharon designed the logo. She’s a good customer,
too. “I take something out every time I take something in.”
When the YWCA launched their coffee shop venture, Sharon designed
the logo and gave it the name “Perkin’ Up”. Proceeds
from the sales are used to help fund transitional housing for women.
Sharon says. “I can only imagine what it would be like not to
have my home. I can only imagine what it would feel like to have no
place to live safely. The YWCA is the last available option for some
women. Without the programs and funding from the YWCA as a safety
net, they would have no place to go.”
Recently the YWCA undertook a new venture, a ‘gently used’
furniture store. Once again Sharon came through with her creative
touch. She named the store ‘Top Drawers’ and designed
a logo for their promotional activities. “They ‘re looking
for good quality furniture for the store.”
In 2002, Sharon got involved with the calendar produced each year
from artwork of children staying at the shelter. “They brought
a stack of original art this high!” she says, indicating a height
of about three feet. “The most amazing thing is that 99% of
the pictures are bright, happy, images. All the art is produced by
children who have experienced major life style changes and problems.
And yet, their art is happy. Kids are just kids, whether they live
in a shelter or a castle. In December, we had 77 children. But, it
is wonderful how, even though they are living in the shelter, their
art is filled with happiness and hope.”
Sharon selects and sorts the pieces to be included, adds the border,
designs the cover and a flyer to promote the calendar and works with
Color Craft Printing who prints them at cost. The calendars are sold
for $8 at the YWCA and retail stores like Cornucopia. They’re
half price after January.
At forty, Sharon became a mother with “the light of my life”,
her daughter Genny. Genny at play and perennials in her garden are
frequent inspirations for Sharon’s striking glasswork. At Image
Associates, Sharon’s specialty is designing delightful labels
and innovative packaging for food products, expertise she puts to
use making the annual YWCA Thanksgiving poster. Her relationship with
the YWCA has become a creative exercise where her talent shines through
for women and children living in shadows.
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