In Episode 32 of Inside the Frame Podcast, host Dave Petty welcomes South Shore collage artist Sue Casey for a rich and personal conversation about art, education, and the transformative power of community. Known for her layered mixed media pieces and expressive architectural collages, Sue brings a vibrant perspective shaped by decades of teaching, a deep love for experimentation, and a newfound sense of belonging in the South Shore art scene.
From the Classroom to the Canvas
Sue’s journey began in Attleboro, where she taught middle school art for 30 years, including 24 in the classroom and time as a district art supervisor. Her early creative expression emerged during college at RISD, where she studied pottery but found her voice through unconventional approaches—mixing materials like Cheerios, sand, and pebbles into her clay. This early experimentation laid the groundwork for her eventual evolution into collage.
As she told Dave, “I used to say to my students, ‘I don’t want 28 things that are all the same. I want your unique whatever to come through.” That same philosophy informs her work today, whether she’s tearing painted paper or creating collages with textures inspired by nature.
A New Chapter on the South Shore
Sue relocated to the South Shore five years ago, seeking a fresh environment after her children had grown. What began as an eight-month winter rental in Humarock turned into a permanent move to Scituate, where Sue discovered not just a new home, but an inspiring and welcoming creative community.
She found herself embraced by groups like the North River Arts Society and South Shore Art Center and quickly integrated into local arts events, gallery shows, and teaching opportunities. “I’ve just met all these people… I feel like this is a great community,” Sue shared. “They remind each other of openings, upcoming shows—it’s just inspiring.”
Collage as Expression
For Sue, collage isn’t just an art form—it’s a reflection of freedom, emotion, and place. Her process includes creating hand-painted papers infused with texture, sometimes incorporating sand or ink, then tearing and layering them into compositions that balance structure and spontaneity. During the episode, she and Dave discuss three of her pieces—two of which now hang in Dave’s collection—featuring architectural elements and a signature palette of navy blues, silvers, and warm creams.
From her cyanotype experiment on watercolor paper to her award-winning architectural pieces in Plymouth, Sue’s work demonstrates her curiosity and adaptability. Her pieces often draw from local landscapes like beaches and marshes, which she’s found especially inspiring since moving to the coast.
Teaching Adults, Encouraging Exploration
Though retired from public school, Sue continues to teach, now guiding adults through collage workshops. At North River Arts, she recently filled in for fellow artist Marsha Blue with a spontaneous demo and leads a full-day mixed media workshop where she shares her creative “secrets,” from underpainting to building layers.
Her transition from youth to adult education has been refreshing. “I think I’ve put my time in with kids,” she joked. “Now I want to hang out with adults a little more.” Regardless of the audience, her teaching encourages fearless experimentation and artistic freedom—values that have long defined her style.
Building a Life Through Art
Sue’s creative energy extends beyond the studio. She’s part of the Scituate Beautification Commission, and her artwork is on display at several local businesses, including Joye in Scituate, the Greenbush General Store, and CP Pizza. With a new website (sbkcart.com) soon to launch, she’s excited to continue sharing her work with a growing audience, without turning art into a business. “I’m enjoying the small places that I sell and exhibit. It’s been a good journey.”
Sue’s story is a reminder that creativity can evolve over a lifetime and that the right community can reignite it. Her work is both deeply personal and widely relatable, capturing the colors, textures, and spirit of the place she now calls home.
Frame Center is proud to be a creative hub for the South Shore art community, offering custom framing, fine art printing, gallery exhibitions, and artist support through events. With a deep commitment to helping artists present and preserve their work, Frame Center serves as a place where creativity is celebrated, connections are made, and stories like Sue Casey’s are brought to life.
