Biography:
Born in San Antonio, Marshall K. Harris spent his childhood growing up in various cities and states across the United States while his father was in the armed forces. Harris received his BFA in Graphic Design from Texas Christian University in 1979, when he was drafted by the NFL (1979) by the New York Jets. He was traded to the Cleveland Browns in 1980 and played professionally for 6 years (Cleveland Browns 80-83, New England Patriots 83, and New Jersey Generals USFL 84-85). Upon retiring from professional athletics Harris followed his BFA degree as an Advertising Art Director, Marketing Manager, Museum Curator, Graphics Developer, and Exhibit Designer for nationally recognized corporations, science museums, zoos, and aquaria. Some of Harris’s design work includes exhibitions at the National Zoo in Antwerp Belgium and the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium in Taiwan. He also created educational interactive displays for several US aquaria and science museums.
After experiencing the World Trade Tower attacks on 9.11.01 firsthand in New York City, Harris decided to change directions. He enrolled in the University of the Arts in Philadelphia PA MFA program in 2007 and received his MFA in sculpture in 2010. Moving back to his Texas hometown of Fort Worth in 2010, Harris began his full-time studio practice.
Since then he has developed a unique photorealistic drawing style and an active professional practice. He exhibits his work nationally and his works are held in numerous corporate and private collections. Marshall Harris lives in Fort Worth with his wife, journalist/author June Naylor Harris. Along with his studio practice, Marshall teaches Foundational Drawing classes at his alma mater, Texas Christian University.
Awards:
Marshall Harris received the 2013 Hunting Art Prize for his graphite on Mylar portrait of a classic western parade show saddle titled “Round-Up”. The Hunting Art Prize was the largest artist award given for 2-dimensional art in North America.
Residencies:
Fort Works Art Gallery Of Dreams Residency: Sept 2018—Sept 2019, Studio space and promotional events and activities.
Jon St.Clair Rising Star Residency: Oct 2019—Dec 2022, Studio space for 3 years;1-year renewables.
FACE/FR Resilience Residency and Mentorship Project: Sept 2021— Dec 2021. Artist residency and teaching position for three months in Saint-Denis, a community immediately adjacent to Paris, France. A studio, apartment, and a stipend were provided while teaching two college classes and maintaining a studio practice. In addition, the social engagement project involved local teens and an American-rules football organization called “The Flash,” in La Courneuve, FR. The project explored resiliency practices required by the school children, their families, teachers, and coaches and explored how different cultures evolved during pandemic experiences.