Susan Hanssen will be our 2026 Awards Judge
Fifth Avenue Art Gallery is excited to announce that Susan Hanssen will be our 2026 Awards Judge for our 20th Annual Juried Exhibition, 100% Pure Florida. We had 106 artists apply with 234 artworks to consider. This year’s show will highlight 82 artworks by 67 artists. The opening reception is on Friday, May 1, 2026, from 5:30-8:30. Awards will be announced at 7:00 pm, the public is invited to attend.
Judge Bio
Susan Hanssen has been an award-winning painter for several years and she is well known in south Florida for her unique and exciting work. As a signature member of the National Watercolor Society, the American Watercolor Society, and the Florida Watercolor Society, Susan has twice won medals at prestigious American Watercolor Exhibitions in New York.
Susan is primarily a figurative painter: using the figure as a conduit, she develops a narrative that is both a literal story and a metaphor. The resulting images are highly accomplished, haunting and full of whimsy. Most recently, Susan has transitioned from paper to large canvas, strengthening further the impact of her work. More often, she creates a series of paintings centred around a particular theme that simultaneously illustrates and examines the power and dynamic of her art, such as in her solo show at the Coral Springs Museum of Art that celebrated her Sheep series whilst endorsing her considerable achievements in Fort Lauderdale.
Susan has taught numerous, highly successful workshops across Florida and New Mexico. Following her recent move to Florida’s Palm Coast, she is now expanding the range and scope of her work. https://susanhanssen.com/gallery
