In Memory of Myrna Harrison
Myrna Harrison was born in Hollywood, CA in 1932. Her father was an animator and director at Screen Gems, the animated division of Columbia pictures, her mother a hat designer. Myrna’s family moved to New York City in 1943, where she attended Music and Art High School. After briefly attending the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, she returned to New York City to study art, first with Morris Davidson, then Jack Tworkov, finally at the Hans Hofmann School of Fine Art, in New York, and Provincetown, Massachusetts.
She showed in numerous shows in the 1950s, and supported herself with a variety of jobs. She married Earl Pierce, a painter in 1954. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a Master’s Degree in English from New York University. In 1960, Myrna and Earl moved to California, where she was a teaching assistant at UC, Berkeley. She remained in California for the next fifteen years, teaching in North Richmond and at Laney College in Oakland. She served as Assistant Dean of Instruction at Contra Costa College and Dean of Instruction at San Jose City College. While in California she showed at various private and public galleries.
In 1980, Myrna moved to Phoenix, Arizona to become President of Rio Salado College (1980-1985). She then served as President of Gateway Community College (1985-1988), and then as President of Phoenix College (1988-1993).
She retired in 1993 and moved to Wickenburg, Arizona to a studio overlooking a saguaro-filled canyon. Her expressionist, color-saturated paintings of the Sonoran Desert, canyons and mountains surrounding her studio and home evoke the vibrant, fierce landscape of the southwest. An active member of her community, she served on the Board and as Acting Director of the Desert Caballeros Western Museum in Wickenburg as well as a Board Member and President of the Phoenix Art Museum’s Asian Art Council.
Myrna passed away on January 6, 2025 at the age of 93. An endowment in her name has been established at the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation, supporting students across the Maricopa Community College District.
To make a gift supporting the Myrna Harrison Endowed Scholarship, make checks payable to the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation (or MCCF), and mail to 2419 W. 14th Street, Tempe, AZ 85281. Please add Myrna Harrison Endowed Scholarship Fund 5759 in the notes. Or you may make a secure gift below.
The Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation (MCCF) is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization and contributions are tax deductible as allowed by law. Please consult with your financial advisor to determine the tax treatment of your contribution.