Sudhoff: ‘Do something scary every day.’
TOM PINNEY/DAILY FORUM
Posing with the art Diane Sudhoff poses among the Cultured Pedestrians, one of the public art sculptures she helped bring to Maryville. As part of the GOArt program, downtown Maryville gets three to four new sculptures each year, which are displayed prominently in and around the Square.
Diane Sudhoff has a passion for art, but that’s no secret.
From her days designing products for catalogs to her current work selling products through local boutiques and her online presence, Sudhoff’s passion shows through her work.
Her flair for design is only part of the story.
In 2012, one of Sudhoff’s dreams came to life when the Maryville Public Art Committee successfully convinced the city to display sculptures as part of the Gallery of Outdoor Art (GOArt). Started in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, GOArt creates a more public space to view art by placing sculptures outside.
Maryville currently has three sculptures on the Square and one near the corner of West Fourth and North Buchanan Streets. The program founder, Jim Clark, serves as a consultant to the Maryville installments.
Sudhoff said she helped to bring GOArt to Maryville because of the effect it had on Sioux Falls.
“It instills a sense of loyalty in people,” Sudhoff said. “In Sioux Falls, people took pride in the sculptures.
“They have around 13-14 sculptures installed each year, and since they started it, people who went to the college were more likely to stick around and live in Sioux Falls. It brought a sense of culture and pride to residents of Sioux Falls, and I wanted to bring some of that here to Maryville.”
Sudhoff made her first design after spending several years of her career working for Macy’s and, subsequently, Unisys. Sudhoff left the rat race, however, because she wanted to be a mom for her growing family.
But before too long, she was itching to do something and wanted to supplement her husband Doug’s income. That’s when she got a call.
“Mary Carol challenged me to make some picture bows that hang above works of art for her stores in Kansas City and Briarcliff,” Sudhoff said. “After that, I was making stockings.”
Sudhoff has numerous magazine credits to her name, including most recently designing the cover stocking for Better Homes and Gardens in 2014.
Aside from the Public Art Committee, Sudhoff has been heavily involved in the community of Maryville.
Sudhoff and her husband are members of St. Gregory Catholic Church and the First United Methodist Church, and she served on the build committees for each church’s planned expansions. Sudhoff was also heavily involved with the downtown renewal effort.
In her spare time, Sudhoff enjoys several hobbies.
“I love riding bikes, traveling, and nerdy game nights with friends,” Sudhoff said. “We especially love playing board games.
“I also enjoy going to see plays and musicals in the theater and going to sporting events.”
Sudhoff’s three children are now adults. Her daughter is with the United States Marine Corps assigned to Capitol Hill, assisting independent Maine senator Angus King with his assignment to the Committee on Armed Services.
Her oldest son is an architect in Dallas, Texas. Her youngest son, an accomplished actor at Maryville High School, now studies the craft in Wisconsin.
Sudhoff said the best piece of advice she could give was a bit cheesy, but always rang true:
“Be true to yourself and follow your heart,” Sudhoff said. “You can’t be something you aren’t.
“You should also do something scary every day, because what’s the worst that can happen? Try things and see what sticks.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story is part of a weekly series highlighting “Everyday Heroes.” In this weekly segment, the Daily Forum takes a look at people who work tirelessly to make Maryville a great place to live. If you have a suggestion for someone who you feel should be featured, please contact us via email at [email protected] or call the Forum at 660-562- 2424.