6.27.09

As an Architect, I am concerned with the built environment and its impact on our natural world and resources. My architectural designs manifest themselves into exhibitions for public education and architectural spaces in which people live and work. Of great importance is to integrate nature into any interior environment. Since we spend more than 90% of our time in buildings, for good health it is essential that we maintain connections to natural light, views of nature and fresh air.

As an Artist, I am captivated by the beauty of the forces of nature. The changing qualities of light on the myriad of materials and colors and the dynamic aspects of daylighting on the landscape affect my paintings. I prefer to paint landscapes with architectural elements as a focus.

As a Teacher, I share my life experiences in art, design and professional practice with my students. I feel the art and applied design instructor ideally should be a practicing artist/ designer in order to relate current events in the classroom. It is my desire to help my students see the links between all of the arts and the various disciplines in design.

As an avid Motorcyclist, I challenge myself physically and intellectually to push the limits of my skills. Riding a high performance two-wheeled machine on a race track is physically and mentally demanding. This extreme sport of mine helped me with my phisical therapy to recover movement and strength in my leg after surgery for cancer.

As a Cancer Survivor, Diagnosed with a high grade Lipo-Sarcoma in my left thigh in 2004. Full hospitalized chemo and radiation therapy for 6 months and surgery to remove the tumor and most of the muscle in my left quad. I am acutely aware of how life works and how things can change your view of the future instantly. I know I am mortal and with the time I have left to be as pleasant as I can be and never take anything for granted. A positive mind will do wonders in the most difficult situations. Thank God I am still here to continue to do the things that need doing. Click here for news movie clip, spring 2008 on Milwaukee TV Channel 58..

Harry J. Wirth

Tenured Full Professor NIU 1993

Registered Wisconsin Architect 1980

Certified Interior Designer NCIDQ 1986

Certified Motorcycle Coach 2000

Publications
ID Magazine
Progressive Architecture
Interior Design
Axis: Japanese publication
CA: Communication Arts
Taunton Books
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
AD Architectural Design, UK
Wisconsin Architect
Chicago Tribune
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
Kenosha News
PBS TV Wisconsin
AIGA and ACD publications
Bauhaus Universität Book 99
Boje German Publication
Weimar Germany TV

Awards
The Annual Design Review, ID Magazine
AIA Service Award
NEA Design-Arts Grant for Design Exhibition
AIA Design Award
Digital Photography Award
One year sabbatical leave, NIU, 1997
One year sabbatical leave, NIU, 2004
Cash Award Anderson Arts Center 2006

Recent Presented Papers
SciArc
Southern California Institute of Architecture
British Columbia Art Association, Kelowna, B.C.
Art Akademie Katowice and Krakow, Poland
Bauhaus Universität, Weimar, Germany
University of British Columbia, Vancouver B.C.

Exhibition Juror
Northern Illinois University
Lemon Street Gallery, Kenosha, Wisconsin
Anderson Arts Center, Kenosha, Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Art Center, Katowice, Poland
Bauhaus University, Weimar, Germany

Professional Practice
Owns Design by Wirth, Architectural, art and design firm in Brighton, Wisconsin. Previously principal designer and architect with various architectural firms in Phoenix and Milwaukee.

Education: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; Arizona State University.
Registrations: Wisconsin Registered Architect 1980.
NCIDQ: Registered Interior Designer, 1986.

Full Professor: Currently teaching in the Design Program in the School of Art at Northern Illinois University.
Previous Teaching: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; Mount Mary College, Milwaukee
and Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design.