Harris Barron

Harris Barron is an artist, educator, writer, pilot, and adventurer who founded both the ZONE visual theatre group and the Studio for Interrelated Media (SIM) at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design in 1970. SIM is one of the few programs of its kind that fosters a unique blend of interdisciplinary study, collaboration, and civic engagement within a Fine Arts context. Since its inception this program has grown - spawning computer arts, animation, and video programs - and is still one of the most innovative areas at the College.

Early life and education

Harris Barron was born in 1926 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Barron enlisted in the US Navy in 1944 as a flyer, based at the Pearl Harbor Naval Air Station. After being discharged in 1947, he entered Vesper George Art School in Boston's South End. In 1949, he was exposed to many artists from New York City at a summer painting program on Nantucket Island. Barron moved to New York City and worked as a graphic artist. He met his wife, Ros at Massachusetts College of Art, in 1951, married in 1953. Both graduated with BFA's in 1954 as two of Professor Charles Abbott's six initial majors in his new Ceramic Art program. Barron also completed academic course requirements in Harvard's University Extension program.