Nikki Harris, 95, passed away peacefully in Cleveland, OH, on April 23, 2024.
Nikki was predeceased in 2003 by her husband, Nicholas Harris.
She is survived by her children: Jim Harris (Penny), Debbie Fitzgerald (Jack); grandchildren: Dan Harris (Sylvia), Jeff Harris (Lexi), Ryan Fitzgerald (Michele), Brandon Fitzgerald, Sean Fitzgerald (Rebecca), and six precious great-grandchildren: Sophia, Henry, Niko, Stella, Hazel and Hugh. Nikki is also survived by her brother, Ted Vlamis (Betty), and three nephews and their families.
Nikki was born in Haverhill, Massachusetts. She graduated from Boston University and married Nicholas Harris in 1949. Nikki and Nick moved to Norwich, NY, in 1955, where she lived for 56 years until moving to Cleveland, OH to join her children.
Nikki’s passion has always been art. As she said: “My approach to art is to let go of what you see and paint what you feel”. Nikki participated in extensive art training in the upstate New York area. She was a founding member of the Norwich Fine Arts Guild and the Chenango County Council of the Arts. Nikki exhibited in national juried shows including Munson Proctor Institute in Utica, N.Y., and Cooperstown, N.Y. Her work was recognized and awarded numerous prizes. Nikki experimented with many art styles, techniques, and mediums, including painting with traditional acrylic and oil, plus sculpting three-dimensional figures. However, she was best known for her collages, being recognized as an important collage artist by the prestigious French magazine, La Revue Moderne. In July 2023 Nikki’s friends and family came to Cleveland from around the United States to view and celebrate her art.
The family will celebrate Nikki’s life in a private Memorial Service later in the spring.
In light of Nikki’s passion for art, and her activism in the art world in Norwich, we ask that any memorial donations be made as follows:
Chenango Arts Council
27 West Main Street
Norwich, NY 13815
607-336-ARTS
Attention: Alecia O’Neill, Executive Director
In the Name of: Nikki Harris