Arts Leadership
For more than eight decades, Suzanne Briley has embraced the arts as a source of creativity, connection, purpose, and joy. A lifelong musician, teacher, performer, businesswoman, artist, and community advocate, Suzanne has demonstrated that arts leadership can take many forms—and that its greatest impact often comes from bringing people together and creating opportunities for others to discover their own artistic gifts.
Suzanne’s journey in the arts began at the age of five, when she started studying piano. Her love of classical music grew into a lifelong commitment to music and performance. Throughout her youth and young adulthood, she faithfully served as a church pianist, using her musical talents to enrich worship and ministry. Her career continued to evolve across disciplines, including teaching, performing, business, design, writing, and visual art.
As an accomplished concert pianist, Suzanne has performed at distinguished venues, including the National Theatre in San Jose. Her professional accomplishments extend beyond music as well. She became a successful businesswoman, earning national recognition that included an appearance on Good Morning America, and was recognized in Who’s Who in Finance and Industry. She is also the author of two books, Doing Business in a Palm Beach Taxicab and The Cottage on Zeus Park.
After retirement, Suzanne discovered a new artistic passion: painting. What began as an individual creative pursuit soon became a lasting community of artists. More than 28 years ago, she helped form a local group of artists who painted together, now proudly known as The Barn Artists.
The Barn Artists represent one of the most enduring examples of Suzanne’s leadership in the arts. Through friendship, collaboration, and a shared commitment to creativity, the group has created an environment where artists can learn from one another, encourage each other, and continue to grow.
More recently, Suzanne has been involved in the formation of Hobe Sound Arts, helping bring greater recognition to artists in the Hobe Sound community and increasing their visibility not only locally, but throughout Martin County and beyond.
For Suzanne, the arts are fundamentally about connection. She believes participation in the arts teaches teamwork, collaboration, and community engagement—bringing people together around a shared creative purpose while building relationships that strengthen the community.
Her commitment to nurturing others has also been a defining part of her leadership. Through private instruction and encouragement, Suzanne has helped young people pursue their talents and develop confidence in their abilities. Her approach has always been about more than teaching a skill; it is about helping individuals discover their unique gifts and find the confidence to share them.
To Suzanne, giving back to the arts community means finding happiness in helping others grow and celebrating their successes. She believes that investing time, resources, and advocacy in the arts creates meaningful opportunities and helps ensure that appreciation and understanding of the arts continue for generations.
Suzanne has never been motivated by the idea of building a personal legacy. Instead, her focus has always been on the arts themselves and on ensuring that students and communities have the opportunity to experience the power of music, performance, and visual art.
She is a passionate advocate for recognizing the arts as essential—not optional—to the development and spirit of young people and to the vitality of communities. She believes continued funding, advocacy, and support are necessary to ensure that future generations can experience the transformative power of creativity.
At 92, Suzanne continues to remain active in the arts because, as she says, they keep her “mind engaged, spirit energized, and heart connected to the community I love.” The arts have given her purpose and fulfillment, while providing a meaningful way to remain connected and contribute to others.
When asked what the arts mean to her, Suzanne answers with a single word:
“Happiness.”
MartinArts is honored to recognize Suzanne Briley with the Arts Leadership Award in celebration of her lifelong commitment to creativity, her dedication to teaching and mentorship, and her extraordinary leadership in bringing artists and communities together.
