Motivated since childhood to explore outside the boundaries of cultures, Sue Dean began solo backpacking after a career teaching. She traveled for weeks at a time in Turkey, India, Bosnia, Greece, Scotland, Peru and other countries. She lived in Japan four years, immersed in culture and design, visiting living legends of traditional arts as well as villagers in remote locations. Sue has enduring Aboriginal friendships.

Dean has participated in juried group exhibitions, a Creative Capital Summer Intensive Program, and poetry slams in New York. In a juried competition in 2017, her work, Neighbors, was selected by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and Artists Unite as a poster contest winner for the NYC subway system. She has shown at the Carter Burden Gallery, the Maggie Peyton Gallery, and the Women’s Caucus for Art and A.I.R.’s juried competition. Her Totem Neighbors were centerpiece for two interfaith exhibits. In 2019, Dean made her first installation in New York City at the Carter Burden Gallery. Her second was in October, 2020, her third March 2021. Dean was awarded a residency at Millay Arts in 2020.