Penn State Great Valley is hosting a Chester County Art Association exhibit in the Student Lounge featuring paintings by local artist Annette Alessi. The exhibit, "Inspirations of Life," is on display through April 16 in the Student Lounge in the Main Building. The opening reception is from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 3. The reception is free and open to the public. Registration is required at http://inspirationsoflife.eventbrite.com.
"Life has many paths to its journey. Along the path, it is up to you to find and appreciate those beautiful moments in time and to hold them dear in your heart,” said Alessi. "My exhibit is just that. Places I have visited, places I have passed, people whom I love, time spent in nature, and observing the light in everything and all around me.”
Alessi has used pastels for about 20 years and has been using oils since 2006, when introduced to the medium by a former teacher, Karl Kuerner.
She studied drawing and painting the human figure, majoring in fashion illustration at the Art Institute of Philadelphia during the late '80s, graduating in 1987. Two months after graduating, she began working with Alfred Angelo Bridals as the fashion illustrator for Michelle Piccione. Throughout the '90s, she gained many skills in the fashion advertising industry involving graphic design, art direction and illustration, including portraiture. Her landscapes are self-taught only since the new millennium.
Alessi teaches art classes for adults and children at Chester County Art Association, Delaware Community College, Darlington Arts Center and privately at her studio in Garnet Valley. She is a member of the Pastel Society of America, the Portrait Society of America, DaVinci Art Alliance in Philadelphia, The Delaware Valley Art League and Chester County Art Association. She is represented by various galleries in the Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey area, including Strodes Mill Gallery in West Chester and GV Gallery One in Chadds Ford as well as Artist Haven Gallery in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Her fashion figures can be seen on display at Beau Etre in West Chester. Her works have been published in several books including “100 Artists of the Brandywine Valley,” “Best of American Artists in Pastel" and “A World of Artists." More information about the artist can be found at www.alessicreations.com.
