The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Watercolors exhibit shows love of countryside
ONEIDA, N.Y. » Water-colorist Roberta Schiavi will have her work featured in the Griffing Gallery of the Kallet Civic Center, 159MainSt., Oneida, through the month of October.
“I loved drawing at an early age and have always been interested in the beauty that surrounds me,” Schiavi said. “Working with my hands and creating new things has always made me happy. My mother said I inherited my talent from my grandfather.”
Growing up in Massachusetts, Schiavi said she enjoyed looking at the colonial buildings, gardens and lakes. “I remember watching slide shows of my uncle’s trips throughout Europe and being amazed by the architecture of the museums and churches. Drawing and gardening have been my favorite pastimes throughout the years while raising my family.”
When she was 10, Schiavi’s family moved to Utica, where she began taking art courses at Munson-Williams-Proctor Art Institute. She said her greatest art influences were her high school art teacher and artists Edward Christiana and Ralph Murray, but she’s also taken several classes with numerous other artists over the years.
Schiavi studied fine arts in Boston and later received a graphic design degree from Mohawk Valley Community College. She’s also painted with local artists and the Mountain Air Painters, a plane air group in Old Forge.
“Art has always been my escape and has brought me much satisfaction,” Schiavi said. “I love the challenge of learning something new and creating beautiful art work for people to enjoy.”
Schiavi’s paintings will be on display from Oct. 2-27. The public is invited to meet the artist at an open reception on Monday, Oct. 16, from6-8 p.m.
The Griffing Gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, and by appointment. For more information, call 315-3638525.