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August 20 - September 12, 2013
Julia
Paintings by
Sonja Sweterlitsch
Painter Sonja Sweterlitsch presents, Julia,
a series of oil paintings celebrating Julia Erickson,
Principal Dancer with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and Creator and CEO of Barre, LLC.
Public Reception:
Saturday, August 24th: 5-8pm
Free and open to the public!
About the Exhibition:
"I had asked Julia to be part of my first show, Beautiful Dreamers, and getting to know her through the process of painting her portrait was truly an inspirational experience for me," says Sweterlitsch. "Not only is Julia a wonderful person, but her dedication to her art, ballet, as well as her entrepreneurial acumen in starting and growing Barre is truly impressive. Getting to know Julia inspired me to approach my painting with the same commitment and passion as she brings to dance."
As a portrait painter, Sweterlitsch was intrigued by the concept of a "serial portrait," or a series of portraits all about a single subject meant to capture different aspects of the subject's personality. Andrew Wyeth has, perhaps, the most famous "serial portrait" in his Helga series. Alex Katz created a similar project through his lifelong dedication to painting his wife, Ada. "I became interested in how the cumulative effect of a serial portrait can convey a greater understanding of an individual than a single image or moment. Once I met Julia, I realized I would be honored to attempt a 'serial portrait' of such an amazing woman," explains Sweterlitsch.
Sweterlitsch created her images for Julia based on a series of photo shoots she has taken of Erickson at her home/studio in Greenfield and the studios of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. She was welcomed by the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre to observe a studio rehearsal for Giselle where she created life-drawings of Julia, and the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre also graciously allowed Erickson and Sweterlitsch to use costumes for paintings that will highlight the artistry of PBT's dramatic productions while also showcasing specific moments of choreography. The centerpiece of the show will be a diptych of Erickson as Odette and Odile in Swan Lake.
About Julia Erickson:
Born and raised in Seattle Washington, Julia Erickson received her training on a scholarship with Pacific Northwest Ballet School and San Francisco Ballet School. She began her professional career in ballet in 1999, when she accepted a position with Fort Worth-Dallas ballet (now Texas Ballet Theatre) where she danced for two seasons. Julia is now a Principal Dancer with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. She joined the company in 2001, and is about to enjoy her thirteenth season with the PBT.
Some of Julia's favorite roles include Odette/Odile in Swan Lake, The Sylph in La Sylphide, Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, Lady Capulet in Jean-Christophe Maillot's Roméo et Juliette, and the leads in Balanchine's Agon, Prodigal Son, Who Cares? and Serenade.
Julia's career in ballet has taken her around globe. She has performed at the Sadlers Wells Theater in London, the Edinbugh Festival in Scotland, the Hong Kong Festival in China, and most recently in Israel at venues in Karmiel and Tel Aviv. Locally she has performed with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, and choreographed and performed at the annual Dancers' Trust benefit performance.
Throughout her career in ballet, Julia has maintained her passion for food. In 2010 she combined her love of food and ballet, and started a nutrition bar company appropriately called Barre! Barre is a real food nutrition bar conceived of Julia's own recipe in her South Oakland kitchen. Through Barre, Julia endeavors to teach young dancers the importance of proper nutrition and share the culinary secrets of dancers to the rest of the foodie world.
About Sonja Sweterlitsch:
Born and raised in Silver Spring Maryland, Sonja Sweterlitsch came to Pittsburgh to attend Carnegie Mellon University where she graduated with a B.F.A. in Art and a B.A. in Creative Writing. Sweterlitsch has taught studio art classes at the Smithsonian Institute, the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, and the Trust Arts Education Center. She has worked for non-profit arts organizations for the past twelve years. Currently, she coordinates the Artist Market and visual art exhibits for the Three Rivers Arts Festival, plans studio art courses for The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, organizes the visual art for First Night Pittsburgh, and curates 709 Penn Gallery.
After experimenting with diverse media in college and then focusing on abstract painting, Sweterlitsch returned to figurative art six years ago. Over these six years, Sweterlitsch learned techniques of the "Old Masters" through art manuals, frequent museum trips to study paintings in-person, and steady practice. Her imagery is influenced by the classic glamour photography of Edward Steichen and Cecil Beaton as well as the portraiture of John Singer Sargent and Cecilia Beaux.
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4523 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15224
P. 412.687.8858
F. 412.687.6338
Gallery Hours:
Tuesdays: 11am - 6pm
Wednesdays - Saturdays: 10am - 6pm
Sundays: 1 - 5pm
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Box Heart Gallery, owned by Nicole Capozzi and Joshua Hogan, is located in the Bloomfield neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Box Heart Gallery represents and exhibits emerging and mid-career artists whose artwork exemplifies the diversity and originality of contemporary art and fine craft. Box Heart exhibits painting, works on paper, mixed media, sculpture, and textile that illustrates personal creative explorations and artistic commitment. Box Heart's exhibition schedule supports both regional, national, and international represented gallery artists as well as it's mission to discover new talent that exists around the world.
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