Artist Statement

Art is a visual vehicle allowing me to share my unique emotional viewpoint of the world. Coming from an extremely creative family I learned at a very early age to express my thoughts and emotions in a visual manner. Over the years I have worked in several different mediums, but the message has remained the same. My goal as an Artist is to envelop you in the emotionality of my work. Hopefully my lyrical style moves you.

 Artist Biography 

My formal education began with after school Art classes. Throughout High School I exhibited in many shows and won many prizes for my endeavors.

After graduating from University of Massachusetts in Amherst receiving a BFA in Sculpture, I opened and operated "The Springfield Art Center" while continuing to exhibit work in the Western Massachusetts area.

After moving to Rhode Island I continued my education at the Jewelry Institute in Providence Rhode Island. I then opened my own business "Casanna Jewelry Design".

The focus of my designs centered on the fluid movements of Ballet Dancers. I made original samples in wax or metal. All the body parts were created separately. I then had molds made of my original parts and cast them in gold, silver, or brass. I coordinated all the supporting vendors for casting, polishing, and plating. Once all the parts were ready I assembled them in a puppet manner creating a unique line of Jewelry.

After I closed my Jewelry Company I was still very interested in combining functionality with Art. At the time we were living in a rented apartment whose kitchen floor really was lacking in personality. I have always loved viewing Art on the floor so creating floor cloths in any color palette and size was a perfect union of my interest.

My Floor Cloth works lead me in to the Interior Decorating profession.....My work in this area is really a resume. I found creating the perfect environment for clients to be extremely rewarding.

During my time as a Decorator I dealt with a illness that put me out of commission for a period of time. Once again I reverted back to visual storytelling to help me deal with that episode in my life. It was during this alone time that I realized sharing my artistic view of the world has merit on it own. I am no longer striving to combine Art and functionality I just wish to share with you my unique vision of the world.                   

Education

University of Massachusetts Amherst, Ma

Jewelry Institute of Rhode Island

Member Affiliations

Providence Art Club

The Cocktail Club Studio

Newport Art Museum

Rhode Island State Council for the Arts

Newport's Arts League

Cambridge Art association

Society of illustrators

 Current Gallery Representation

Hope Gallery- Bristol RI

Cabot House Gallery- West Warwick, RI

The Cocktail Club Studio

Solo Exhibitions

Bank RI- Providence, RI2010-2011

Cabot House Gallery- West Warwick, RI

Waterfront Fitness- Newport RI- 1999-2001

Past Exhibitions

                     Jamestown Town Hall...........................Large works Show- Sept 2011

                     Warwick Art Museum- 26th Annual RI Honorable mention     2011

                     Warwick Art Museum.........................................................June 2011

Chabot Fine Arts Gallery- Providence, RI                 "Energy Show" 2011

Cambridge Art Association- Cambridge MA- 66th Annual Fall show 2010

                                                                         New Members show 2010

Gallery X- New Bedford, MA.   Member show, Public Hanging, X on X

                                                                                       2009, 2010, 2011

Gallery Z- Providence, RI..."Collection"................................2009-2010

URI- Feinstein Campus- Providence, RI.............Cancer Survivor Show

                              Armenian Genocide, Show, Racism Show, 2010, 2011

New Art Originals- London UK..................One line Gallery 2009-2011

Peacock Gallery- South Attleboro, MA...............................2009, 2010

Mudstone Gallery- Warren, RI.............................................2009, 2010

Imago Gallery- Warren, RI-RI Art Guild Members Show...............2010

Reel Gallery- Newport, RI.........................................................2010    

Newport RI Art Museum-Juried Annual Members how .................2009

The Barn Gallery- Newport, RI.......................................................2000

Waterfront Fitness- Newport RI............................................1995-2000

North Kingstown Train Station- North Kingston, RI........................1996

UMASS- Amherst MA...................................................................Past

Springfield Arts Center- Springfield MA..........................................Past

Springfield Ma- Area Restaurants....................................................Past