Professional / Educational Background & Artist Statement
Andrea M. Dionese, MS
(585) 314-1029 * adionese@rochester.rr.com

The core derivations of my artwork stem from enigmatic visions of the ancient world. The myths and rituals at the center of ancient cultures has become a source of rich inspiration and visual communication for me as an artist. In every crisis, dilemma, ambition and life experience, I believe we are somehow connected spiritually and instinctively to what is unknown or "the unknown" and it tries to teach us our purpose in order to find meaning through out our lives. The elusive and unpredictability of life is what intrigues me as an artist, and through my curiosity, I try to elicit and evoke inquisitiveness from my audience; particularly their instinctual voice. I use many aspects of history, which are pieced together to be revitalized and reborn into something visually different, yet still speaking the same language.

I see the majority of my artwork as a combination of realism and surrealism which relate to my growth as a woman and the many parts of my feminine and masculine aspects. Also, the celebration of womanhood which reflects my passion for ancient traditions that held the belief of spirituality and sexuality as one sacred unity. A unity I believe is lost in our culture and is viewed as separate or as opposites. My art expresses the realization of my sensitivities, my passionate side and my dark and elusive side. Some of my choices of symbolism and themes in some pieces derive from my love for dramatic fantasy and mythos.

As my evolution as an artist progresses, my most current work reveals continued growth and can be seen through my portraiture of women with archetypal symbolism. The style of my current work has evolved to be more fluid and abstract while incorporating the figure. I strive to capture emotion and personality through the figure and portraiture of the subjects I paint or draw. I also am starting to combine my style of watercolor washes with intricate details of various patterns.

Education: Nazareth College, Master's of Science in Art Therapy.
Graduated: May 2006 GPA: 3.8
Rochester Institute of Technology, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration with a Concentration in Psychology.
Graduated Cum Laude: May 2001.
Monroe Community College, Associates Degree in Fine Arts.
Graduated: May 1999.

Solo Exhibitions:
"Revolving Art Exhibits" at Italian American Community Center. Rochester, NY
May 1st - May 31st 2006.
"Artist of the Month" at the Art Forum at American Association of University Women." Rochester, NY.
November - December 2003

Selected Group Exhibitions:
"NYFSG annual member's show"
Steve Carpenter Art Gallery- New York Figure
Study Guild - 176 Anderson Ave Rochester, NY 14607
"Salon des Refuses" Visual Studies Workshop - Rochester, NY
August 2nd-3rd 2003
"Festa Italiana" Art Exhibition - Italian American Community
Center. Rochester, NY
July18th- July20th 2003
" Spring Salon part 2" Limner Gallery - New York, NY
May 17th- June 7th 2003
"The Contemporary Narrative" Agora Gallery - SOHO, New York, NY
July 2 - July 23 2002
"Ninth Annual Members' Exhibition," Pyramid Art Center- Rochester, NY
September 18 - October 24 1998
"5th Annual Village Gate Art Exhibition" Village Gate Square - Rochester, NY
October 17th- November 25 1998


Affiliations: Member of New York Figure Study Guild at Steve Carpenter Art

Gallery. 176 Anderson Ave. Rochester, NY 2009
Member of the American Art Therapy Association, Inc.
www.arttherapy.org - 2005- 2008
Member of Art Committee at the "Italian American Community
Center." Rochester, NY - 2003 & 2004
Member of the American Association of University Women
Rochester, NY - 2003 & 2004
Member of "Pyramid Art Center" Rochester, NY 1998-1999

Volunteer: Mentor for "Women helping Girls" program at the American Assoc.

of University Women. 494 East Ave. Rochester, NY 2003-2004
Co-Chairmen & Curator of the "Festa Italiana" Art Exhibition at the
Italian American Community Center. Rochester, NY July 2003
Donated a painting to "Engine 6" firehouse New York, NY a tribute
to Victums of September 11th, donated September 2002 Annual art presentations and demonstrations, Paul Road grammar
school Rochester, NY 2001- 2003


Publications: 3 paintings of a 6 piece series published in Book Art Press- "New
Art International" by Jerry Sedley 2002- 2003 edition.
Woodstock, NY

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