Today we’d like to introduce you to Shelly Svonavec
Hi Shelly, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
A proud Cleveland native, I grew up using art as my emotional outlet for how I processed the world around me. Sports and academics took the most of my focus throughout my years in school but when deciding on my career I knew I had to follow my internal motivation to express myself and connect with others.
After receiving my BFA in Art Education- Painting from Bowling Green State University, at just 21 I moved to Charlotte, NC to teach high school Ceramics and Visual Arts in a high needs setting. Within 3 years I developed immensely as an educator and artist- with empathy, compassion, and ambition as my core values, I found purpose in connection and inspired by the experiences of my students. My abstract style of painting flourished- full with commissions, exhibitions, and vending opportunities. Driven with this new spirit and desire for creative agency, I enrolled in a business class resulting in a business plan and a move back to my home of Cleveland.
In 2017, I moved back to Cleveland and immersed myself in the small business and artistic community. I found my work as a teaching artist within the non-profit, Center for Arts Inspired Learning, where I still work as an independent contractor teaching integrated art programs and consulting on building curriculum and professional development programs. Much of my work focuses on Social-Emotional Learning and cultivating a lasting impact with the youth through art.
Artistically I am still driven by the need to experiment with material, working in acrylic, oil, and ceramic. I work out of my 2,000 sq ft studio in the historic Hildebrandt building nestled in the heart of the Clark Fulton neighborhood. I create collections of paintings and ceramics mean to resonate with the viewers by tapping into their memories, emotions, and experiences. While the materials of my pieces vary, you’ll notice a continuity of warmer colors and a modern, soft style.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Any artistic endeavor comes with a level of risk. While I’ve always had strong ambitions and dreams, I think very strategically of my moves before taking a leap. No stranger to hard work, I worked many side jobs in the beginning of my career (even while teaching) to pursue my dreams. I never wanted the full financial weight on just my art, risking the motivation for making.
While I could plan and work hard, there were unexpected hurtles that were outside of my control. Covid, obviously, was really tough. Working as a contractor in schools, the second schools closed I lost my work. And then in 2023 I tore my ACL. This injury put my entire career in perspective- how critical my healthy, functioning body was. It was a turning point in focusing on my health and wellbeing as I continue this path. It also made me consider my streams of revenue and how I could differentiate how I made money.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I was a trained oil painter in college but find my most creative outlet through experimentation. I still practice oil painting with dreamy landscapes and love capturing my travels through this lens. As I advanced my career in education, I shifted my work into a more abstract, expressive style. Laying the canvases flat, utilizing different viscosities of paint, varied mark making, and composition, I found this energetic work felt more connected to my intention of emotions and to resonate with the viewer. I find visual inspiration in the abstract details of nature- water, ground, and the experiences of different landscapes.
After teaching high school ceramics, I found my love for clay and have continued to expand and experiment in this new medium. You’ll find similar color palettes, marking making, and subjects in my ceramics work. While i always keep a collection of functional work on hand, Ive recently delved into mounted ceramic installations and combining these ceramic elements into my 2D work.
Its hard to pin down exactly what Im known for, but I hope that the connection and impact of my work carries through no matter what it’s made of. I so am proud of my commitment to authentically exploring art through whatever feels most true. I believe that my experience & training in education and Social Emotional Learning informs my work and paired with a unique approach to material and design sets my work apart.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I could never sit still. Whether it was playing sports, exploring the woods, creating new games, or tinkering with random art supplies in the basement, I always had to be doing something.
I was never super focused on art as my future or had some incredible, natural talent. But the concept of creating kept my attention like none other. A bit head strong, I had an internal motivation to be the best I could be. I excelled academically and was always passionate about my morals and standing up for what I believed in. Starting with babysitting at 11, I developed a work ethic throughout my teens and always wanted to grow and be better.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.svonastudio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/svonastudio
