Spiewak, Ilene

Ilene Spiewak is an expressionist painter, known for her colorful still life and semi-abstract oil and acrylic paintings. She breaks the boundaries of traditionalism with her bold and expansive artwork. Her unique style is based on building layers of strong, vibrant colors to create her paintings. Ilene’s compositions are slightly off center, bring shape and color combinations to the viewer’s attention, creating the right mix of tension and energy.

“I am inspired by the very essence of nature, by the beautiful layers of sky and water and everything in between,” commented Spiewak about her creative process.

“The quest for dripping, layering, and peeling away unnecessary elements and forms in order to create a sense of balance and unity, motivates and excites me. My work has always been about washes of intense colors coupled with an unconventional use of composition and space,”  she explained.

Ilene Spiewak has been teaching students for over 25 years and has brought an amazing amount of talent to the Berkshire Visual and Performing Arts Program. While at CIP, she has worked with a wide range of students on the Autism spectrum and with learning differences to help them discover their creative talents. Her classes have included Studio Arts Techniques, Printmaking and Art On-the-Go. In addition to her classroom contributions, Ilene works one-on-one with students in a clinical environment where she uses therapeutic creation as a method of expression and personal growth. Her work in the art setting provides students with emotional release and relaxation, increased self esteem and sense of personal worth.

“My goal in teaching young adults includes providing ways to nurture individual creativity and experimentation with various art mediums, which can offer a sense of accomplishment and improve one’s psychological health”, Ilene added.

Ilene’s works has been purchased for private collections in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Florida, and California, and has been exhibited in juried shows at The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, The Fleisher Art Memorial, The Philadelphia Sketch Club and Haystack Mountain School of Crafts. Her art has been represented in both group shows and solo shows in Philadelphia and the Berkshires.

Juried/ Invited Group Exhibitions

Philadelphia Open Studio Tours

PAFA Gallery 1310

Fleisher Art Memorial

Philadelphia Sketch Club

Community Audio, Chestnut Hill, PA

High Point Café, Philadelphia, PA

Classic Country, Canaan, NY

Riverbend Café, Great Barrington, MA

Continuing Education

2013 Haystack Mountain School of Crafts

2011 Provincetown Art Association Museum

2004-2007 Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (PAFA)

2005 Fleisher Art Memorial

2002 University of the Arts

Education

1997 American Art Therapy Association Board certification

1995 MA Art Therapy, Hahnemann University

1974 BA Art Education, Pennsylvania State University