LDDA

July 2021 Featured Artist - Karen Solomon


Biography


Karen (Marie Melich) Solomon was born in Charleston, South Carolina and was raised on Indian Rocks Beach and Treasure Island, Florida.  In her natural surroundings. she discovered her passion for the arts.

At the University of Miami she was employed as a costume assistant to Dr. Roberta Baker and worked in the RIng Theatre and in the Shakespeare Summer Festival.  She completed her education at University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in Theater emphasizing scene design and performance as well as studying the visual arts.

After finishing her BA, she began studying ballet and other forms of dance.  In addition, she completed a Master of Fine Arts program at USF. During her studies there, she had the opportunity to teach a variety of art classes.  Upon completion of her MFA, she taught visual arts at Hillsborough Community College and visual literacy at the University of South Tampa.  Simultaneously, she opened Studio Gallery on Azeele St. in south Tampa which was a haven for artist to get the type of exposure needed to succeed in their particular discipline.

Her work has been juried and shown in multiple exhibitions throughout Florida: USF Centre Gallery (Ken Rollins), USF Contemporary Museum (Mary Beth Edelson), Art on the Park, Morean Art Center, St. Petersburg, American Craft Hyde Park, Hillsborough Community College Art Gallery,
Hotel Tahitian Inn ( J. S. Boggs).  Her solo exhibitions have been viewed at: Northwest Regional Branch Library-Hillsborough County, USF Centre Gallery, USF Contemporary Gallery, TECO Lobby Gallery, Hillsborough Community College-Ybor Campus and Antiquarian and Bay Street Gallery in Lakeland FL.  Karen has created several portraits of composers on violins for the purpose of raising money for the Florida Orchestra and the St. Petersburg Opera Company,  

Karen's belief is "No matter what the artist choice, ART is a way of life." Please tap on the link below to see 5 examples of Karen's artistic creations.  If you are interested in seeing more of Karen's work, please contact her at ksolarts@gmail.com.