Biography
Joan Phares lives a creative life. She spent many years as an art student, and even more years as a high school art teacher. Her personal work is eclectic and indicates a passionate progression of subjects, materials, and spaces. Her favorite canvas is a neglected structure with an interesting past.
In addition to earning a Masters Degree in Studio Art at the College of New Rochelle in New York, she studied at a number of fine art institutions. At the Art Students League in New York City, she was fortunate to learn from exceptional artists such as Nickie Orbach and Sylvie Germaine Covey. Years of study with Dan Gheno at the National Academy School in New York City and Roger Hendricks at SUNY Purchase provided an exceptional drawing and painting foundation. Ceramicist, Connie Sherman, was a special teacher and mentor. This eclectic education was shared with Joan’s students at Edgemont High School in Scarsdale, New York for several years. Many of her former students pursued art in college and later chose art related careers.
Joan is an exhibiting artist with the gallery bau, Beacon Artist Union in Beacon, New York. The artist’s work has been included in several group shows and galleries. Her work was exhibited at the Cork Gallery at Lincoln Center in New York City as well as smaller New York galleries located in Manhattan, Nyack, Locust Valley, Bedford, Cold Spring, and Garrison Landing. She also exhibits with the Ceramics League of the Palm Beaches in Florida. Two juried shows at the Hopper House in Nyack included her figurative paintings. She was awarded top honors at the Art Students League’s show in print making. Joan’s work was frequently included in student shows at The National Academy School where she received first prize in Mixed Media. Peter Wiley of Gallery and Studio Magazine wrote, “Joan Phares works with found objects, such as dismembered dolls, and a working clock--albeit combined with skillful realist drawing and painting in a particularly poetic manner. A new discovery (at least for this reviewer), Phares’ mixed media assemblages are reminiscent of Marisol at her most inventive.”