Bette DelVecchio

Like most children, my options for self-expression were limited by the adults surrounding me. I was quite small, so the challenge of clothing me opened a door to the wonderful world of second-hand stores.  In them, I could find materials for creating anything I could imagine, while spending almost no money.  In retrospect, this was the very beginning of my life as an artist.  Whether it’s reworking used clothing or creating art by throwing a pot, or creating a painting, the end result is the same: an original creation which represents my unique artistic vision.

My love of clay is directly tied to its ability to become anything from nothing.  It’s one of the most basic materials: soft and hard, new and ancient, rough and smooth, easy, yet incredibly demanding.  No matter how complex or structured it becomes, it ultimately returns to the earth to cycle once again.  I studied clay with leading ceramicists from the Midwest, and with the Oxbow School in Saugatuck, a program of the Chicago Institute of Art.

The pieces I make are simple, reflecting my love of just about all things Oriental. The simplicity emerging in my current work is influenced greatly by a trip to China, where I was reminded of my love of a balanced design that is pleasing to the eye.

Several years ago, I began to travel into the wonderful world of acrylic painting. Since then, I have trained in 2D non-objective mixed media artwork, and have exhibited widely in that medium.

Education:

Clarion State Teachers College, Clarion, PA

Muskegon Community College

Various Seminars

Selected Shows and Awards:

Gallery Uptown Winter Arts Festival, Grand Haven, MI

Lakeland Artists’ Spring Show- Best of Show 2015, Norma Green Memorial Award 2013: Grand Haven, MI

Lakeland Artists’ Fall Show-Norma Green Memorial Award for Best Abstraction 2013, 2014, Grand Haven, MI

Muskegon Museum of Art Michigan Contemporary Art Exhibition (Regional): Muskegon, MI

ArtWalk 2013, 2015- Second Place, Grand Haven, MI

International Society of Experimental Artists Exhibition

ArtPrize 2013, Grand Rapids, MI

Newaygo County Council for the Arts Jansma Gallery Solo Exhibit 2013, Fremont, MI

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