Painting/Drawing

Contact Information

e-mail:
www.nancyhalbertart.com
Please contact artist for purchases, commissions, etc.

Artist Statement

“Boredom is foreign to Halbert’s paintings-variation , not repetition, is her rule in dealing with the figure. Several of her finest subjects achieve an independent complexity in their rugged, hearty dignity.”
– Victoria Donahue, The Philadelphia Inquirer, 4/17/11

I was a choreographer and modern dancer for most of my life. It is the balance between energy and stillness that I focus on in my art. I reflect this discord in a gesture and painterly style. The paintings show a contradiction between motion and stillness. Nothing stays still for very long, and why should it? Movement is inherent in growth. As a retired dancer, I transferred all of my creative energy to learn to draw and paint, which led me to develop a unique artistic approach, drawing into paint.

While painting, I begin as I would when choreographing a dance, one element moving into the next. A line begins, takes shape into mass, which will deepen with color, and then culminates into an expressionistic, impressionistic experience. I use a variety of media to create a raw, yet, luminous painting style. Fabrics may be integrated on to the surface, rendering a sense of place and serve as a reminder of my experiences as a decorative painter.

My paintings are an honest representation developed through a feminine looking glass. They are about me, yet distorted. I look inward to paint my experiences as a mother, wife, daughter, sister, teacher, and creator. I am surrounded by strong personalities and I dream vivid dreams. The mixture is a heavy cocktail between stillness and constant activity leading me to paint motion to evoke emotion.

I have had an extensive career teaching art to students of all levels and ages. My teaching is an integral part of my art making process. I never stop growing as an artist by listening to others while empowering students to create in their own personal style. I am available for workshops and private lessons in a variety of media.

Education

2002
University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA
MA, Teaching in the Visual Arts

1984
Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
MFA, Choreography and Dance Performance

1979
Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
BFA, Dance and Arts Administration

Honors and Awards

1989
City of Philadelphia Citation Award as the Executive Director of the CEC Philadelphia, PA

1987
Choreography Fellowship, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts

1985
Residency Grant Recipient, Interdisciplinary Performance, Painted Bride Art Center, Philadelphia, PA

1980
Outstanding Student Achievement Award, Expanded Arts Department, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH

Affiliations

Muse Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

Tyme Gallery, Havertown, PA

Professional Experience

2000 – present
Instructor, Main Line Art Center, Haverford, PA

2005 – present
Instructor, Lower Merion Township Main Line School Night, Creutzberg Campus, Radnor, PA

2004 – 2007
Instructor, District of Haverford Township, Haverford Night School, Haverford, PA

2003 – 2005
Instructor, Continuing Education Department, Delaware County Community College, Media, PA

2002 – 2003
Student Teacher in Art, Lynnewood Elementary School

Student Teacher in Art, Haverford High School School District of Haverford Township, Havertown, PA

1995 – 2000
Decorative Painter, murals, furniture, faux finishes

1989 – 1992
Consultant – to non-profit artsorganizations and artists in grant writing and program development in Philadelphia

1985 – 1989
Executive Director, Community Education Center (THE CEC), a non-profit educational and cultural arts center serving diverse populations and citywide independent visual and performing artists.

1979 – 1991
Choreographer, modern dancer and teacher

Collections

Paintings and Drawings are in private collections in United States and Australia

Selected Exhibitions

Solo

2011
MUSE Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2010
Knapp Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2009
E-motion, Muse Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

Balance Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2007
Merion Art and Repro, First Friday Main Line, Ardmore, PA

Jewel of India, First Friday Main Line, Ardmore, PA

Two-person

2008
Blending Forms: paintings and pottery, Tyme Gallery, Havertown, PA

Group

2011
PROCESS, Aktion Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

SCORE!, Art in City Hall, Philadelphia, PA

2009
The Rhythmic Figure, ICO Gallery, New York, NY

6th Annual Betsy Meyer Memorial, Main Line Art Center, Haverford, PA

Faculty Show, Main Line Art Center, Haverford, PA

Contemporary Visions, Woodmere Art Museum, Chestnut Hill, PA

Members Exhibit Together, Knapp Gallery, Philadelphia PA

Members Show, Twenty-Two Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2008
Six of One, Muse Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

Sherman Mills, Carano Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2008
New Members Show, Muse Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2007
IDENTITY, Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, PA

Viking Culinary, First Friday Main Line, Bryn Mawr, PA

Faculty Show, Main Line Art, Haverford, PA

Artsisters, Gyphon Cafe, Wayne Art Center, Wayne, PA

Artsisters, Wellness Center, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, PA

Works On Paper, The Sketch Club, Philadelphia, PA

2006
Painting the Unclothed Figure, Fine Arts Gallery, Exton, PA

Faculty Show, Main Line Art Center, Haverford, PA

The Art League, American College, Bryn Mawr, PA

Artists Guild of Delaware County, Darlington Arts Center, PA

2005
Faculty Show, Main Line Art Center, Haverford, PA

Member Exhibit, Main Line Art Center, Haverford, PA

2004
Member Exhibit, Main Line Art Center, Haverford, PA

2002
Juried Graduate Show, University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA

Other

2008, 2009, 2010
POST, Philadelphia, PA