Born in New York City, Karen Pellecchia demonstrated an affinity toward the visual arts early in life. At the age of 13 years old she received an advanced study scholarship to study drawing at Pratt Institute. At the age of 15, she was selected to design a dinnerware collection for Noritake China. Approaching college years, Pellecchia was faced with the choice to pursue studies in either the biological sciences or studio art. After one semester, the decision was clear. She went on to study drawing and painting at Queens College and Brooklyn College and was privileged to work and study under the tutelage of renowned painters, many considered members of the second generation of the New York School of abstract expressionists; artists and art historians included Philip Pearlstein, Wolf Kahn, Lennart Anderson, Lee Bontecou, Robert Birmelin, Lois Dodd, Louis Finkelstein, Jack Flam, and Robert Pincus-Witten.
Earning an MFA from Brooklyn College in 1985, she was selected by jurors Philip Pearlstein and Lennart Anderson to receive the Charles Shaw Memorial Award for distinction in painting. Since that time, Pellecchia has worked as artist, designer, and educator, and has served as Associate Professor of Art at several New York colleges. As educator since 1994, Pellecchia has served as Dean, Art Department Chairperson, studio art and art history faculty member, and mentor; and has received numerous awards for excellence in teaching and leadership.
In 1998,Pellecchia was awarded a full fellowship residency by painter Wolf Kahn to the Vermont Studio School. Her work has been exhibited at Prince St. Gallery, NYC; Amos Eno Gallery, NYC; and Bon A Tirer Gallery, Piermont, NY and NYC.
Her paintings are part of private and public collections including Merrill Lynch, William Latham Inc. and Ann Gish Inc.
Publications include:
Farewell, Susan, “The Look of Home at Last.” Fairfield County Home June 2007:35-43
Braff, Phyllis, “L.I. Artists Take 7 Prizes in Show,” New York Times, 25 May 1986
Lipson, Karin, “Discovering Artists Under 30,” Entertainment, 23 May 1986
Currently, she lives and works in Connecticut, serves on the art faculty at Housatonic Community College, and is a member of the Ridgefield Guild of Artists.
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Contact: kpelle05@yahoo.com