Artist Statement
As a former middle and high school art teacher, I began collecting objects and artifacts I hoped would intrigue and inspire my students. When I began to spend more time on my own artmaking, I found these objects held my interest as well. I enjoy the careful creation and orchestration of bringing seemingly unrelated quirky objects together in one unified still life. These generally disparate  items are connected in various ways using  color, line, shape, or pattern;  allowing the viewer's eyes to travel around and through the painting. These same structural elements can be seen in natural settings as well. Tree branches crisscross, creating patterns that interact with the sky, activating background spaces.  Spaces trapped by sailboat masts and sheets dissect the shoreline. Patterns appear in water and buildings that fill the skyline.
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About the Artist
Vanessa White-Capelluti is a multi media artist and retired art teacher. Born in upstate New York, she earned her teaching degree from Indiana University and began teaching in northern Indiana. She moved to Maine in 1982 where she taught middle and high school art and completed  graduate studies at Mass College of Art in Boston. Ms. White Capelluti has received awards from Indiana University, Massachusetts College of Art, was a semifinalist for Maine Teacher of the Year, and earned national  board certification in Art Education. Her paintings are based on observation, and deal with carefully curated still lifes and natural settings.  A resident of South Portland, additional areas of interest include pottery, and photography.
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Education
    Massachusetts College of Art, Boston Massachusetts MS with Honors Art Education
    Indiana University, Bloomington Indiana BS with Honors Art Education
 
Awards
Maine Teacher of the Year Semi-Finalist, 
Rudolf Arnheim Award, Massachusetts College of Art
Hoosier Scholar, Indiana University,
 
Professional Certification
National Board-Certified Teacher   Art Education  
 Maine, Professional Certification Art K-12
 Indiana,  Professional Certification Art K-12
 
Professional Development/Continuing Studies
Maine College of Art and Design, Portland, Maine
University of Southern Maine, Portland/Gorham, Maine
Harvard University Graduate School of Education, Cambridge, Massachusetts
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Exhibitions
2025   No Boundaries   Visiting Artists Juried Exhibition, Aperto Fine Art, Bridgeton, Maine
2025  COLLECT, Juried Art Exhibit and Fundraiser, Maine College of Art and Design, Portland, Maine
2024  Casco Bay Artisans Maine Art Education Association Juried Show, Portland, Maine
2023   University of Southern Maine/MAEA Educators Exhibit, Lewiston, Maine Campus
2022-23  Structured Whimsy  Solo Exhibit, University of New England, Biddeford, Maine
2022 NEXUS: Intersection of Teaching and Learning, Maine College of Art and Design, Portland, Maine
2022-24   COLLECT, Juried Art Exhibit and Fundraiser, Maine College of Art and Design, Portland, Maine
2022 Creative Spirit, Maine Art Education Association Exhibit, Saco Museum, Maine
2021  Speak Your Voice, Virtual Spring Art Exhibition,  Maine College of Art
2020  Maine Art Education Association Educators Exhibit, Saco Museum, Saco Maine
2018-2024  Portland Pottery Holiday Show and Sale, Portland, Maine
2018  Educators and Continuing Studies Exhibit, Maine College of Art, Portland, Maine​