Working at the intersection of art and healing, my process is guided by a passion for learning and a yearning for harmony. I combine vibrant colors and large interlocking shapes to create visual drama. Decorative to expressive, whimsical to powerful, the bold simplicity of my work may recall the Jamaican island vibe of my maternal homeland, while other times reflects an innate impulse to hone in on the essential. I approach art as an explorer venturing into the unknown with an open curiosity. The openness allows me to see something new. When a work is complete every color, line, shape and texture belong. There's a new balance and harmony that's refreshing and liberating. Art provides a means to expanding consciousness. The seeing and learning, the growth, the healing are what make art valuable.
Sharon Bloomfield Hicks is a Philadelphia based artist, aesthetically influenced by her Jamaican heritage. Her paintings and tapestries are distinguished by bold color combinations, large shapes and active figure-ground relationships. Synthesizing craft materials with painterly intentions she creates fresh, uplifting work which reflects the harmony and well-being she desires to see in the world.
Hicks holds a BFA in painting from Tyler School of Art and an MS in occupational therapy from Philadelphia University. Early in her career, she completed an apprenticeship at the Fabric Workshop and exhibited her work as a member at Third Street Gallery. She served as Personal Secretary to Violette de Mazia at the Barnes Foundation, completed in-depth studies of the Barnes collection and went on to become the first Education Coordinator at the Violette de Mazia Trust.
An interest in ways of seeing in art and life led Sharon to work as a vision therapist and then immersion in the healing arts. Drawing connections between the healing arts and art, she taught Meditate and Create classes at Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and other venues. During her career as an occupational therapist, she came to understand her art practices as a therapeutic activity. She has used a "life as art" philosophy while maintaining an overarching purpose of teaching people to see. Her current work links art with vision and health.
2009
MS in Occupational Therapy, Philadelphia University, Philadelphia, PA
1998 -2001
Scholarship, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Advanced Theoretical and Critical Studies in the Fine Arts for Educators, Part 1 and Part 2, held at the Barnes Foundation, Merion, PA
1993 - 1995
Continuing Education, Textile Design, Philadelphia College of Textiles and Sciences, Philadelphia PA
1987 -1990
Two-year course and Advanced Seminars, the Barnes Foundation, Merion, PA
1985 - 1986
Apprenticeship, the Fabric Workshop, Philadelphia, PA
1982
BFA, Cum Laude, Painting and Fabric Design, Tyler School of Art, Elkins Park, PA
2019
Shankin-Skwersky, Sarina, "Remembering Vio - Violette de Mazia: Director of Education and Spiritof the Barnes Foundation", Kopel Publishing
2013
Wills, Brendan, Interview, Times Herald
2004
Donohoe, Victoria, Review, Philadelphia Inquirer
1997
Puleo, Gary, Interview, Times Herald
1989
Reproduction, Effie, drawing, Vistas Vol. IV, No. 2, Barnes Foundation Press
1988
Reproduction, Untitled, acrylic on canvas, Art Matters
1987
Reproduction, Landscape, mixed media silk banner, Art Matters
Sozanski, Edward J., Review, Philadelphia Inquirer
Brenton, E. Y., Review, South Street Star
InLiquid
Da Vinci Art Alliance
2003 - 2005
Adjunct Faculty, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
1997 - 2004
Art Education Coordinator, The Violette de Mazia Trust, Wayne, PA
1994 - 1995
Drawing and Design Tutor, the Learning Center, Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science, Philadelphia, PA
1987 - 1997
Installation Committee, Moore College of Art and Design Galleries, Philadelphia, PA
1987 - 1992
Assistant to the Director of Art Education, the Barnes Foundation, Merion, PA
2022
Concepts and Compositions: Exploring the Yin and Yang in Art, Health and Life, Da Vinci Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA
2010
Mixed Media Paintings, Pagus Gallery, Norristown, PA
2003
Temple Shalom, Broomall, PA
1995
Compositions, ABFAB Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
1988
Third Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
1987
Third Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
1982
Quissett Bookstore Café, Haverford, PA
2023
New Now VI, InLiquid Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
When the Light Comes In, Invitational Exhibition, DaVinci Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA
Radius / Soft Girl Era, Invitational Exhibition, The Delaware Contemporary, Wilmington, DE
Leslie Shaffer and Nataki Oliver, Curators
Taking a Line for a Walk, Park Towne Place, Philadelphia, PA
Mat Tomezsko, Curator
2022
Expressions of Radnor, Wayne Art Center, Wayne, PA
Perennial Visions IV, Annual Member Show, DaVinci Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA
Family Room, Invitational Exhibition, DaVinci Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA
Summer Juried Show 2022, Abington Art Center, Abington, PA
Meg Wolensky, Juror and Director of Continuing Education at Moore College of Art and Design, Philadelphia, PA
Through the Grid, Invitational Exhibition, Da Vinci ArtAlliance, Philadelphia, PA
2021
Perennial Visions III, Da Vinci Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA
Hope and Possibility, Invitational Auction, Bridgette Mayer Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Created in COVID, 2020 Gallery, Lansdowne, PA
The Lansdowne Arts Board, Curator
Respite in Situ, Three-Person Exhibition, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Bodine Center for Radiation Therapy, Philadelphia, PA
Eric Preisendanz, Curator
2019
Portraits, Pagus Gallery, Norristown, PA
2005
Faculty Exhibition, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Invitational Exhibition, Gallery Zone One, Philadelphia, PA
