Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharon Koskoff
Hi Sharon, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was always creative and always building things… When I was in Brooklyn college, the only thing I was interested in was majoring in ART. I loved to paint murals since I was 14 and my sister Cheryl asked me to paint one in her newlywed apartment. I never looked back… I loved the large scale! In those days, I painted what was called Super Graphics… I used masking tape and became a master of geometric styled murals. I mixed all my own colors on site, created a color scheme and painted on one wall and the next and the next… even on the ceiling and even cut out pieces of carpet and continued the design. In college, my painting teacher wasn’t inspiring me and so I fell in love with honor sculpture and honor photography.
My sculpture teacher told me one thing that influenced my style forever… He said, “when you paint two-dimensionally, work with the flatness of the space, why try to fool the eye with depth… if you are looking to create depth, work three-dimensionally and create Sculpture!”… Till this day that is my mantra! …. I create everything from large -scale super flat paintings to three-dimensional environmental installations and everything in between!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
To be a self-supporting, female, public artist you must do everything and anything to keep in the public eye….
But when I left New York and moved to Florida I had to find my way…
I taught art to children; I taught art to adults; I gave workshops; I wrote two books; I started my own Needlecraft company, New York Needlecraft, where I sold to stores and created custom designs; I gave art and architectural tours; I became a preservationist and educated the public about historic architecture; I photographed and documented life; I painted residential and public murals; I got grants to work in multicultural communities; I gave public lectures; I spoke on panel discussions; I mentored artists; I organized the community in Art in the AlleyTM revitalization efforts; I started the Art Deco Society of the Palm Beaches, a historic preservation organization; I organized bus trips; I designed the Art Deco Neon Marquis of the Lake Worth Playhouse… I volunteered for all that came my way… and I did anything and everything related to Art, History & Culture!
And I’m not done yet!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Things I am proud of….
In 2014 – 2016, I won the Muse Award in Education from the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County! It’s a great honor and usually given to organizations, not individuals.
In 2022, I had a one-woman retrospective entitled Trilogy: Art, Architecture & Community at Hatch 1121 in Lake Worth Beach, FL.
Recently, I was nominated twice for the Florida Artists Hall of Fame. During the interview, someone unknown to me got up and said “Oh yes, I know of Sharon Koskoff, she absolutely belongs in the Florida Artists Hall of Fame! Wow! I have so much gratitude for the community that I am fortunate to work in… that was worth a million dollars to me…. perhaps the third time will be the charm?
In 2024, Nonprofits First organization held its Hat’s Off Awards Ceremony at the Kravis Center for Performing Arts … What fun, I won Best Hat out of 750 participants!… Designing and Creating is my Life Source and Art is my Religion!
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Make Art… Make More Art ….Join All Museums, Go to all Art Opening Receptions, Visit Art Galleries and Art Shows…Be where the Art is!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.BySharon.com, www.ArtDecoPB.org, and www.ArtintheAlley.org
- Instagram: @ArtDecoPalmBeach and @SharonDelray
- Facebook: BySharon Koskoff
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC627yKy-KUfy58IJ2bQDpAg
Image Credits
Sharon Koskoff
