Skulski Art Gallery Featuring Illustrations By Valerie Sokolova
The Skulski Art Gallery of the Polish Cultural Foundation in Clark, NJ is proud to present works of renowned artist/illustrator Valerie Sokolova from March 4 through 25, 2016. Please join us at the opening reception on Friday, March 4th, 8:00-10:00 p.m. to meet the artist. An added attraction to the opening will be a piano performance by Robert Argasinski and his repertoire includes Chopin’s “Ballade No. 4”. The admission is free and refreshments will be served.
VALERIE SOKOLOVA, illustrator of Polish origin was born in city of Lvov, (Ukraine) in the family of renowned architect Stanislaw Sokolov. She holds a BA in Illustration (Ukrainian Plygraphists Instituted named after Ivan Fedorov) and MFA in Applied and Decorative Arts in Graphic Design field (Belorussian State Institute of Theatre and Art).
Valerie has published more than 30 illustrated picture books in the United States and abroad. Valerie’s books “Royal Birthday Adventure” by I see Me Publishing won Two Gold Medals as the Best Book of the year 2012 (Winner Creative Child Award) USA and (Mom’s Choice Gold Award) USA; and Parent Tested, Parent Approved (PTPA Award) in 2014 USA. Valerie has been awarded at her homeland Ukraine with the Best Children’s artist of the year 2013 (Golden Feather Award). Valerie’s book “Bella Basset Ballerina” won several prestigious national and international awards at Hollywood Book festival and London Book festival in 2010. Her “Thankful Together” children’s picture book became bestseller of Standard Publishing House and sold 100,000 copies the first year. Valerie is a recipient of PSC CUNY Research Award in the field of illustration 2015. Valerie’s first written and illustrated book was “Forest Musicians” published by Starley Publishing, Lvov, Ukraine 2015. She also regularly paints icons in Byzantine tradition and teaches icon painting at the Prosopon School of Iconology in New York City. In addition to her illustration, design, icon painting and teaching work, Valerie is an experienced historical antiques restoration specialist and decorative theater artist. Currently she teaches design, typography and illustration at CUNY University of N.Y. Valerie lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband Alex, daughter Nikkie and friendly wild gecko in the basement.
The Polish Cultural Foundation, a non-profit organization is located at 177 Broadway, Clark, New Jersey 07066, just off exit 135 from the Garden State Parkway. For more information visit www.pcfnj.org , or contact PCF office at 732-382-7197.
