We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shelly. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shelly below.

Shelly, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

I’ve worked my whole career thus far in 2 worlds- teaching integrated art programs in the classroom, writing curriculum, running professional developments; and making art in my studio, building collections, showing/selling work. While my purpose connected everything I did, it always felt like maintaining 2 different paths as they grew, separately. I desperately wanted to merge the worlds and display how they inform each other.

At this point, my work spanned abstract paintings, functional and decorative ceramics- with interconnected themes and palette. I scaled back from the quantity in which I sold- no more markets, less retail, and focused on building a concept that could make the impact, that I have in the classroom, on a larger scale for the community. When I started thinking about my lasting legacy, this was a financial and emotional risk that I knew I had to make.

When thinking of public art, I’ve always been fascinated by material, space, and inventive ways to communicate an idea. After a few impactful trips, I developed a concept of installing mosaic components on to a painted mural. I took about a year to develop my approach to mosaic- a focus on the little moments in life. A piece of art, made up of little pieces that connect to the viewer in a very personal, human way. Your first sip of coffee in the morning, the way the sun reflects onto your ceiling. I took this collection, scaled it, and made a mock-up for a public art installation.

This new concept, very near and dear to my heart, was awarded the Clark Recreation Center commission through the City of Cleveland Public Art Project. Just down the street from my studio, I was able to engage the community on this mosaic concept of “The Little Moments”, brought ceramics programs into 2 local schools, and hosted a free ceramic workshop at the studio. With 20 mosaic components, ranging from 18″-96″, made up of 3,500 hand made tiles, the final installation is set for April 2026.

I spent over a decade building & practicing my pedagogy, experimenting with meaningful collections, and have taught thousands of students and adults throughout the city-making this project an important, pivotal moment in my career.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Shelly Svonavec, of Svona Studio! Im a professional artist, educator, and development consultant. Starting my career as a high school art teacher, I found passion in connecting with others and utilizing art, not only a way to express, but to process the world. With a trained background in painting and experience in ceramics, I cultivate creativity through material use and composing different mediums abstractly. I unpacks the concept of duality by juxtaposing fluid mark making with solid shapes and lines as a continuing theme. While paying attention to abstract details in nature, I incorporate colors, patterns, and motifs found in the elements. You can find these principles of design reflected in abstract acrylic paintings, ceramic installations, mosaics, functional pottery, and mixed media fine art. 

For over a decade, I have taught thousands of humans through my work as a Teaching Artist- focusing on visual arts programming that integrates social emotional learning and entrepreneurship. Building curriculum, training artists, conducting professional developments, and consulting on program execution has become an impactful part of my career. In a current societal space where so much is unknown and unstable, I strive to build community and find greater impact through the power of art. 

Working in an intuitive and expressive manner, I use art as a vehicle to resonate with the human experiences of others and offer them creative ways to navigate through life.

Have you ever had to pivot?

After receiving my BFA in Art Educator, I went on to teach High School art. I found so much purpose in my students and our work together. After quickly being promoted to Department Head, selected to join committees, and starting my Masters in Art Education, I started become more outspoken in my passion for the power of the arts and advocating for the impact on our students. Within a few years, celebrating my students graduation and empowering them to chase their dreams, I started to feel…trapped. I knew that if I was to preach about the reaching the stars, I had to be about it.

At this point I knew I would have to have more agency to reach my potential and enrolled in a business class through a community college, for noncredit. I HIGHLY recommend this. I printed the full course, put it in a binder, and completed each assignment, building my first business plan. It became so clear to me that a pivot had to be made. After just 3 years of teaching full time, I put in my resignation and took the leap to chase my dreams.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The agency. Whenever the world feels wildly out of my control and the fear of tomorrow sets in, I find a lot of peace in the power I have to change, grow, and truly live through my values. I have the ability to chose what organization I align myself with and move away from those that do not serve a similar purpose. Its at times like this that I do not have to chose between being loyal to myself or my career, because I am able to live both authentically and with honor.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.svonastudio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/svonastudio

Image Credits

Diana Galay Photography