Meet Susan Attea of Susan Attea Artist and Designer in Pilsen

Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Attea.

Susan, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I received my B.A. at SUNY Geneseo, where I graduated with a Major in Theatre and a Minor in Fine Art. I continued my education at the University of Michigan graduating with an M.F.A. in Scenic Design. After completing my Master’s degree I moved to Chicago where I continued to work as a freelance designer and painter. I was able to find work with several different Fabrication studios where I gained experience working in many artistic projects including Theatre, Opera, Ballet, Movies, Television, Video and Murals.

I joined the team and for over 25 years now, work with a company called RedBox Workshop the Scenic Charge Artist, Fabrication Manager, and Head of the Scenic Art Department. RedBox Workshop is a custom Scenic Studio that works Nationally and Internationally, designing and fabricating interactive exhibits for Children’s Museums, Libraries, Ministries, and Theatres as well as Industrial, Commercial and Public works. So through the years, I expanded my knowledge base having the opportunity to work in many different venues.

I continue to do Freelance Theatre Design and Fine Artwork throughout the Midwest. I am also the Director of LALUZ Gallery in Chicago.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There are always challenges when working in the arts. There is not always the financial support that you might like in your chosen field. It is important to be flexible in what you do to survive. Work hard and understand that once you have art in your life, it can not be taken away from you.

The trick is finding the time to continue to keep your dream alive. Sing, dance, draw or paint. Join a Community theatre. Time is sometimes the biggest challenge, but if you can find some time during your day to be creative and do something artistic, it will stay with you forever. I don’t recommend dancing in the shower but you can certainly sing!

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Susan Attea Artist/Designer – what should we know?
As an artist, I take my lifelong experiences and try and incorporate them into my artwork. My art is influenced by my theatrically artistic background. For almost 30 years I have expressed myself through design and painting for both the theatre and the fine arts. My paintings are often the visual result of dramas played out in my imagination. I enjoy working with texture because it brings a surprise element to the working process.

I find things through the texture that are generally unplanned but inevitably become essential to the final product. This helps me keep an open narrative with the painting and freshness to the evolving aspect of the work. Acrylic paint is my preferred medium and I like to work with layers of colors, building up layer after layer of translucent color glazes to add subtlety and depth to my pieces.

When someone attends a theatre performance they take away something emotional from a work that was written and performed. In the same way, I hope that the art viewer takes away something personal from the experience. Everyone will bring their own singular life experience to the vision of what they see. This is what makes each person’s visual artistic encounter unique to them as they interpret the art. No description from the artist is as important as the respective significance that the beholder brings.

As the Director of Laluz gallery, we always work towards having the diversity of artwork that includes a large variety of artists. Renown, Emerging, Women, Community based artists are all welcome. We continue to expand our venue inviting other artistic opportunities beyond the visual artist. We are also hoping to help make Pilsen a sanctuary for art and culture.

Our neighborhood is in transition but we think it is important to keep the essence of the neighborhood which has always been artistically and culturally strong. Change is good but it is also important to keep the distinctiveness of the community intact.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Virtually everyone deserves credit for where I am today as an artist. All the family and friends who supported me as I studied and worked at a career in the arts. My parents encouraged me in my endeavor to follow the arts. I also worked at several theatre companies in Chicago with my sister.

Even the teachers that told me I should maybe think about a different career path were influential to me. I found out the hard way that art is subjective. What one person loves-another person will dislike. This was actually a life-changing moment for me.

Once in Chicago, I knew this is where I would grow and find my way. My husband and children continue to be my fighting force and inspiration to continue my art career. I cherish all the influences in my life.

Contact Info:

• Address: 1545 W 18th St Chicago, IL 60608
• Website: laluzgallery.net
• Phone: 312-401-6344
• Email: atteart@yahoo.com
• Instagram: susanattea
• Facebook: Susan Attea

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