Bio

Sheila Cuellar-Shaffer has been working as an artist, primarily as a painter, and designer for over 15 years. A native of Palmira, Colombia, Sheila graduated with a degree in Architectural Design from the Fundación Academia de Dibujo Profesional and studied Fine Arts at the Instituto Departamental de Bellas Artes in Cali, Colombia. Sheila is a 2017 Flight School Fellow, an initiative of Pittsburgh Center For The Arts/Pittsburgh Filmmakers, Creative Capital and The Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.

Sheila’s work has been shown at the Carnegie Museum of Art, Susquehanna Museum of Art, Westmoreland Museum of American Art, Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art and numerous galleries in Pennsylvania, Florida, New York and Colombia. Sheila has been invited to show her work at the Pennsylvania State Capitol and the United States Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory. Her design Democracy is Power was chosen by the Amplifier Foundation curatorial team, which includes Shepard Fairey, to travel around the country with #powertothepolls, a touring exhibit organized by the Amplifier Foundation along with Women’s March to inspire people from around the country to take to the polls for the 2018 Midterm Elections. 

Sheila currently serves on the Exhibitions Committee of the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh and the Board of Directors of the Westmoreland Diversity Coalition.

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ARTIST STATEMENT

For many years my work was the result of introspection and the passage of time. I created narratives of the under layers of existence, depicting memories of my own reality as an immigrant; exploring identity, diversity. The imagery in my work is based in actual places and experiences although my paintings fluctuate between imaginary landscapes and beings. 

Two years ago, political commentary entered my work and I began to address the vast changes I see in society on a daily basis. Through my art I document the reaction to the political climate, the change in people’s behavior and the nature of political power. Also, I am interested in how basic ideas have played a crucial role in stirring up anger and violence and the distress that this causes to the most vulnerable.

2019

Upcoming:  The 107th Annual Exhibition, Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, Juror Juana Williams, Westmoreland Museum of American Art, Greensburg, PA

Candyland: The Land of Hope, Solo Show, Juror Jessica Alpern Brown, Curated by Tina Dillman, Pittsburgh Center for Arts & Media, Pittsburgh, PA

2018

Artistas de Mayo, Eastside Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA

2017

22nd Annual, Western Pennsylvania Council for the Arts, Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art, Ligonier, PA

Small Works, Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, Curated by Jill Larson, Bottle Works, Johnstown, PA

Electric Kool-Aid, Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, Curated by Corey Carrington, Brew House, Pittsburgh, PA

Contemplating Others, Associated Artists of Pittsburgh Curated by Sean Beauford, Jask Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA

2016

105th Annual, Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh, PA

New Members, Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, The Mine Factory, Pittsburgh, PA

Juried Visual Art Show, Three Rivers Arts Festival, Pittsburgh, PA

2015

Recent Works, Solo Show, 709 Penn Gallery, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust,  Pittsburgh, PA

Hispanic Heritage, Susquehanna Art Museum, Harrisburg, PA

Hispanic Heritage Celebration, Pennsylvania State Capitol, Harrisburg, PA

Aquí, Assemble, curated by Maritza Mosquera, Pittsburgh, PA

Creative Festival Finalist, Pittsburgh Technology Council/CMU/Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh, PA

2014

Southmoreland Patrons of the Arts, Alverton, PA

2013

18th Annual Regional Juried Exhibition, Western PA Council for the Arts, Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art, Ligonier, PA

Art in our Midst, Southern Alleghenies Museums of Art, Altoona, PA

Curator, Westmoreland Art Nationals, Youngwood, PA

Curator, Westmoreland Art Nationals, Latrobe, PA

2012

Westmoreland Juried Biennial – Westmoreland Museum of American Art, Greensburg, PA

2011

17th Annual Regional Juried Exhibition, Western PA Council for the Arts, Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art, Ligonier, PA

Annual Gala, Greater Latrobe Partners in Education Foundation, Latrobe, PA

2010

Design Art & Technology DATA Awards, Pittsburgh Technology Council, Pittsburgh, PA

2007

Women’s Works, 709 Penn Gallery, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh, PA

Curatorial Biennial, Apexart Gallery, New York, NY

2006

Public Art Commission, Fear the Turtle Sculptures – University of Maryland, College Park, MD

Public Art Commission , Phantastic Phil, Sponsored by Housing Authority of Jefferson County, Punxsutawney, PA

2005

Women in Art, Seton Hill University, Greensburg, PA

Public Art Commission, Phantastic Phil, Sponsored by McDonalds, Punxsutawney, PA

2003

Hispanic Heritage Festival, Office of the Mayor Manny Díaz, Miami, FL

2002

International Biennial II, ARA Gallery, Coral Gables, FL

Conceptual Exhibit El, ARA Gallery, Coral Gables, FL

Transgressing Place, Miami Dade College, Centre Gallery, Miami, FL

Women’s Month, Latin American Art Museum, Miami, FL

2001

105th Anniversary Celebration, Tower Theater, Miami, FL

Rituales, Power International Art Gallery, Coral Gables, FL

Diversity Collection commissioned by Royal Caribbean Cruises

2000

Colectiva, Power International Art Gallery, Coral Gables, FL

1999

From the Other Side, Valter Morais Art Gallery, Coral Gables, FL

Instituto Departamental de Bellas Artes, Santiago de Cali, Colombia

• Photo credit: Cara Mastrostefano.