Sylvia Garland has spent a passionate lifetime pursuing her art in conjunction with a career in teaching and student counselling that spanned 25 years in the New York school system. During this time Sylvia was also a volunteer at Long Beach Hospital in Long Beach, NY. After retiring from her teaching career, she moved to Tucson, AZ full time and participated in many painting and printmaking programs. She is active in the arts community and continues her work at her studio in Tuscon. Her education in the arts included studies at the High School of Music and Art, NYC, a BA and MA from Hofstra University, NYC, the School of Visual Arts, NYC and Pima Community College, Tucson, AZ.
Sylvia has exhibited her work in many Arizona galleries, community centers, and other retail venues.
"It's has been a wonderous experience for me, almost a renaissance. Painting as a child, skipping to adolescence, art school, career in teaching and counseling, then back to art as an older adult. Starting in New York City then moving to Tucson in the 90's, what special times!
To be able to paint has provided me with an opportunity to combine various aspects of my being. My paintings and monotypes develop in pretty much the same way. Starting with a small object, usually a seed pod or a leaf, I develop my work around it. I explore different compositions with many layers of paint until I feel that everything works. The final work is a compilation of my feelings and my aesthetics - my painting.
As a high school counselor, I had many opportunities to work with and help students. Now with the crisis that our world is in, I find it necessary to help anyone in need."