Text by Ellen Tiberino, Copyright 2023
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Creative Director: KVaughn
Hair & Makeup: Tracey Olkus
Lighting Grip: Sam Binder
Photography: Tony Ward, Copyright 2023
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Since birth I was involved in the visual arts and the spirit of creativity. My parents Ellen Powell Tiberino and Joe Tiberino, both had distinguished visual art careers. As a child, I always worked at home as an artist and attended classes at Fleisher Art Memorial. Over the past twenty years I have been inspired and I’ve developed as a prominent artist. The largest part of my inspiration was in finding my medium. I truly enjoy working with stained glass and the entire process is a very soothing, almost a religious experience for me. From choosing the different rich colors of glass panes, then cutting and moving the glass pieces around until they work just right, to seeing the finished product emerge after grouting. I work with the stained glass in a method of mosaic that I would equate to painting with glass. It is a very thought out and precise. I like the colors of the stained glass to flow. Nature is one of my biggest inspirations, in which I am constantly amazed and astounded by the natural world around me, and I seek to glorify it in my artwork.
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As an African American mosaic artist from a prominent artist family in West Philadelphia, my connection to the community I create for, create with, and represent is rooted in my focus on cultural preservation, restoration, and racial justice. Through community-driven mosaic and ceramic practices, I aim to empower communities by providing a platform for them to share their unique narratives.
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My work is deeply informed by the experiences of the community. Their stories, struggles, and aspirations shape my artistic approach and the messages conveyed through my art. By actively engaging community members in my creative process, I ensure that their voices are heard, and their perspectives are authentically represented.
Notable examples of my work demonstrate this commitment. For instance, conducting a workshop and creating a permanent installation at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) to commemorate MLK Day in March 2023, allowed me to integrate the insights and experiences of the PAFA community, fostering a sense of collective ownership and representation.
Installing the mural titled “Opposing Forces” in Suburban Station in 2021 with the support of Color Me Back Participants provided valuable opportunities to connect with diverse audiences and gain a deeper understanding of their experiences. These interactions influenced my artistic approach and further fueled my commitment to social change and cultural preservation.
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Facilitating mosaic workshops and installations at Bartram’s Garden allowed me to directly engage with the community. These endeavors empowered individuals, facilitated meaningful connections, and contributed to positive social change through art.
In summary, my connection to the community I create for, create with, and represent is driven by my dedication to cultural preservation, restoration, and racial justice. By integrating the community’s experiences into my artwork and actively involving them in the creative process, I empower individuals, promote social change, and foster meaningful connections through Art.
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Editor’s Note: Ellen Tiberino will be exhibiting in September at Ultra Silk Gallery, 3808 Lancaster Avenue, Philadelphia, and will run until the first week in October. The opening will be from 5 to 8 PM on Friday, September 8th. For details contact: UltraSilkgallery@gmail.com, and the phone number is 215-824-6656.
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The theme of the show is empowering women, the strength of women. Ellen will be exhibiting works along side seven female artists including her mother, Ellen Powell Tiberino.
