Mary Beth Sasso

Memberships

Northwest Connecticut

Arts Council

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New Britain Museum of American Art

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Connecticut Pastel Society

Pastel Society of the

West Coast

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Petaluma Arts Center

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Creative Sonoma

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Luther Burbank Center

for the Arts 
 

Sebastopol Center

for the Arts 

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My art. My love. My peace.

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"My art is a personal journey in which I see the beauty of life whether in a person, animal, place, or object. I am so grateful for my gift and love to share it with others."

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I specialize in painting pastel portraits capturing the true essence of each subject. Each time I start a new painting I experience the purest form of contentment.

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As a young child, I exhibited a strong talent in all areas of art with a natural ability to draw. At age 14, I began studying under the mentorship of Master Pastelist, Claudia Post. For the next 5 years, I was Claudia's teaching assistant during my summers off from school.

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I attended Paier College of Art and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Graphic Design from Central Connecticut State University. Then went on to have a successful career as a graphic designer for over 30+ years. In 2008, I reconnected again with Ms. Post and returned full-time to my fine art roots.

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I'm currently an Adjunct Faculty Instructor of Art at Santa Rosa Junior College. I teach ages 14-98 beginner-level pastel painting and basic drawing skills in private classes as well. I also teach beginner pastel classes at The New Britain Museum of American Art.

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I'm a Certified Teaching Artist through John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. I've taught art at various elementary schools in California as well as Sebastopol Center for the Arts Summer Arts Camp and Petaluma Arts Center. 

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By immersing in creating art the experience allows my students to be in a safe and peaceful place. To forget for a while about the negative events in their lives. This is the most rewarding aspect of teaching. I see the joy in my students' faces of pride when they complete a beautiful piece of art for the first time in their life.

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I'm an RYT200 Yoga Teacher as well. My passion for art and yoga enables me to offer workshops combining art and yoga for the mind, body, and spirit. A meditative and creative experience.