Noelle Nevolo Brighton, Massachusetts Award of Excellence $2,000 Age 25

"My paintings document subtleties of the human condition - tiny yet deep moments often overlooked by our society, so fast-paced and stimulated. My work attempts to slow the viewer into a neutral state - more akin to my own speed where rushing, achieving, and competing wane."

At age three or four, Noelle Nevolo was told that her disability (juvenile spinal muscular atrophy) would not allow her to enjoy the physical activities that largely defined the social loves of her peers. She secretively practiced art and excelled, but hid her skill, as she was unconvinced that she might excel at anything. "Regardless of the common belief, 'alone' is positive, liberating - it means that you govern yourself and the internsity (or lack thereof) of your life is entirely up to you." Nevelo has realized over time that she is capable of independence, and solely responsible for the direction her life will take. Drawn to portraits, Nevolo's large-scale paintings render a strong command of the chosen media by capturing the subject in time. "Physical disability forces me to linger. I wait for rides and assistance, for pain to subside. During these times I'm a sponge, absorbing the scenery; people rushing about appearing awefully important. They wear adopted personae, masks that get them through the races in which they participate. Being so slow, I notice. Sometimes the false face withdraws and genuine humanity suffuses the cheeks, animates the gestures. These moments falling outside manmade time are where I encounter what is real to me and so I paint them over and over again." Nevolo recently earned her BFA from Montclair State University in New Jersey.

Influential Art Teachers/Professors:
Alex Picarillo, artist