June 5, 2012
On June 2, 2012, Sidney Ann Pitchford was invited to judge an art show at The Galleria in the Villages, Florida. The show consisted of 48 paintings in various medias to be judged as one category. The awards given were: First Place, Second Place, Third Place, three Merit Awards, and three-five Honorable Mention Awards.
Sidney was very thorough in her assessment of each picture and awarded the honors with thoughtfulness and sensitivity, using her many years of expertise as a teacher. She gave a brief critique of each picture, expressing positive qualities for encouragement and helpful suggestions as a learning tool for the artists.
Sidney was very pleasant to work with and was complimented by the committee. We are hopeful that she will be able and willing to judge future shows for us.
Patricia Claunch, Judge Coordinator
The Villages Visual Arts Association
The 46th Founders Juried Awards Exhibition
November 17, 2007 – January 13, 2008
With artwork in 10 media categories, this annual exhibition honors the artists who, in 1954, joined together to form the Naples Art Association.
Exhibition and Awards Juror Sam Gillian chose Sidney Ann Pitchford’s Angel Trumpets, Fish and Lilies as a featured piece in the 46th Founders Juried Awards Exhibition, 2008.
Testimonials
August 28, 2008
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing on behalf of artist Sidney Ann Pitchford regarding her artwork and faculty employment with the Naples Art Association. The Naples Art Association at The Von Liebig Art Center is dedicated to promoting and advancing education, interest and participation in the contemporary visual arts through changing exhibitions of work by emerging and established living artists; outdoor art festivals featuring area, national and international artists; and educational programs for adults and youth. The Art Center, located at 585 Park Street in Naples, Florida, also has a library resource center and gift shop.
As an organization, we are quite impressed with Ms. Pitchford as both an artist and an instructor. As a professional level artist, the technique and medium she uses to create her work is distinctive and unique among her career level peers. Ms. Pitchford has been juried into numerous exhibitions with the Naples Art Association and has been honored with the Featured Artist award at our annual Art in the Park art festival, where she presented her work to the buying public once per month from November through April for many years.
As an instructor, Ms. Pitchford has worked with all ages of our student population. Her experience with teaching students through her private and her expertise regarding supplies as a result of her running her own art store made her an excellently qualified member of our faculty – one that we were proud to present to our exceptionally talented students that range in age from eight to 70.
I would certainly invite Ms. Pitchford to return as a faculty member and would be proud to recommend her as a professional artist and teacher. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need further information.
Sincerely,
Ginamarie Pugliese
Assistant Director
Sidney Ann is an experienced art instructor and has more than a decade of experience teaching students and leading demonstrations, most recently at the Appleton Museum in Ocala, Florida, the prestigious Von Liebig Art Center, and at her own private studio in Naples, Florida. Sidney Ann is now based in Denver, Colorado, is available locally to teach art workshops and lead demonstrations concerning a wide range of topics. For more information on her availability, please contact Sidney Ann directly.
April 20, 2010
Sidney Ann Pitchford guided workshops for the Garage Gallery & Studio in 2009. I use the word “guided”, because she is a gifted artist who not only teaches, but whose skills reach beginner to advanced artists.
She has a deep reservoir of artistic skills, painting skills and a technical understanding of paints, mediums, techniques, brushes and other supplies.
Sidney Ann doesn’t teach from “her way” of painting, but rather works effectively with the multiple painting styles of her students to enhance their originality and individuality. She observes each student thoughtfully, leading them to express something new on their way to being a better artist.
She brings a playfulness and lightness to the artist process, inviting students to move beyond their fears. She creates cohesion among the class members, so they also learn from each other, a gift which endures long after she’s gone.
An experience with Sidney Ann is one which is remembered throughout an artist’s career.
Sincerely,
Barbara Simasko
About Sidney Ann Pitchford
Workshops & Demonstrations
At the age of 12, Sidney Ann moved from her home town of Henderson, Kentucky, to Evansville, Indiana. This is where she grew up and received her education.
Drawing, painting, and the desire to be creative has always been a part of her life. Sidney remembers with great pride a piece of her artwork that was chosen to hang in the hall of fame at her high school (Central High School) in Evansville, Indiana. It was wonderful to receive recognition from her teachers and fellow comrades. The experience of this success was a big motivation for her to continue with art as a career.
As a child, she was blessed with many gifts: art, music, dance and modeling. Growing up, it was difficult to decide what direction the arts should take her. At the age of 22, Sidney became a professional singer and entertainer. She performed on several major cruise lines and in many show rooms throughout the United States. The income from her performances helped to pay for her art education. Sidney Ann attended the University of Evansville and Indiana State University where she majored in The Fine Arts.
The music business eventually brought Sidney Ann to Naples. The beauty and artistic charm enticed her to stay. After performing in Naples, Florida, as a singer, entertainer and song writer for approximately 13 years, Sidney is now pursuing her art as a career. Music will always be important to Sidney. Her many years as a performer have only enhanced her whimsical, heartfelt style.
Her use of color in her paintings expresses excitement. They are captivating, bold, beautiful and powerful. Her paintings flow with whimsy and heart. Give her a large canvas, as she likes to paint in a big way. She is extremely versatile and enjoys a variety of different subject matters.
As Sidney would say to her fellow artisans, “Find the time to paint and create, as this is a part of the artist soul. Our souls need nourishment, and that is the art of expressing one’s self.”
Happy Painting!