61st Annual Sierra Madre Art Fair Featured Artist
The Friends of the Sierra Madre Public Library are proud to announce that the Featured Artist for the 61st Annual Sierra Madre Art Fair is Lilia Venier.
I started to work with clay twenty-four years ago, and it has been the most wonderful experience of my life. I was born and raised in Mexico, but I have been living in the United States for the last thirty years. I earned my certificate in International Business at Glendale College in California. This certificate is related to the Business Administration degree I earned in Mexico. During the summer of 1998, I took a design class, just to see if I had any talent in this area. I found the class to be exciting. Seeing my new-found passion, my teacher encouraged me to take more art classes; I chose ceramics.
Ceramics has given me the opportunity to express my ideas and creativity in a different way. Color and texture were a part of my everyday experiences growing up; this background is reflected in my work. I developed a technique where I can use both color and texture in my art design. Being surrounded by folk art inspired me to convey a story through my pieces in a contemporary way. Every creation represents things that are important to me such as family, friends, nature and traveling. Using the skills of throwing, hand building, carving and painting, I achieve my vibrant and whimsical designs. My pieces are one of a kind. They bring happiness and a sense of wonder to any home or business. My ceramic art is a must for any avid art collector.
I started to learn about pottery as a hobby, but today it is the way that I express myself to the world. Many of my pieces are in galleries and private collections in the United States, Canada, Germany, England, Japan, Singapore, and Thailand. In addition, I enjoy participating in various Southern California art festivals which allows me to connect personally with ceramic art lovers.
This year’s Art Fair is being held in Memorial Park on Saturday, May 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, May 3 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Lilia’s ceramic piece “Abby and Her Bunny” will appear on all postcards, posters, flyers and other promotional materials. Be sure and stop by her Booth #24 to admire and purchase her inspiring creations.