ELIZABETH, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to present an exhibit of paintings by Agnieszka Solawa of Summit in the gallery space at the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, located in the historic St. John’s Parsonage at 633 Pearl Street in Elizabeth. A selection of her work entitled “The Art of Agnieszka Solawa” is on display at the Pearl Street Gallery through June 10. The public is invited to enjoy the exhibit during regular gallery hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.
“The talent and diversity of our county artists assure an inspiring variety of exhibits at the Pearl Street Gallery,” said Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, liaison to the Union County Cultural and Heritage Advisory Board. “We are pleased to display Ms. Solawa’s beautiful paintings.”
Agnieszka Solawa was born in Krakow, Poland, where she grew up surrounded by art. Her mother was an artist, actress and ballerina. Her father was chief architect of the city of Krakow and a professor at Krakow Polytechnic. Agnieszka’s family immigrated to South Africa to escape from communism. She earned a Diploma of Fine Art and a BA in Architecture from the University of Cape Town. While working in Paris, France, she studied Graphic Arts at the “Atelier 17.” She later won a scholarship to study art and Italian language at the University of Urbino in Italy.
In 1987, Agnieszka Solawa moved to the United States and ultimately settled in Summit, New Jersey, with her husband Sam, who also is an architect and photographer. Throughout her career, Agnieszka participated in many exhibitions in Italy, France, South Africa and the United States. Her paintings and photographs are in many private collections. Her recent exhibits include: Solo Exhibition of Photography, Millburn Public Library; Solo Exhibition of Paintings, Westfield Memorial Library; Solo Exhibition of Jewelry, New Providence Memorial Library; “Holy Lives,” Juried Show, Therese A. Maloney Art Gallery, Morristown; and “Seasons,” 3rd Annual Photography Contest, The Donald B. Palmer Museum, Springfield, NJ.
Agnieszka continued her photography and painting while working as an architect/interior designer at Donghia Associates in New York City and later as an architect at the Port Authority. She also is a jewelry designer and a singer. To see her work, visit her website www.solawa.com .
Union County artists (whose works can be hung on a wall) interested in exhibiting in the gallery space are welcome to apply. For more information about the Pearl Street Gallery or other programs, please contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Elizabeth NJ 07202. Free on-site parking is available. Telephone 908-558-2550. NJ Relay users can dial 711. Send E-mail to: culturalinfo@ucnj.org.