About

PHILOSOPHY
Life's stories plant seeds in my mind, take shape in my soul, and are born through my sculptures.
SEE ALSO
Personal Statement
My hands coax form from raw matter, imbuing each piece with a sense of presence and narrative. The gentle curve of a spine, the watchful gaze of an animal's eye, the subtle tension in a leaning figure - these details become the vocabulary of my storytelling. Also, the occasional happy accident creates unexpected humanity. Whether exploring the quiet dignity of a solitary creature or the dynamic interplay between human and animal, my sculptures aim to evoke empathy and spark contemplation.
Rooted in the landscapes and rhythms of coastal Rhode Island, my work often reflects the textures and spirit of this place. The weathered surfaces and organic forms I embrace echo the ebb and flow of the tides and the enduring strength of the natural world. Ultimately, my sculptures are an invitation to pause, to observe, and to listen to the silent narratives that surround us, rendered tangible in three dimensions.
Biography
Serena pursued formal education in the arts, studying traditional figure painting and anatomy at the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts in Connecticut and the Rhode Island School of Design. She honed her skills under the guidance of esteemed sculptors such as Elizabeth Gordon Chandler, Laci deGerenday, and Don Gale, as well as painters like Aaron Shikler and Dean Keller. This classical training provided her with a strong foundation, which she later combined with her unique artistic vision.
Serena's work is characterized by its narrative quality and emotional depth. She describes herself as a storyteller, using her sculptures to bring life's stories to life. Her pieces often feature animals, both domestic and marine, as well as whimsical and fantastical elements. For example, her sculpture "My Precious" pays homage to Gollum from "The Lord of the Rings," while "Sirena and Octavius" depicts a mermaid in conversation with an octopus. These works invite viewers to engage their imaginations and create their own interpretations of the stories behind the art.
Serena's approach to sculpting is deeply intuitive. She relies on her keen sense of observation and connection to her subjects rather than traditional measurements. This method imbues her work with a sense of vitality and authenticity, often described as "wabi-sabi," a Japanese aesthetic that finds beauty in imperfection.
Throughout her career, Serena has received numerous accolades and exhibited her work in prestigious galleries and exhibitions across the United States and Canada. She is a member of several esteemed organizations, including the National Sculpture Society, the American Society of Marine Artists, and the Salmagundi Club. Her sculptures can be found in private collections nationwide, a testament to her enduring impact on the art world.
Serena's studio is located in Westerly, Rhode Island, where she continues to create and share her visions with the world. Her dedication to her craft and her ability to connect with audiences through her art have solidified her reputation as a masterful sculptor and storyteller.
Memberships & Affiliations
Academic Artists Association, Springfield, MA
Allied Artists of America, NY, NY
American Artists Professional League, NY, NY
American Society of Marine Artists, St Louis, MO
Artists for Conservation, Signature Member
Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club, NY, NY
Connecticut Academy of Fine Artists, CT
Copley Society of Art, Boston, MA
Deerfield Valley Art Association, Northfield, MA
Florence Griswold Museum, Old Lyme, CT
Hygienic Art Gallery, New London, CT
Lemon Tree Gallery & Studio, Cape Ann, VA
Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts, Old Lyme, CT
Lyme Art Association, 90 Lyme St., Old Lyme, CT
Marquee Gallery, New London, CT
MASS MoCA, North Adams, MA
National Sculpture Society, NY, NY
Salmagundi Club, NY, NY
Society of Connecticut Sculptors, CT
Threadneedle Gallery, Newburyport, MA
Collections
Andrea Restaurant, Misquamicut, RI
Children's Museum of Southeastern CT
Don Mann, SEAL Team SIX Commando & NY Times Best Selling Author
Great Lodge at Arctic Watch, Somerset Island, Nunavut
Ledyard Police Department, Ledyard, CT
Mystic Marriott, Groton, CT
Ocean House Resort, Watch Hill, RI
Pequotsepos Nature Center, Mystic, CT
Pfizer Chemical, Groton, CT
Pleasant View Restaurant, Misquamicut, RI
Private Collections throughout the Northeast, England and Ireland
Raiche Realty, Westerly, RI
Renovations to Rentals, Westerly, RI
Salmagundi Club
Westerly Animal Hospital, Westerly, RI
Westerly Animal Shelter, Westerly, RI
Westerly Public Library, Westerly, RI
Zoe & Co. Lingerie, Westerly, RI
Education
LYME ACADEMY COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS
OLD LYME, CT 1985 - 1995
CONCENTRATION IN FIGURE DRAWING, PAINTING, ANATOMY AND SCULPTURE
RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN
PROVIDENCE, RI 1990 FRAMING
SMOOTH ON INDUSTRIES
EASTON, PA FEB 2002
MOLD MAKING AND RESIN CASTING
KANE SCULPTURE STUDIO & FOUNDRY
PAWTUCKET RI 2005 - 2008
INTERNSHIP FOCUSING ON MOLD MAKING, WAX WORK FOR LOST WAX CASTING AND PATINATION
SOUTH COUNTY ART ASSOCIATION
N. KINGSTOWN RI 2015 - 2017
CONCENTRATION IN CERAMIC SCULPTURE AND ALTERNATIVE FIRING METHODS
Awards
Earthworks 52
nd
Open Juried Clay Annual
Apr 17 - May 10, 2025
South County Art Association
Kingston, RI
Juror: David Swenson
Award: Second Place, "Amun Ra"
82nd Annual Audubon
Online Exhibition
Dec 1, 2024 - Dec 1, 2025
Audubon Artists Inc.
audubonartists.org
Juror: Jeffrey Wechler
Award: Audubon Artists Gold Medal of Honor for Sculpture
127th Anniversary Open
Juried Exhibition
Nov 28 - Dec 7, 2024
Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club
Jurors: Jeffrey Spring, Modern Foundry; Janice Mauro, Sculptor
Award: Joseph Beardsley Sandor Charlotte Dunwiddie Memorial Award for "Joyful Ellie"
View all Awards
Exhibitions
American Society Of Marine Artists 2025 Art Of The Sea
Sponsored by National Maritime Historical Society & American
Society of Marine Artists
Jun 1 - Jul 1, 2025
On-line @
seahistory.org/artofthesea2025
CT Women Artists 2025 National Open Juried Exhibition
May 27 - Jul 27,2025
William Benton Museum of Art
University of CT, Storrs CT
Juror: Deanna Fitzgerald, Dean of The School of Fine Arts, University of Connecticut
Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Members & Associates Exhibition
May 6 - Jun 21,2025
On-Line @ clwac.org
Juror: Debra Nadelhoffer, UPA, AIS, ASMA, SEPS
View all Exhibitions
Teaching
MY STUDIO
GROUP AND PRIVATE LESSONS IN OIL, PASTEL, DRAWING, SCULPTURE AND MOLDMAKING
MYSTIC MARINELIFE AQUARIUM
MYSTIC, CT
MYSTIC MUSEUM OF ART
MYSTIC, CT
HOPE VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
HOPE VALLEY, RI