Deborah Beck

Deborah Beck
Peekskill, NY, USA
Collage, Drawing, Painting, Printmaking
English, French
Adult Day Care, After School Program, College/University, Arts/Cultural Organizations, K-12 Schools
I earned a BA with Honors in Fine Arts from Brandeis University, receiving a special departmental first prize award in painting, and an MA in Art Education from New York University. An inveterate world traveler, I have been inspired by numerous global voyages, as well as my love of nature. These give me constant renewal, taking my art to new heights. I maintain memberships at such prestigious art organizations as the National Association of Women Artists, Katonah Museum Artists' Association, Women in the Arts Foundation and New York Artists Equity Association.

I exhibit extensively in both solo and group shows in museums and galleries in the United States, most recently participating in "Paintings in Oil, Watercolor & Gouache", Hendrick Hudson Library, Montrose, N.Y. (solo show), 2014 and "Celebrating Nature: Paintings by Deborah Beck & Joy Tobin", (2 person show), BRC Gallery at the Bean Runner Cafe, Peekskill, NY, 2012. I’ve taught painting, drawing, and collage to adults including places such as the Blue Door Gallery in Yonkers, NY; Phelps Continuing Day Treatment Program to participants with mental disabilities in Briarcliff Manor, NY; SUNY Cobbleskill in Cobbleskill, NY; and the Creative Center for Women with Cancer in NYC.
I believe in the transformative power of art education for young and old. Through various sequential exercises I teach specific visual art skills to all levels, such as line, shape, color mixing, texture, contrast and composition. After the exercise, the group then proceeds to paint subjects of interest, be they abstract or figurative. Thus each person can use the sequential skills on their own personal "art journey". In working with older adults, I would encourage communication and sharing between class members, developing self-confidence, fostering problem solving and use of imagination in a safe environment. As I have a background and experience in theater as an actress, singer and dancer, I sometimes enhance my lessons through inclusions of these techniques for motivation.

I taught art in the New York City Public School for a number of years, where I developed my teaching expertise, including good class management skills. Furthermore, I worked as a drug prevention counselor in said schools, running groups, where I had a great deal of experience with group dynamics. I have taken courses at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden related to working with older adults, and in March 2012 I attended the Lifetime Arts' creative aging artist training offered at ArtsWestchester.