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Sheila Goloborotko, “The Way We Connect,” Relief, 16” x 20”, 2009.Sheila Goloborotko, a native of Sao Paolo, Brazil, came to the United States in 1983. In 1989, she launched Goloborotko Studio in the then-desolate neighborhood of Dumbo. Grounded in a Latin American tradition of printmaking, the studio’s philosophy is centered on an ethic of community building. “Printmaking is a democratic medium. It’s a people’s medium,” Ms. Goloborotko said. “It has helped revolutions happen.”
This December the studio will celebrate its 20th year in business with the release of an anniversary edition of prints by 13 artists, six of whom are members and/or supporters of SONYA, Fort Greene/Clinton Hill’s neighborhood art association.
In search of studio space after completing an MFA from Brooklyn College in 1985, Ms. Goloborotko realized that in New York City, most artists work alone. “I decided,” she said, “if I opened a studio other artists would come and work with me. Then I created this playground, so artists started coming.”
Sheila Goloborotko.With an emphasis on freedom in the creative process, the studio was always, and continues to be, open to all levels of printmakers — even those unfamiliar with art-making in any context. “I became the collaborator who could translate an idea and put it into a print format,” Ms. Goloborotko said.
On the Local
Diana McClure
Diana McClure is a writer, photographer and founder of Cultureserve.net, based in the Fort Greene-Clinton Hill area since 1994. She has written for Art Asia Pacific, STUDIO: The Studio Museum in Harlem magazine, UPTOWN and more.
Through her work as an artist-in-residence throughout Brooklyn, Ms. Goloborotko’s studio clientele grew steadily, and she met one of the founding members of SONYA, GG Stankiewicz/. From there, a series of workshops were developed for SONYA members and a decade-long relationship with the organization blossomed. As a result, GG, Ms. Goloborotko, Kathleen Hayek, Tami Gold, Mary Change and Ramona Candy, all SONYA members, are represented in the Goloborotko Studio 20th Anniversary Edition.
There is a worktable that stands in the center of the Goloborotko Studio, now based on Creamer Street in Red Hook, that Ms. Goloborotko said represents, “a meeting of the minds.” It is also a table where artist Tami Gold says she was told to go to for healing, after a hand accident, by fellow SONYA artist and founder Kathleen Hayek. Ms. Hayek’s message was that the level of warmth, conversation and camaraderie cultivated over many years in the studio would act as a soothing balm for Ms. Gold’s artistry and hands.
Tami Gold, “Always on Sundays,” photo etching, 16” x 20”, 2009.This personal bonding in the studio amongst artists translates to a larger context, Ms. Goloborotko said. “What else is there if I don’t create community?” she asked. “We can’t progress as far as we could if we don’t live in a community. Progress comes from evolving together. It’s fundamental.” Ms. Goloborotko added: “It’s a very Latin American thought. I think it’s based in our experience that community can organize for change.”
The creative process involved in printmaking also underscores a communal approach to life in its execution. It requires thinking about all the pieces that make a whole, and in this case all the distinct layers and colors that ultimately create a final print. Ms. Gold described it as “a deconstruction and then a re-construction. You re-assemble in a different order and get a whole new thing” — a technique Ms. Gold said could apply to life as well.
Kathleen Hayek, “Revelation,” etching and chine-collé, 20” x 16”, 2009.Of great concern to many artists, including Ms. Gold and Ms. Goloborotko, is the idea that we live in a society that does not see art as essential, a society that undervalues creativity as an expression of passion and love. Despite these concerns, when asked why she decided to stay in America, Ms. Goloborotko said, “I decided to stay because there is so much to learn and to do. New York City is very functionalist. Why am I doing this? In a functionalist society you will learn a lot and the combination of functionalism and community can take you far.”
The Goloborotko Studio 20th Anniversary Edition will debut next Thursday, Dec. 10, at Tabla Rasa gallery, 228 48th Street in Sunset Park, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. For more information on workshops or to purchase the Goloborotko Studio 20th Anniversary Edition of 13 numbered and signed 20” x 16” original prints, click here.
15 Comments
What a wonderful and accurate article on the living spirit of a truly great artist that inspires others to reach beyond self-imposed limits on what can be accomplished. Sheila is my neighbor in the small upstate area of Hancock, NY and she has helped to bring a new life and breath to many of us who live in the area. If you have not seen her work, you need to put a visit to her studio on your must do list.
— Tom & Louise ClevelandGreat article on my colleague Sheila. I congratulate you and look forward to visiting your new studio and collaborate with you on new projects!
— Julio ValdezSheila as I reflect on this journey of participating in the portfolio celebrating 20 years of Goloborotko Studio I am reminded of the moment I shared with you 6 years ago an image of one of my paintings it was at this moment you had the foresight and vision to push my creative boundaries and voice to embrace the printmaking medium and language. It has been a remarkable journey and more.
— gg stankiewiczCongratulations for the Anniversary Sheila! I am happy to know that you will come to Sao Paulo with your studio! Roberta
— Roberta SaraivaCongratulations, Sheila, from Robert Stark and Elizabeth Blaisdell in Albuquerque.
— Robert StarkHope to see you in the new year.
Deat Sheila,
Goloborotko’s Studio and Sheila Goloborotko leave me filled, they energy, the purity and the creative channel of connection to myself, the work my fellow artist and the magic of transport to the creative inhale and exhale of trust cannot be describe, only experienced.
It is a place where artist can live, and breath amongst each other. The tribe begins to understand . We are the connection. ,,we are the art and the work is born.
Congratulations for continuing the journey. I honor all that I have experience and look forward to continue new exchanges. Congratulations!
Mary Chang
— Mary ChangCongratulations, She. Beautiful article … .. We are looking forward to your arrival in Brazil.
— Shirley NudelI have the privilege of knowing Sheila for many years since our participation in the Women’s Portfolio of Brooklyn College in 1990. Four years ago I reconnected with Sheila and began coming to her studio making monoprints and now am part of the 20th Anniversary Edition. My husband Robert Golden became inspired by the good energy and creative spirit of Sheila’s studio and became part of Sheila’s group of working artists and is also in the portfolio. So for us Sheila and her studio has become a family affair. We are so appreciative of time we spend with Sheila and of her dedication and sharing her wealth of experience with us. We want to congratulate her on 20 successful years of Goloborotko Studio’s. We look forward to 20 more years of “pushing the boundaries” and making prints to Brazilian music.
Pearl Rosen and Robert Golden
— Pearl RosenWorking with Sheila is to experience freedom and risk-taking, while making beautiful and courageous art! When I was introduced to Sheila a little over two years ago, little did I know I would become an eager apostle of printmaking. Sheila leads with a spirit that soothes, encourages, rejuvenates and connects. In the atmosphere she creates, artists working together in the studio can’t help but learn from each other, share and grow. Each unique quality — of personality, process and finished work — partnered with other unique qualities around the work table and printing press equals the spirit and forte that is Goloborotko Studio.
To all the portfolio artists – I am honored to be in your company and to Sheila, congratulations on 20 years!!!!
— Ramona CandySheila-Your cousins(my wife Jeanne and me),congratulates you for the 20th Anniversary of Goloborotko’s Studio,and are really proud of having a Real Artist in the Family,dedicated not only for herself,but spreading her light ,creativity, and friendship to the whole American/Latin America and hopefuly to the whole world.
— YOUSSEF(JEFF) FISSHer hard work over decades should be an example for all
childhood who would like to become artists(painting,printmaking and sculturing), and sharing their creativity and education, bringing peace ,wealth and illumination for a better humankind(with a small effort” yes we can” convert the planet in a place worth living to our next generation).
Sheila go ahead and share your happiness with everybody.God bless you and give you long life!! Baruch Hashem and happy Chanuká
As a freshly immigrated artist in 2001, the first time I set foot in Goloborotko Studio, then in Dumbo, I fell victim of its spell.
— Ana BianchiThe smell of ink, or the sturdy beauty of the printing presses my have helped but it was Sheila, with her bigger-than-life personality that definitely waved the magic wand on me. I looked at her prints and not only did I buy one (my first art acquisition ever) but I came back two days later and started producing my own artwork there.
Through the years she has always been a guiding light for me in the printmaking world. Always able to help me improve my own technique and question my own artwork for the better. She is pliable enough to let any of the studio artist work our individual styles for the better, and tough enough to help us learn about producing impeccable results.
As an artist she is remarkable, as a teacher she is the best. Added bonus: the studio is fun, highly-productive and has great Brazilian music blasting as you work.
Having known Sheila for over 20 years, I´ve been witness to her vast accomplishments and to her development as an artist. Her studio has always been the focal point for many artists and friends. Congratulations on your 20th anniversary and on being able to put together such a magnificent portfolio, representative of your talent, success and your ability to share with us, those pieces that are worthy of carrying the Goloborotko Studio logo. You are always present in my daily life either at home or the office. We all look forward to 20+ years of your reaching out to your family, friends and to those that have still to be enthralled by your talent and warmth.
— R.RamosDear Sheila,
Congratulations. I couldn’t be present at the Museu Lasar Segall this semester, but I hope I’ll be seeing you the next.
Solange Schmidt Teixeira
— solange schmidt teixeiraCongratulations to Sheila and Goloborotko’s Studio on the twentieth anniversary. As her friend and framer these many years I have had the honor to view and frame much of her work.
In celebration of this momentous occasion The Other Moose Custom Framing is offering a 20% discount to anyone who mentions the Goloborotko’s Studio 20tth anniversary. http://www.theothermoose.net
— Alvin EpsteinCLASSES WITH SHEILA
She is short, but seems tall. She has a gift that encourages each student to excel, each in his/her own way. Three hours of learning the art of printmaking seem like one. Sheila Goloborotko has been conducting workshops over the past month in different techniques of printmaking. I have attended all and there is a progression of learning accompanied by Sheila’s humor, encouragement, sharing of her personal philosophy and personal life experience. It all contributes to each student, new or very accomplished, becoming something different when he/she leaves at the end of the day. She has a way of pulling the best out of each and building an experience of collaboration among us all. At the end of the day there is a sense of Community with each member finding an individual voice with some new expertise.
Thank you, Sheila.
Submitted by Kit Burnham-Ashman
— Kit Burnham-Ashman