Arts on the Square Spotlight: Meet Debra Koval Grippo of Koval Grippo

Debra Koval Grippo makes the most magical jewelry from recycled painting scraps!!! She’s also the current Artist-in-Residence at Moscow Clayworks. Check out our interview with her and watch the video at the end to see her jewelry come to life!

Tell us a little about your creative endeavor and what inspired you to start it.

I started this new jewelry series by accident about 6 months ago. The inspiration came from the edges of paintings that were cut away in order for the finished painting to fit in the mat and be framed for showing. The colors and shapes were so cool on the left over scraps of the paintings, they seemed to take on their own wonderful magic. That's when I decided to recycle these painting scraps and the next thing you know, some wonderful jewelry was created.

Have you always known you were an artist?  What led you to the arts?

Yes, this magic was always there when I was a little kid, I didn't talk much, I was much happier just drawing.  I was deeply devoted to coloring, creating crazy crafts, discovering and carving little things and making a mess on my mom's kitchen table.

We know you are currently the artist-in-residence at Moscow Clayworks. Please share some of your experience with us.  

Being an Artist-in-Residence at Moscow Clayworks is an amazing experience and such a joy to be around so much talented and innovative artists.  It is a very unique and special community based art center and gallery.  I have learned many awesome things from my residency here, but the most profound thing I have learned from the all the Goryl Family members, (owners of Moscow Clayworks), is how important it is to participate, donate and help to your local community.  Their hearts and their philosophy are focused on beautiful positive community events for all ages and that is what makes Moscow Clayworks such a wonderful art center.

What will you be featuring at the Arts on the Square festival?  

Unique one-of-a-kind jewelry

How do you make your studio/work space an inspiring place to be?

By smiling !!

Artist Bio:  
Koval Grippo apprenticed for various artist, expanding the boundaries to include stage design, commercial art, jewelry design and couture fashion.  While working as a young painter, in Washington D.C., Koval was awarded the District of Columbia Arts and Humanities Commission Visual Arts Grant, which allowed Koval to pursue dreams of creating abstract art.
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Koval Grippo’s work has appeared in solo and group shows, film and video productions, and theatrical performances.  Koval Grippo’s paintings and photographs have been exhibited in venues across the United States and Canada.  In 2010, Koval received the NEPA Regional Art Award, an award created by Art School alma mater, Keystone College in collaboration with Marywood University and the University of Scranton.  Koval Grippo is currently the 2013 Artist-in-Residence at Moscow Clayworks Gallery in Moscow, Pennsylvania.  

Koval continues to create, collaborate and produce in San Francisco, California.

Check out this cool video to see her jewelry come to life!

Follow Debra Koval Grippo:

Business Name:   Koval Grippo

Website:  www.kovalgrippo.com

Facebook:  Debra Koval

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