Dawn DiCicco is no stranger to our Artist-in-Residence program. She was one of the few to hold that distinction in 2022, and we’re pleased to announce that she is one of our 2025 Artists in Residence. Now, as then, her year began with a solo exhibition.
Ms. DiCicco studied fine arts and graphic design at the University of Arizona. In 2011, she began studying lyrical abstract painting with James Kent at the Guild of Creative Art. In 2024, she studied with Grace Graupe Pillard at the Middletown Arts Center in New Jersey.
Ms. DiCicco’s work has been showcased extensively throughout central New Jersey and is regularly juried into prestigious competitions. In 2024, Ms. DiCicco’s work “Krazy Kat” was juried into the Monmouth Arts 2024 Charles Sills Memorial Group Art Exhibit: Terra Incognita (An Unknown Land) by curator George Bates. In 2022, “The Warmth of the Sun” was accepted into the Monmouth Arts “Journey” exhibition at the Pollak Gallery, Monmouth University, in Long Branch, NJ. Her paintings have been accepted into the Monmouth Museum’s annual exhibits in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018. An early achievement was being selected for the New Jersey Emerging Artist Series at the Monmouth Museum for the 2013-2014 season.
Artist Statement
As an abstract artist, my work reflects the natural flow of creativity I’ve nurtured since childhood. My inspiration often comes from nature, but not in a literal or representational way. Instead, I’m captivated by the organic rhythms, subtle textures, and vibrant colors in the world around me. Color is a central element in my work—I choose hues intuitively, drawn to those that resonate with me in the moment. It’s not about telling a specific story; it’s about exploring the emotions and energies that color can evoke.
Texture plays a crucial role, and I often use sgraffito techniques to create depth and complexity. This method lets me scratch through layers of paint, revealing what lies beneath and adding a tactile quality that encourages closer inspection. The contrast between smooth and rough surfaces, along with the vibrant movement of line and form, gives my work its distinctive rhythm.
Ultimately, my art focuses on the process and expression rather than deep philosophical meanings. I paint because it’s how I connect with myself and the world, embracing spontaneity and instinct as my guiding forces.
