Stephanie Amato began her art education at the Parsons School of Design in NYC where she acquired the basic skills and techniques to begin her creative career. During her art education, Stephanie also obtained a degree as a Graphic Designer. This has given her the knowledge to create work that is strong in both concept and design. Her work is created entirely “Alla Prima” (from life) and evokes an energy, which can only be captured by the immediacy and spontaneity of the moment.
In 2003 Stephanie received her first award from the Tewksbury Historical Society for her pastel “A Garden’s Bounty.” Many exhibitions and top honors have followed since that time. Most recently she received the Salmagundi Club Kent & Helen Coes Award for “Central Park Reflections.” She also received the “2013 Pastel Society of America’s Award for her still life, Oranges, Lemons and Blossoms.” First Place at the 2010 Bayonet Farm Art Festival and “Best In Show” at the 2009 Pastel Society of New Jersey’s Annual Juried Show. Palisades Insurance selected her pastel of “Mount Prospect Elementary School” for their Highway Billboard Installation, which was displayed along Route 202 in Branchburg, NJ and was selected as the cover artist for the 2010 Jerry’s Artarama Catalog, as well as being the featured artist for their online website and email campaigns.
Stephanie has exhibited her work throughout the East Coast and is represented by Studio 7 Art Gallery in Bernardsville and The Marx Gallery of Lambertville. She is a Signature Member of the Pastel Society of New Jersey, a Resident Member of the Salmagundi Club, the American Impressionist Society, Oil Painters of America and the former Lead Coordinator of “The New Jersey Society of en Plein Air Painters” 2009-2011.