Supporting and Promoting Inclusion in the Arts Since 2005

Remembering Alison Mantione

It is with a heavy heart, that the Starlight Studio and Art Gallery Program of the Learning Disabilities Association of WNY must say good bye to one of its star artists, Alison Mantione.  

With an eye to perfection, Alison had a focused approach to her art making. Turtles, animals, and nature imagery were the primary subject matter of her methodical creations. Her artwork evoked emotion and asked the spectator to take a closer look.  

Alison joined Starlight Studio and Art Gallery in 2008. “I think I can be a perfectionist in my art making… I like to take my time when I make my art. It’s important to me to use the right colors and shapes to have things come out the way I like”. One of the highlights of Alison’s time at Starlight Studio included her work in the afterschool arts program called AIM, Arts Instruction Mentoring, where she helped to facilitate artmaking with youth. She learned to research lesson plans, manage art supplies, and teach projects. “I feel like the mentoring program is helping me manage my time and feel more accomplished. This makes me feel really good about myself”.  “My sense of liking things to be ‘just so’ has helped me to have patience with the kids, because I have learned things take time.” 
 

Along with the exacting drawings and paintings that Alison created, she also was a collector of objects that she found while walking through the city neighborhood where Starlight Studio is located (“her second home” as her Mom referred to Starlight Studio). 
 

In March 2018, as part of its Side by Each exhibition series, Starlight Studio was proud to organize and host an exhibit of Alison and the Buffalo artist, Marc Tomko’s, artwork which showcased their respective collections of found objects.  As the exhibition curator wrote, “the two artists collect for reasons both habitual and creative. Alison Mantione collects from the world around her seemingly indiscriminately: broken jewelry, discarded packaging, pins, bottle caps, a damaged license plate, broken bike parts, and more, all from the proverbial discard bin of gutters, yards and sidewalks. The found objects are organized by date-discovered, placed in bags or other containers, and labeled in Mantione's idiosyncratic handwriting that is as much flourish as it is text."
 

Alison was a singular artist and human being. Her motivation was peace and understanding.   

She was a free spirit and a loyal friend to all – sensitive to the under-dogs of this world. Alison hoped that her artwork reflected her dedication to improving this world by inspiring others to create peaceful nonjudgmental attitudes. Her openness, curiosity, humor, acceptance, generosity, and glitter will live on in Starlight Studio’s institutional memory. 

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https://www.amigone.com/obituaries/obituary-listings?obId=19726369