Friends of the Monroeville Public Library welcome the community to Renee Simeone’s art exhibit “Resplendence” from May 1-27 at the Gallery Space during regular library hours. An open reception is set for 6 to 8 p.m. May 2. Some of Simeone’s pieces will be available for purchase, along with tote bags and notebooks she designed.
Simeone’s passion for expression started at a young age. When she was 4, Simeone accompanied her mother, Janice, to the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and was immediately hooked.
“I knew from that time on that I wanted to be a dancer,” the South Side resident said.
Simeone, 26, and her younger sister, Nicole, were homeschooled and heavily exposed to the arts.
“My parents were really focused on education,” she said. “My mom got to be very selective about what we learned.”
Her love of the arts led Simeone to earn her bachelor’s degree in dance performance — in just two and a half years — from La Roche University, which partnered with the contemporary ballet company Bodiography. While dancing and touring internationally, Simeone became fascinated by the beauty in every country she visited: Brazil, Italy, Spain, England and Germany.
A curiosity to capture that elegance developed — not only through movement but also through brushstrokes.
“With dance, you don’t talk. I feel like this is expected with many forms of art; it’s up to the viewer’s interpretation. The movement, the music and how it impacted them, all ties into the mysteriousness of it.”
The first painting Simeone made was for her mom on Mother’s Day in 2020.
“As a self-taught artist, my early paintings were all created with the intention of gifting joy to my family and those closest to me,” Simeone said.
A few years later in 2021, Simeone’s aunt, Tamara Warren, died at 53. Warren, a cellist from Philadelphia, had been a huge influence in Simeone’s life.
“She was the most positive person I ever met. She was so joyful,” Simeone said.
“It really sparked my desire to bring to life her unadulterated appreciation for the vibrant colors surrounding us and really set my painting journey in motion more fully. What better way to carry on how she saw life.”
Simeone uses acrylic paint for her pieces, which generally are based off photos or other artwork. She prefers to sketch figures and re-create images as opposed to coming up with her own idea. Her favorite subject is nature.
Simeone chose the word “resplendence” for her exhibit because of the beauty and magnificence she sees in the world.
“Each of my pieces embodies the resplendence I see in God’s creation as it translates to the canvas,” Simeone said.
Simeone retired from dancing with Bodiography but still teaches twice a week. Because she has a strong faith, Simeone decided to attend ministry school. Her husband, Derrick Izumi, whom she wed in September, is a pastor. They met at La Roche University, and he also danced with Bodiography.
“The rest of life aligned, and I’m ready to step into the next season of life,” Simeone said.
Since retiring, Simeone hopes to focus more on her art.
“Now that I have more time, I would really love to do my artwork full time someday — to still be able to have that artistic expression that I got from dancing,” she said. “Life is too short to be boring. I really hate complacency and not being challenged.”
For details about Simeone and her artwork, visit resplendenceart.square.site.
