When Angela Lapioli received an email that she won an award through the 2024 “Art of the State” competition, she didn’t know which honor she had received.
“I was thinking, ‘Oh good, I got third place,’” she said.
At the awards ceremony, when the State Museum of Pennsylvania didn’t call her name for third, or even second place, her feeling wasn’t anticipation. It was more a sense of confusion.
“Now, there’s a mistake,” she thought.
Despite her imposter syndrome, it wasn’t a mistake. Lapioli received first place in the painting category—no strings attached—for her work titled “Recovered Pieces.”
“I’m really honored to be in the company of the other local artists in Pennsylvania because the work is just outstanding,” she said of her competition.
Lapioli, who lives in Dauphin County, considers herself a senior artist who is still working to find her personal style. She spent most of her career freelancing as a graphic designer and illustrator, but, these days, she focuses on fine art. Despite having the skill and, sometimes, the interest to do figurative work, she’s known for her abstract work.
“I’m drawn to the process of abstraction because it feels more personal to me than doing something figurative,” she said. “I like the fact that I can do something that’s completely original.”
“Recovered Pieces”
For her abstract paintings and mixed media work, Lapioli’s inspiration stems primarily from nature, but the meaning behind each piece evolves as the creative process continues.
She’ll start with a walk in the woods in Hershey, Mount Joy or other nearby area, and she’ll pick up on colors, shapes, textures and various minutiae that others might overlook. Those pieces go on to spark a new painting, which is fueled further by the emotions Lapioli draws on as she works.
“As I paint, some of the emotions come out, and that’s when I start to develop different imagery,” she said. “It’s subconscious almost, and it just develops into certain forms that are part of me.”
Lapioli is a member of the Art Association of Harrisburg and has a few small pieces in their gallery shop on Front Street, which viewers can also see on the organization’s website. Penn National Insurance bought several of her works for their Harrisburg building, and she has a partnership with the Lebanon Picture Frame & Fine Art Gallery. In the past, Lapioli has had paintings accepted at the Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts at Penn State and in local artist exhibitions at Lebanon Valley College.
Robert Potter, vice president and controller at Penn National Insurance, spearheaded the art and design efforts at the company’s building, a process that included purchasing a range of original art from Lapioli.
“Over the past few years, Penn National Insurance has worked to create a workspace that engages our employees,” Potter said. “When I first reviewed Angela’s art, I was immediately drawn to her choice of various colors, textures and shapes. Her artwork is unique and looks great in our environment, and our employees continue to comment positively as it rotates around our building as part of our permanent collection.”
“As Is” by Angela Lapioli”
Despite all this exposure, it’s only been in the last decade that Lapioli has gotten serious with her fine artwork. While winning an award doesn’t necessarily change how she feels about herself as an artist, it does have its benefits.
“I haven’t had a lot of feedback about my work,” she said.
Now, she doesn’t feel quite like she’s shouting into the creative void, but rather communing with others in a way that makes her feel like she’s on the right path.
“Maybe I’m connecting with somebody out there,” she said.
To Lapioli, one of the most important things is to develop her unique style without sacrificing her intrinsic personality and voice.
“That’s a trap that a lot of artists can get into because they do want to be recognized for their art,” she said.
What she’s learning instead is to stay plugged in to patience.
“If you really stay honed into your own personal expression, eventually your style does develop on its own,” she said. “You have to just be patient with that.”
As that process continues, Lapioli finds excitement in learning new ways to manipulate paint or other mediums and seeing different ways she can make creativity spark. As a now-award-winning artist, that youthful enthusiasm is staying put.
For more information on Angela Lapioli and her artwork, visit her Facebook and Instagram pages, “Fine Art by Angela.” Her work can also be found at the Art Association of Harrisburg and other area galleries.
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