Biography
Viola was born and raised in Buffalo NY, and received his Fine Arts, BA and MA degrees in higher education from Niagara Community College and SUNY College at Buffalo. Shortly after graduation from SUNY College at Buffalo, Viola received a position at the Albright Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo NY as an art administrator and educator in the Education Department. His tenure spanned the years from 1975 to 1984, where he was successfully granted two major Comprehensive Employment and Training Act Grants. Viola's years at the Albright Knox were invaluable as an artist and educator, as they were the first time he lived and produced art daily.
Viola relocated to Central New York in 1985 where he remained in the non profit museum field, taking a position of Executive Director of the Children’s Museum in Utica, NY. As the Director, he was instrumental in developing new education programs and exhibitions. During this time, he also taught as an adjunct professor at Syracuse University and Herkimer Community College teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in museum management. Then, in 1992 Viola began his employment with the Utica City School District as an Art Instructor for 20 years, and retired in 2012.
Viola relocated to Central New York in 1985 where he remained in the non profit museum field, taking a position of Executive Director of the Children’s Museum in Utica, NY. As the Director, he was instrumental in developing new education programs and exhibitions. During this time, he also taught as an adjunct professor at Syracuse University and Herkimer Community College teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in museum management. Then, in 1992 Viola began his employment with the Utica City School District as an Art Instructor for 20 years, and retired in 2012.
Artist Statement
Working simultaneously as an art administrator and educator I have been a practicing artist for over 50 years.
Throughout my career as an artist , my creative endeavors have spanned many contemporary movements; pop art, op art, hard edge, geometric abstraction, minimal, conceptual, etc. All of which have influenced my work and creativity to some degree. I find myself compelled to explore and experiment with different materials and found objects.
Trying to define or describe my work is virtually impossible. Throughout my career I did not wish to be pigeon holed as an artist. I always wanted the freedom to explore new ideas and techniques. As such my body of work is incredibly diverse, including paintings, collages, sculpture mixed media , and photography. Through the years I have exhibited extensively and have won numerous awards.
Retirement allows me the luxury of working in my studio and on my art daily.
Throughout my career as an artist , my creative endeavors have spanned many contemporary movements; pop art, op art, hard edge, geometric abstraction, minimal, conceptual, etc. All of which have influenced my work and creativity to some degree. I find myself compelled to explore and experiment with different materials and found objects.
Trying to define or describe my work is virtually impossible. Throughout my career I did not wish to be pigeon holed as an artist. I always wanted the freedom to explore new ideas and techniques. As such my body of work is incredibly diverse, including paintings, collages, sculpture mixed media , and photography. Through the years I have exhibited extensively and have won numerous awards.
Retirement allows me the luxury of working in my studio and on my art daily.
