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People On The Move - Kyle Galante
10/27/2009 - By Chad A. Safran
CREATING ART TO HELP OTHERS
Holmdel’s 9-11 Memorial is a stirring piece of art. Its outstretched hands echo so many feelings that the tragedy engraved into the hearts and souls of the town’s residents, and it’s something that local artist Kyle Galante knew she needed to do as her way of helping Holmdel remember those who lost their lives that day.
“I came up with the design for it, and it was more like a vision…or a dream,” says Kyle. She donated all her time and materials for the project, which took 3 months to complete. The memorial was finally dedicated in September 2004. “I knew it was the right thing to do. I felt that if I could use my gift to serve others, that’s what I am really here for.”
It’s not just the memorial that she has donated. Since moving to Holmdel 17 years ago, Kyle has always provided her art to help local and national charities. “I am happy to give them a painting to raise money,” says Kyle, whose ancestors were passengers on the Mayflower. “I probably give away between 8 and 12 pieces a year.” She was also the founder of “Art to the Rescue,” which was an art show that raised funds for victims of the World Trade Center attacks.
Growing up in Staten Island, Kyle always had an interest in art, and often drew on slate with a stick, using water as her paint. At age 12 she participated in an art exchange program with Russia that was sponsored by the United Nations. However, it was not until after graduating from Cedar Crest College in Allentown, Pennsylvania, (as a psychology major certified to teach elementary school) that she pursued a career in art. This was after her father rejected her idea of becoming fluent in Spanish and teaching in Harlem. In the time since, Kyle has had her work shown in galleries in New York City, Paris, Nice, and Belgium.
“Doing art brings me to another place, but even more so, it brings beauty into my life,” says Kyle. “I love it.” Kyle has worked with many styles and types of art over her career, starting with water colors, which she used for 12 years. Her next venture was oils, doing mostly florals and landscapes. She paints outside (known as plein air painting) and at her in-home studio. She also sculpts, and more recently began using her skills to create jewelry.
Her creative inspiration comes from a variety of sources. One day it might be just being outdoors, taking in nature; another time it may arise from studying a great artist’s work; and sometimes it’s just a vision, something on which Kyle is currently trying to focus. “If I see something, visualize something, or see something in a dream, I am trying to sketch that and go from there.”
Art is not merely an individual effort for Kyle. In 2000, she and three friends formed “Pomegranate.” The women met and painted on one canvas. They would actually paint over each other’s work during the time they were together. Then they took the paintings and had an auction to raise money for charity. The group now ranges from six to eight women during each monthly get-together; however, instead of working on one project together, they each start their own canvas and pass it along to another member after 10 minutes. “It opens up your creativity like crazy,” says Kyle.
It is not just art that fills Kyle’s time. She spends time with her husband of 28 years, Anthony, and her three daughters. She also likes to run, teaches eighth grade religious education at St. Catharine’s Church in Holmdel, and is involved with the Bayonet Farm Art & Music Festival. This past year, Kyle began pursuing a master’s degree in theology through the Diocese of Trenton, with the goal of combining theology and art.
Kyle would like to create more memorials or other works of art that help people feel at peace, but has even grander plans than that. She says, “If I really think big, I would like to design buildings. I am a big thinker.”
STATS
FAVORITE RESTAURANTS
Daniel, New York City
FAVORITE MUSIC
soft rock and hymns
FAVORITE MOVIES
Sound of Music and Out of Africa
PET PEEVE
people who don’t keep promises
THREE PEOPLE YOU’D LIKE TO HAVE DINNER WITH
Pope Benedict XVI, Michelangelo, and Thomas Jefferson
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