A photograph of an empty kitchen provided the inspiration for a favorite painting by York College of Pennsylvania Fine Art alumna Allison Juliana ’10. The kitchen, depicted in the painting in bold-colored, soft-edged shapes melded in flowing orange panes, belonged to her grandparents. When she began working on the painting a few years after graduation from York College, Juliana had just helped to clean out their house as they transitioned to a nursing home.
Over the empty kitchen, Juliana layered a birthday party with blue crayon-shaped cups that seem to dance across the canvas. The cups were a staple of many birthday celebrations at her grandparents’ house over the years, until they could no longer take care of the property. The piece symbolizes the reshaping of joy and nostalgia in a space that had once been filled with family gatherings.
“I wanted to show the evolution of the joy we had in that space in contrast to it now being vacant,” Juliana says.
Embodying memories
Many of Juliana’s paintings pay homage to people, places, and pets that have left an imprint on her memories. Her subjects are depicted in flowing patterns and colorful shapes meant to be open to interpretation. Her personal and emotional connection to her subjects creates deeply resonant artwork.
“I like to create images that aren’t realistic. I like to create an image where you may not see what I’m intending at first. Maybe you can see something else that I wasn’t intending,” she says. “I feel like our memories change over time, so in my work, the shapes and colors all flow together to show movement.”
Known for her captivating use of color and movement, Juliana’s work has been showcased in juried exhibitions across the region and nationally. Shortly after she graduated from York College, her work was selected for the prestigious Art of the State exhibition at The State Museum of Pennsylvania. She has exhibited at shows and galleries throughout Pennsylvania and beyond.
An early passion for art
Juliana has nurtured a passion for art for as long as she can remember. At age 4, she declared her dream of becoming an artist. Throughout high school, she took every art class she could fit into her schedule. When it came time to choose a college, Juliana, who graduated from Red Land High School in Lewisberry, discovered that York College was within commuting distance and had a well-regarded Fine Art program.
“In art, you’re presented with problems that don’t necessarily have clear answers,” she says. “At York College, the professors were great, and I was able to enhance my skills and develop my problem-solving abilities.”
Learning from others and approaching problems from different angles were key not only to her artistic growth but her development as a community leader willing to think outside the box.
During her senior painting class, Juliana found her true artistic voice, and she was able to create a cohesive portfolio of work. From that work evolved her signature style, marked by bold colors and a distinctive use of movement aimed at capturing the elusive, dreamlike quality of shifting memories.
Life beyond the canvas
In addition to producing artwork, Juliana has devoted the last eight years to teaching art to young students through various organizations, including the Art Association of Harrisburg, West Shore Recreation, and Camp Hill Parks and Recreation. Her work with children has not only helped inspire her creativity but has given her the opportunity to witness the power of art in her students’ lives.
“I love seeing kids come out of their shells and connect with like-minded peers,” she says.
Juliana serves as board president of the Perry County Council of the Arts, where she fosters community engagement through the arts. She also helps with fundraising efforts and oversees the creation of arts programs. While her responsibilities at PCCA are more focused on administration than her art, she finds the work equally rewarding.
Juliana holds an Arts in Health certification and hopes to use art in hospitals and other healthcare facilities to bring about healing through the visual arts.
“Art brings people together and gives them opportunities to express themselves in ways they otherwise can’t. There are so many opportunities to help people through art,” she says.
Encouraging aspiring artists
Juliana encourages students considering the Fine Art major at York College to go for it, but with a caveat: Keep an open mind about employment opportunities.
“You may not find exactly what you’re looking for right away, but you can create your own opportunities,” she says.
Juliana continues to push her boundaries as an artist. She’s working on a portrait of her 100-year-old grandmother, layering images and memories gleaned from a century of photographs. She hopes to submit the piece to the Art of the State exhibition in 2025.
Whether through teaching, her artwork, or community involvement, Juliana has carved out a meaningful and fulfilling career.
“Once you earn the degree, keep an open mind and you can create your own path,” she says. “It doesn’t have to be the same one someone else has taken.”
