Teena Stern
BS/Retail & Fashion Design, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, 1956

Teena’s initial career began at age 3 as a dancer when she spent Saturdays in her mom’s studio watching the “big girls” dance. She would eventually become a part of this class herself and at the same time take art classes at the High Museum of Art. The art classes would eventually inspire a career in sculpture. At the age of 21, Teena took over her mother’s role as dance teacher, performed with the Atlanta Civic Ballet, and taught dance at an inner city elementary school. In 1969 the Carl Ratcliff Dance Theatre was formed which consumed Teena’s career for eleven years. In 1978 Teena moved to Washington, D.C. where she began sculpting, studying privately with Lea Feinstein, and taking drawing classes at American University with Robert D’Arista. Continuing her education through workshops across the country, Teena has been sculpting full time since 1980.

Because my work is figurative, much of it speaks for itself. It is more impressionistic than classical, and ranges in size from life-size to pedestal size, to table-top size. My subject matter varies, but is concentrated around the people and the areas I am most familiar with. Although I work in clay most of my sculpture is now cast in bronze. This medium is more readily adaptable to the attenuated forms I often use. I come from a background of dance, so movement, gesture, negative space and design are important elements of my sculpture. I enjoy drawing and the study of human faces. This, along with the use of fabric -- I was a fashion design major -- are also features found in my work. As a whole, my sculpture pulls the viewer in. It is quiet, serene, and gentle. I think this reflects a wish I have for my own life, as well as for the world around me