Sharon Reed

Teaches at south avenue arts

The daughter of an art teacher, Sharon has been drawing and painting for as long as she can remember. She did not initially pursue a career in art, but instead earned her MBA from Rutgers and pursued a career in business working for GE Capital. Sharon realized she longed for more creative pursuits and left her job to earn a design degree from NYSID. It was there that she resumed creating art and began painting professionally.

After a friend asked her to paint a portrait of their dog, Sharon merged her love for painting with her love for animals and started her art business creating commissioned pet portraits. A pet sitter for ten years, Sharon painted cats, dogs and other animals for her clients.

Committed to bringing art experiences to the community, Sharon serves on the Board of Trustees for the Westfield Art Association and is active in the Contemporary Art Group (CAG). Sharon is the owner of South Avenue Arts — a shared art space in Garwood, NJ where people can take classes, rent studio space, and purchase art.

Sharon's work has been exhibited at the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, The Paper Mill Playhouse, Morris County Arts Council, Starbucks, Westfield Memorial Library, D&R Greenway Land Trust, Gallery U, Swain’s Gallery, Overlook Hospital, Mulberry House, Morris Essex Kennel Club Online Show, Boonton Dog Days of Summer and Watchung Arts Center.