Sheila Schwid
Reflections
December 21, 2025 - March 21, 2026
Happy Warrior Playground
West 98th Street and Amsterdam Avenue
Reflections, by Shelia Schwid, captures layers, perspectives, vibrant color, and refractions of light that construct and deconstruct our New York cityscape.
Schwid is a master painter; her observations of reflections in and through windows precisely depict the city’s chaos, spontaneity, juxtapositions, and surreal beauty. Each moment in her paintings is a convergence of what our senses filter out to make sense of the world: people, places, things, space, light, and, of course, reflection. There is a sensitivity in her rendering of form and light, and an appreciation for the liminal spaces that merge and matte people, objects, and nature.
Her works are also, like free-jazz, liberated abstractions, alive and dynamic. Schwid is a director who creates an order for us; much is recognizable, while other elements reveal new ways of seeing the environment.
Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1932, Schwid moved with her family to Omaha, Nebraska, in 1941. She began studying painting early with local artists, learning the fundamentals of life drawing, landscape, and still life. After earning her B.A. from Omaha University, she continued her studies at the Art Center School in Los Angeles.
She arrived in New York in 1959, just in time to take part in the vibrant 10th Street Galleries scene, where her work appeared in group shows and in Red Grooms’ Happenings. Schwid is the recipient of the 2024 Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Foundation Individual Support Grant. She is represented by AM Partmarket Gallery (Provincetown, MA), Carter Burden Gallery (New York City), Bank Art Gallery (Newburgh, NY), and Westbeth Gallery (New York City).
Virtual Gallery Tour featuring the artist, Sheila Schwid
““Coming Thru” There is a figure here - coming thru the things covering it; the sign in the front and the partial American flag. The figure is strong. For some reason I think it is a woman. The flag is strained. The red stripes change to a rusty color. The figure is disguised yet is still coming forward. The woman will get to where she is going and lead her followers too.” ”
“I Can Wait. I Will Wait.” She is sad -, she is used to waiting, waiting on others. But, while waiting she becomes strong. She is waiting. She can and she will. She is regaining her soul.”
“Inexplicably” He is thoughtful. He is trying to figure out the puzzle. At this point it is inexplicable but he will persist. He may figure it out.”
“Looking Thru” He has a job. He is a mailman. As he lives and works there are many obstacles. These obstacles are caused by others. Wherever he looks he sees obstacles but he looks beyond them. He looks thru them.”
“Inextricably” His black hair has become part of the black profile behind him. They do not know each other. They are not aware of each other. Yet they are inextricably connected. We are all connected. We are just not aware.”
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Not Yet” The man is looking down - he sees the city, far down far away, tiny. He is thinking of joining it, by jumping. He is thinking of suicide. But somehow the joy of the city makes him stop.”
“One or Two” This painting is about identity and point of view. Is it a portrait of two views of one person? or one view of two people? It it is one person he has two points of view - if it is of two people they have become entwined. One has to know who they are to get thru this conundrum.”
“It’ll Work Out” He is a thoughtful man. He is a caring man. He knows there is uncertainty ahead. He knows that if he persists It’ll work out.”
“Back and Forth” We are looking thru the driver’s body to see what he sees. We see his back, but he is looking forth. When he stops we will have a moment to look back before we look forth. This helps us avoid mistakes. She is getting on the bus because she believes that he will avoid mistakes.”
“Circular Thinking” She has a thought. She is trying to think it thru. She is in a circusy world. The flat shapes and bright colors, with the large circle symbolize the interruptions in her thought. But, the colors are joyous and make a pattern so her thought will become complete.”
“Reflections” installation at Happy Warrior Playground
This Grady Alexis Gallery exhibition is supported in partnership with the NYC Parks Department and the Columbus-Amsterdam BID, as well as through public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, with the City Council. Additional funding comes from the Jacob and Ruth Epstein Foundation, the New York State Council on the Arts and individual donations.
We Thank You!
El Taller Latino Americano (aka The Latin American Workshop, Inc) is 501(c)(3) community-based institution in New York City.
Since 1979, El Taller has been an open space for expression and dialogue inspired by the belief that creativity dispels fear and mistrust among communities.