DVAA Member since 2026

Theresa Stigale

WEBsite: www.theresastigale.com

instagram:

About:

Originally from Southwest Philly, I'm proudly "Temple Made" and now based in the Francisville neighborhood of Philadelphia, working in photography and mixed media. My early interest in photography started in the 1970's in the darkroom our father built in the basement. Watching him create prints from film was simply magical! While in grade school, my three siblings and I took art classes at Fleisher Art Memorial and much later I continued learning the arts in various classes at PAFA, PPAC, Project Basho, Cerulean Arts and online.

After a career in the Philadelphia real estate industry, and teaching real estate at Temple Real Estate Institute, I earned a Digital Photography Certificate from UARTS and transitioned to a full-time studio practice. I also had the pleasure of volunteering with the Philadelphia Photo League and contributing many Philly-based manufacturing and retail corridor stories to Hidden City Philadelphia.

Artist Statement:

I specialize in creating archival prints, books and paintings that focus on a wide range of mid-century narratives. My work is an exploration of "modern vintage" - a bridge between the technical precision of fine art photography and the soulful, cinematic narratives of the 1950s, 60's and 70s. I am drawn to that era's bold colors, graphics, materials, textures and the optimism of mid-century design especially in advertising, architecture, retail and signage.

Editorial photoshoots with my creative team have centered around themes of family, brides, and memories of home, using thrifted vintage clothing, jewelry, props and embellishments to enhance the narrative. Often I will work with more contemporary ideas of consumerism, politics, and surveillance.

Most recently, I've been painting large scale works: blending mixed media and collage techniques to further explore design themes and visual storytelling.