Jim Swierupski is a local artist born and raised in Dix Hills, now living in Port Jefferson Station, Long Island. His passion for art and craftsmanship has been a lifelong journey. Swierupski pursued his artistic education at Suny New Paltz, earning a degree in art education with a concentration in ceramics and sculpture.
For the past 22 years, Swierupski has been a dedicated art teacher in the Three Village school district, primarily focusing on ceramics, sculpture, and Advanced Placement 3D. Swierupski states that he finds joy in being an educator, appreciating the opportunities provided by Three Village to be creative with his students and receiving support for the classes he teaches.
In 2015, a unique opportunity arose when the Director of the music department approached Jim with a proposal. He was tasked with inventorying and assessing instruments across the Three Village schools. Any instruments beyond repair were to be excessed and replaced. Jim was offered the damaged ones to explore alternative uses.
The damaged instruments, falling apart at the seams, became the catalyst for Jim's instrument sculptures. Inspired by the symmetry, beautiful shapes, and curves of the string instruments, he embarked on a journey of deconstruction and reconstruction. The delicate nature of string instruments posed a challenge, as removing the front and back compromised their structural integrity. Embracing balance, rhythm, and movement, Jim used the broken pieces to echo the instruments' former beauty.
Drawing from years of teaching 3D mediums, Jim applied his own advice in completing these sculptures. The interiors, patched and reglued over the years, were stripped down to reveal the wood's natural beauty, providing a stark contrast to the exterior. Some sculptures still bear the school names and numbers, preserving the instruments' history and the love they received.
Jim Swierupski is delighted to share his instrument sculptures at The Reboli Center, just as The Reboli Center is delighted to showcase his unique and captivating creations.
“To celebrate the years of joy these instruments provided to Three Village students, I decided to join the essence of musical and artistic creativity into these sculptures.These sculptures were constructed using string instruments which are now being retired after many years of use. The outsides of the instruments remain intact and depict the hours of practice and love students had for their musical abilities. The insides were sanded down, cleaned up, and then turned into something better than what they were. Please enjoy the balance, rhythm, and movement of these sculptures.” - Jim Swierupski
Jim’s work will be available for viewing and purchase through March 2024 during our regular business hours, Tuesdays - Saturdays 11am-5pm, Sundays 1pm-5pm. As always, our Center is free to visit and no reservations are required for small groups.