Shout Out Miami!

I have recently had the honor of being recognized in Shout Out Miami!  Check it Out!
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https://shoutoutmiami.com/meet-renee-keil-visual-artist-and-retired-performance-arts-director-teacher-and-choreographer/?fbclid=IwAR1qTTXDx4PJYe7dzXxAzzTDSuBt-DR-zcLEtuIEtXmWYv7hBc4XQoi3WXE

Meet Renee Keil | Visual artist and retired performance arts director, teacher and choreographer

March 9, 2022 We had the good fortune of connecting with Renee Keil and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Renee, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I have always loved to tell stories. As a child I wrote plays, directed my friends, designed the sets and costumes and of course was the leading player! I learned to draw from my mom, I loved to paint, write plays and poetry and sing and dance. When I was at the University of Pittsburgh studying acting and directing, I remember telling my acting/directing professor that my dream was to be able to integrate my talents and love for both visual arts and performance arts. He steered me into the path of directing and working as an acting, dance teacher, director and choreographer. Through this career choice I was able to channel my inner creative muse by designing beautiful (not all beautiful) pictures on the stage.
Now my career is focused on the visual arts. Using varied mediums, I work to build a ‘theater on the flat”, (incorporating conflict, character, abstraction, and theme), which often spotlights pervasive concerns of our world today… some times pretty, sometimes not…but there’s always a story!
   
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am an artist, actress, director and choreographer living in the Shadyside area of Pittsburgh in the summer months and in beautiful Stuart Florida for “the season”. I created an award winning high school theater and dance program and was named dance teacher of the year in both PA and the North EasternUS. in I have worked as a dance acting/theatre educator in several Pittsburgh universities, including teaching jazz dance at Carnegie Mellon University for their prestigious summer Pre-college theater program. I received BS and MA degrees from the University of Pittsburgh, and did graduate work in movement at the University of Oslo, Norway. ​
Currently, I am concentrating on my “visual arts”; painting in watercolor, acrylics, pastels and oils. I am a member of the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Society of Artists, The Pittsburgh Watercolor Society, The Pittsburgh Pastel Artist League, The Martin County Arts Council and the Martin Artisan Guild. I have won several awards for my work in various juried art shows and have shown in state museums and various gallery exhibitions.
Because I am a theater director and choreographer, I have always loved to tell a story, create a “picture”, focus on an issue, an emotion, a conflict, a universal connection that somehow dictates how we act, react, live. Due to this performance background, I find that as a visual artist I especially love to paint pictures that tell a story…that make a statement about the human condition, the universal connections that move our souls.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There is just too much to do and see here in beautiful, friendly South Florida to focus on one area!. Of course in the Stuart area I would take them to any of the beautiful beaches on Martin County’s Hutchison Island. We would visit the amazing Elliott Museum and perhaps head to Kyle G’s restaurant for lunch. Not to be missed is seeing a sunset at Sailor’s Return at the Sunset Marina. Jupiter has so much to offer too!. Jupiter Lighthouse and arts area, the many fine restaurants and shopping on PGA boulevard, and of course their is Palm Beach, The Norton Museum, the bike trail around Palm Beach Island and so many more sights and scenes that “move my soul”!
   
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My parents deserve the most recognition in my story of success. They promoted my interest in the arts and established a strong work ethic in their own lives which really was the base and model for my own life. Fellow artists in my various arts groups have also been encouraging and supportive of my career through their modeling of work and art.
Website: reneekeil Art.com
Instagram: Reneekeil
Linkedin: Renee Keil
Facebook: Renee Keil Original Art