Alanna Siegfried Graboyes (1947-2025) was a prolific artist, producing hundreds of paintings on canvas and fabric. For decades, Alanna worked as a librarian, technologist, and educator at Columbia University, CSX Realty, Chesterfield County Public Library, the Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School, and George C. Marshall High School.
The only child of Jack and Lillian Siegfried, Alanna was born in Brooklyn and grew up two blocks from the ocean in Far Rockaway, NY. She studied art at Queens College under some of the Twentieth Century’s great masters of abstract expressionism. Early in her career, she worked as a textile designer and as a cataloger in several of New York’s great museums. She co-authored SoHo, the first book written on the rise of the SoHo Arts District.
“A painting is not a picture of an experience but is the experience.” – Mark Rothko
A thank you note to New York City:
Fortunately, I grew up a subway token away from many of the world’s greatest museums – and later worked for a time at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and at the Museum of Modern Art. With these museums so close, I could learn light and composition directly from history’s masters.
Fortunately, I had easy access to many of the world’s finest art galleries, giving me immediate access to the latest artistic styles and movements.
Fortunately, I was privileged to study art under some of the 20th century’s great masters of abstract expressionism. They helped me to see color and energy and incorporate them in my paintings.
Fortunately, I could step out onto the streets and see people from around the world wearing stunning fabrics of every variety – an endless parade of colors and textures. This enabled me to develop paintings that mimicked textiles and textiles that mimicked paintings.
Fortunately, I was able to use these skills to work as a designer in the textile industry. There, I learned first-hand about weaving and printing processes, skills that eventually enabling me to fuse silk with wool for wearable art.
And fortunately, I witnessed the rise of the SoHo Art District and was privileged to co-author the first book written on its streets, artists, architects, musicians, and performing artists. The memories of that project enabled me to insert the rhythm and movement of the city streets into my own artwork.
Alanna Siegfried Graboyes