Ted Bergfelt was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, and has lived in the area all his life. His BA is in English Literature and he has a Master of Library Science degree as well, both from the University of Pittsburgh.
Ted has worked as a staff member, then a professional, in public and academic libraries, since he turned 16. Before coming to Duquesne in 2009, he worked for a dozen years at Carlow University.
Ted’s first love was art. While he did not study it in college, he did make art until he was around 30. But, about that time, he gave it up when he decided to go back to college at night while working a fulltime job. Decades later, in 2016, with encouragement from his wife and daughter, he began to make art again, his chosen medium now being arcylics on canvas..
His favorite artists as a teenager were Henri Matisse and Georges Rouault. The influence of these artists can still be seen in Ted’s work, in his use of bright color (Matisse) and the strong lines which intersect to create his shapes, like leads in stained glass (Rouault). Ted’s favorite artist of all is the American, Charles Burchfield.
Ted lives with his wife and daughter, and five cats, in Mt. Lebanon, PA.
Dr. Sara Baron introduces Ted Bergfelt at the reception on April 10, at which the artist spoke about his creative process.
