Renowned artist Zolita Sverdlove was born in New York City in 1936 and lived and created artworks in South Pasadena for more than three decades until she passed away in late 2009. Since then, plans have been underway for a local celebration to honor her many artistic achievements.

Zolita Sverdlove was very prodigious in her work, producing over 1,000 oils, an equal number of watercolors, innumerable drawings, and hundreds of graphic works (etchings, woodcuts, etc). Her style was impressionist and she was a great colorist, using bold colors to accentuate her depictions of local landscapes. Zolita knew that she wanted to be an artist from the time she was six years old, and was dedicated to her art for more than 60 years.

Zolita attended Cooper Union Art School in New York City from 1954 to 1956. She lived in California for forty years including 30 years in South Pasadena (1979-2009). She roamed the hills of South Pasadena, finding places on Hanscomb, or near the Water Tower, and immortalized the views looking northward toward the San Gabriel Mountains, Mount Baldy, and the Verdugos, and southward toward the buildings of Los Angeles in the distance framed by the hills of South Pasadena in the foreground. Examples of her wonderful artwork can be viewed at www.love-art.com

On February 12, 2010 at 6:00 p.m., a public reception will be presented in the South Pasadena Public Library Community Room. Attendees will be able to view an exhibit of some of Zolita’s paintings while enjoying white wine and other refreshments  courtesy of the Friends of the South Pasadena Public Library-- and light, classical background music by recording artist and pianist David Batt.

At 7:00 p.m. two Zolita Sverdlove paintings that will hang in the main reading room of the Library will be unveiled for the first time. The colorful, dramatic paintings of local scenes were donated by her husband Don Rapp and close friend Marlee Campbell.

The entire community is invited and no reservations are needed. The doors of the Library Community at 1115 El Centro Street will open at 5:45 p.m.