ABOUT THE ARTIST

Born in Miami Beach, Florida, Ilona Benzak began her formal art studies at the age of 12. Inspiration came early when she attended the Art Institute of Miami for summer classes, followed by classes at the South Florida Art Institute and on to the Philadelphia College of Art.

Ilona spent 4 years in New York City commercial art before heading to Rome Italy, where she attended the Accademia Di Belle Arte and was assigned as a substitute teacher for a summer figure drawing class.

In 1974, she had a solo art exhibition at the American Studies Center in Naples, Italy, which eventually led to future teaching and commissioned work for the Bennati family of Venice Italy for there home in Florida.

After extensive travel through Europe, the American Southwest and family priorities, she settled back to South Florida to passionately resume her art. Ilona has also focused her last 5 years on the American West and California, concentrating her art on the places she has always loved.

Ilona is a member of Oil Painters of America.
Ilona continues to work in her South Florida studio today.