El Cerrito Abstract Painter Exhibits in Berkeley

JoEllen Mancuso of El Cerrito is having an exhibition of her abstract paintings at the Berkeley jewelry gallery, Zaver & Mor.

The exbition, titled "The Early Works of JoEllen Mancuso," runs through Dec. 1.

An invitation to the exhibit's opening reception on Nov. 8 said the works were created "around the 1990s up until 2001" and are a mix of pastels, watercolor and ink.

Describing Mancuso, the invitation said, "JoEllen is primarily a self-taught artist, though she took a few night classes at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. She enjoys playing the piano and composes and records her own music."

Mancuso, 67, lives at El Cerrito Royale, an assisted living facility serving seniors.

In addition to her love painting, Mancuso has also been closely involved with music, not just performing and composing, but also in selling Steinway pianos, according Sonja Givens-Thomas, excecutive director at El Cerrito Royale. "She once out sold everyone in the entire country," Givens-Thomas said.