2-D art, including murals, mosaic, photography, etc.
Pittsburgh Creative Corps Artist Directory
James Wodarek
Primary Discipline
Artistic Practice
Site-specificity determines materials used
Machina Solum, 2025, aluminum relief and acrylic on wood board, 24″ x 36.”
Ghost Archive, 2025, aluminum relief and acrylic on wood board, 24″ x 36.”
Surface Index, 2025, aluminum relief and acrylic on wood board, 24″ x 36.”
Trace Logic, 2025, aluminum relief and acrylic on wood board, 24″ x 36.”
Signal Yield, 2025, aluminum relief and acrylic on wood board, 36″ x 24.”
About the Artist
James Wodarek is a Pittsburgh-based visual artist working in 2-D disciplines whose practice spans fine art, public art, and commercial design. With formal art studies in Italy and a multidisciplinary career that includes roles as an art director, illustrator, art educator, and curator, his work bridges conceptual rigor with visual impact across both cultural and commercial contexts.
With over 30 years of professional experience, Wodarek is highly adept at working within real-world project parameters, including client collaboration, budget management, and production timelines. His background across both agency and gallery environments allows him to navigate projects with clarity, flexibility, and efficiency, making him a dependable choice for public and private commissions.
His work is exhibited regularly in New York City and reflects a practice shaped by both commercial and fine art contexts. He creates visually striking, layered compositions that engage viewers through form, symbolism, and spatial awareness. Whether through murals, installations, or large-scale artworks, Wodarek is interested in how art transforms space, fosters connection, and contributes to the identity of a place. His work is well-suited for public-facing projects that require both strong aesthetic presence and thoughtful integration into community and built environments.
Photo by Brian Cohen
Web
Accreditations, Certifications, and/or Awards
- Certified K-12 art educator, state of Pennsylvania 1994-present
- Adjunct faculty, La Roche University 1998-present
- Department Chair, Fine and Practical Arts, Baldwin High School 2013-present
- Best Visual Artist: Best of PGH, Pittsburgh City Paper 2024
- Best Visual Artist: Best of PGH, Pittsburgh City Paper 2025
Provides Fabrication Services to Other Artists
No
Teaching Artist
Yes, all ages
Joined the Directory
May 2026
Related
PROJECT
Pittsburgh Creative Corps
Designed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pittsburgh Creative Corps initiative engages artists and creative workers to activate the public realm while providing economic opportunity.
“Public art is about creating connections. I’ve spent decades refining a language of structure, balance, and clarity in my work, and I see the public realm as the place where that language can truly live—accessible to everyone, not just gallery audiences.”
James Wodarek
Contact the Artist
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Related
PROJECT
Pittsburgh Creative Corps
Designed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pittsburgh Creative Corps initiative engages artists and creative workers to activate the public realm while providing economic opportunity.
