Teresa Mertens-Pellitteri

press release: On September 8, 2016, from 5-10 pm, The Gallery at Yahara Bay Distillery will feature a gallery opening reception for local photographer, Teresa Mertens-Pellitteri.  The opening will be held at Yahara Bay Distillery, located at 3118 Kingsley Way, and will be Yahara Bay’s last show at this location, as their new distillery is set to open the last week of September in Fitchburg. The cost of this event is free to the public and guests will not only enjoy local artwork, but have an opportunity for an artist meet and greet, enjoy free tours/samples from the distillery, appetizers, and cocktails from their cash bar.  Teresa’s artwork will show at the gallery on Kingsley Way throughout the month of September.

About the Artist: Teresa bought her first camera at age nineteen with the help of her uncle, Frank Pellitteri who was a professional photographer known to the Madison community. Although she was appreciative of the wedding photography lessons he gave her, she learned early on that she did not have the nerves of steel required for that particular photography.  Her next photo interests lead her to MATC and a graphic arts program that included photography classes where she learned a variety of photography techniques including how to develop her photos in the darkroom. She loved the solitude of the darkroom and the creativity involved with chemicals, light and paper.

Eventually, Teresa graduated from Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design in 1983 and although her degree was in Printmaking her love was always for Photography.  She promptly went to work for the Public Works Department of Milwaukee.  With her keen eye for detail, love and appreciation of color, design and a desire to create – she was soon assigned to painting the city streets of Milwaukee.

Since then, she has been shooting whatever catches her interest but mostly she likes to capture the beauty, mystery and playfulness in the world and share it with others. Teresa retired after a twenty year career with the Wisconsin State Legislature at the Legislative Reference Bureau and the Legislative Technology Service Bureau where she held positions including WI State Documents Librarian and HR Manager.

She is now fortunate to be able to combine two life-long passions; photography and travel.  The photos in this exhibit at Yahara Bay Distillery are from a recent photography tour of Italy.  Teresa currently resides in Madison with her spouse Lori.