In 1988, a year after she moved to St Petersburg, Ms. Sheri was enrolled in a summer practice at the Museum of Wooden Architecture.On the last day of the practice, all of the students went to the museum to show their work to the public before delivering them to their school for grading. The museum curator told tourists that they could purchase any students' work they liked.An hour later, all twelve of Ms. Sheri’s pieces were gone.Not one piece by the other students was purchased. Angry and envious, they told Ms. Sheri that she was supposed to turn her twelve paintings in to her professor, and that the money she earned will certainly be the last she would ever make. Two days later Irene submitted twelve more paintings and was the only student to receive an "A" for this practice.
In 1990, Ms. Sheri graduated valedictorian from the Serov College and was asked to stay at the School of Fine Art to teach gifted children.She received an apartment for her outstanding achievement and a studio to work in. Two years later, she entered one of the most prestigious art schools in the world, the St Petersburg Academy of Art.
Her graduation artwork was accepted into the permanent collection at the Museum of Academy Art, and a year later, the same painting, "Early snow" (78" x 80") received the highest honor an artist can receive in Russia, the "Russian State Award for Outstanding achievement in Art or Entertainment."
Ms. Sheri’s works are now in the collections of such prominent collectors as musician Mstislav Rastropovich, ex-St Petersburg Mayor Anatoly Sobchak, oil tycoon Leo Vaisberg, just to name a few.
Most recently, Ms. Sheri was invited to take part in an all-Russian juried exhibition, "Youth of Russia," and again, she received first prize and special commendations. Her artwork is sold and presented by galleries and dealers in France, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Russia, Ukraine, Finland, and the US.
Mr. Sheri has a daughter, age 12, who is already showing early signs of a very talented artist.
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