About Ylvia Asal: Artist

I was born in the Black Sea area of Turkiye.  I believe I was actually born an Artist.  With this in my heart, I focused my entire education and life experience on honing that aspect of my life.   My formative education, at the Girls' Traditional, Technical, and Vocational Middle/High School, I was followed by an intensive arts program in Istanbul, focusing on technique and design, along with accounting [I believe math is a form of art as well]. 

As a multi-disciplinary visual teaching artist, I work with a wide array of mediums:  sculpture with Clay, wax, and Soft sculpture), Traditional Art of " Ebru" ( Marbling), and textile art such as working with fabric and yarn. I also give new insights into nature, people, and shapes in my photography. My studio is always filled with music I love, and you will discover that I am a singer, dancer, and musician as well. My greatest passion is ‘making lace, which is a centuries-old technique of creating handmade lace. The skills required to master this art have been handed down from generation to generation.  I began creating one-of-a-kind pieces of wearable art in this age-old tradition. I have modernized the look but stayed true to the techniques perfected on my own.  The result is a beautiful collection celebrating this unique fusion.  

My life in the United States took me to business accounting school in Philadelphia, graduated in 2008.

In 2012,  I opened my art business, Anatolia Art and Crafts Studio, in Ventnor City, NJ, subsequently relocating to The Noyes Museum Stockton University in Atlantic City, NJ. 

In 2014, I exhibited for ArtPride NJ for the NJ State League of Municipalities Conference in Atlantic City, NJ, gifted the organization with an embroidered NJ State Municipality 100th Anniversary flag.  I designed storefront windows in Atlantic City, NJ as part of the Atlantic City Main Street Program and embellished the Noyes Arts Garage by yarn bombing.  I taught lace making  for one year at the Stockton Center on Successful Aging (SCOSA), as well as fiber art at the Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University. 

In 2015, I received the New Beginnings Awards from the State of New Jersey as well as an award for Outstanding Achievement honoring for my art business. 

The following year, I participated in two entrepreneurship conferences in Turkiye, where I gave a series of presentations on my own journeys through the art world and the business of art. I enjoy sharing my experiences in creativity with audiences to inspire other artists and entrepreneurs.

In 2018, I was involved in many exciting new projects. I was honored to be chosen as an NJ Council for the Arts Folk and Traditional Artist Fellow and as one of 20 South Jersey artists to participate in the Creative Capital program. I was invited to participate in the Tastefully South Jersey exhibit at the Perkins Center for the Arts in Collingswood, NJ where I demonstrated Anatolian Lace of “Oya” and food as part of this multicultural program. 

I have been Teaching Artists at Art Centers, Libraries, and Artist residencies at Schools, as well as my own art studio since 2012.

In November 2018, relocated my art business to Downtown Haddonfield NJ. This space serves as a marketplace for my handmade products as well as a workshop.,   In addition, visitors to her shop can see museum-like displays of antique embroidery and art of lacework, as well as have the opportunity to purchase the artwork of local artists.

In April 2019, Artist in Residence at Rutgers University presented and demonstrated Anatolian needle Lace of “Oya"

I was also a Heritage Exhibitor for the 45th Annual New Jersey Folk Festival in New Brunswick, NJ 

In November 2019, Lifelong Learning in the Arts program, instructing in a quilting project at Rutgers University Center for the Arts in Camden, NJ.

In 2019, participated in the “ Themes Across Cultures” exhibition at Wheaton Folk Art Center in Millville.

In December 2020, the Golden Festival presented and demonstrated the arts of Anatolian Needle Lace of ("Oya") and Paper marbling ("Ebru").

In January 2021, Completed the Art Administrators' Essentials:  Supporting Individual Artists digital classroom course through ArtsU, a program of Americans for the Arts.

In April 2021, Exhibited in both the 47th Annual New Jersey Folk Festival and the Rockland Art Festival. 

In February 2022, Certificate of Appreciation.  Afghan refugees at Joint Base McGuire-Dix  USCCB/Morale, Wellness & Recreation Program, Fort Dix. 

In July 2023, received the New Jersey Cultural  Heritage Fellowship lifetime achievement award. 

I am always looking for new opportunities to share my ideas and my love of the arts by exhibiting, teaching, participating in, and partnering with other artists, communities, and cultural organizations.