CAROL FASTUCA

Born the fourth of ten children in Fort Benning, Georgia, Carol Fastuca spent her early years moving between cities across the United States due to her father's army career. Her family eventually settled in a Pittsburgh suburb, where she grew up.

Carol earned a BFA in Printmaking from Penn State and an MFA in Painting from Queens College in New York. She began her teaching career at Syracuse University, instructing freshmen in Painting and Drawing. She later joined the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), where she taught all levels of Painting and Drawing and served as an advisor to the university's newly established Imaging and Digital Arts graduate program. Despite her background in studio arts, Carol found inspiration in collaborating with students exploring art and design fundamentals, often focusing on the creative process.

During her academic career, she also had the opportunity to teach in London and Florence, which allowed her to travel extensively—from Australia and the Middle East to many parts of Europe. These experiences broadened her artistic perspective and enriched her practice.

After transitioning from academia, Carol launched her own design business, specializing in mural painting, while continuing to create commissioned landscapes.

Relocating to southeastern Pennsylvania 20 years ago profoundly shaped her artistic focus. Inspired by the region’s ever-changing light, vivid skies, and serene landscapes, as well as the quirky charm of the cows that dot the countryside, Carol finds endless challenge and joy in capturing this beauty through her paintings.