In her art, Janet Scagnelli channels both personal loss and public grief, transforming intimate experiences into a poignant commentary on political realities. Her creative foundation is built on a background in art history alongside a long career as an animation artist and filmmaker. She previously owned and operated an animation company and a specialized business to restore collectable animation cels in New York City, later bringing both enterprises to Richmond, where she also co-directed a televised PBS documentary about a local peace activist.
Seeking refuge from deep personal loss and global injustices, she turned to fine art as a way to navigate internal and external chaos. Her process relies heavily on emotion, allowing her feelings to dictate the specific medium and style of each piece. Through re-experiencing these losses in her work, she aims to find personal healing while offering consolation to her viewers. A member of Artspace Gallery in Richmond, her work has been featured in exhibitions throughout the region, including a prominent drawing series showcased in the 1708 Gallery’s Memento Mori exhibition.