Alumna combines skills gained in visual arts and arts entrepreneurship to build successful career

By Sarah Buttikofer

When Bella Del Signore set out to pursue art, the goal was always clear. Not just to create, but to build a career around it.

“I decided senior year of high school that I was going to go to school for art and that I wanted to make money off of it,” said Del Signore, who graduated in 2022 with a bachelor of fine arts in art and minor in arts entrepreneurship from the College of Arts and Architecture.

At Penn State, pairing studio practice with the Arts Entrepreneurship program felt intentional from the start.

“Going into college, it seemed like the right fit to combine both of those programs to fit my interests,” Del Signore said.

That combination gave Del Signore both practical tools and confidence.

“The intersection of art and business isn’t always taken seriously. Professor [Jonathan] Gangi always did, and he made you believe in your dreams while giving you the tools to actually make them happen,” Del Signore said.

Support came early and left a lasting impression.

“Having a professor fully believe in my vision from the start changed everything,” Del Signore said.

Gangi, associate professor of music and arts entrepreneurship, remembers that focus clearly.

“She was very serious and dedicated to her goal of becoming a professional artist. She cared very much about the assignments in my class and worked very hard and was a wonderful student because she took responsibility for her own career and implemented what I taught her,” said Gangi, who serves as head of the college’s Arts Entrepreneurship program.

That ownership became central to Del Signore’s path after graduation.

“Being trusted to execute big ideas was huge. That mindset is what helps me create my own opportunities now,” Del Signore said.

Navigating the art world without a clear roadmap required persistence.

“There’s not really accessible information for how to be a painter. I just knew representation was something I wanted to reach,” Del Signore said.

When early efforts did not lead to representation, Del Signore kept working.

“I wasn’t getting into places, so I just kept painting. I gave myself prompts, posted my work and created my own opportunities. I made my own professional evening art show so people could come. I just kept creating projects for myself,” Del Signore said.

One sale marked a turning point.

“Selling a piece to someone I didn’t know at all changed everything,” Del Signore said.

Today, Del Signore is a fully represented painter with Stanek Gallery, based in Philadelphia and Miami, with work shown in exhibitions and at Art Basel Miami Beach each year.

“Now I have consistent representation and people pitching my work to designers, collectors and different opportunities behind the scenes. Every year I’m considered for future exhibitions and major art fairs. That completely changed my career,” Del Signore said.

Setting ambitious goals was part of the process.

“It’s pretty rare to be represented before 35. I wanted to do it by 25 – and I did it at 24,” Del Signore said.

Building a sustainable practice also meant diversifying income streams.

“My online shop makes my art more accessible,” Del Signore said. “Not everyone can invest in a $2,000 painting, so I wanted different levels of investment. To really make this work full time, it’s helpful to have multiple revenue streams that reach different sections of clientele.”

In addition to gallery work, Del Signore has completed large-scale murals for private homes, the gallery and most recently in downtown Denver through a city contract.

“It was fully in public and fully outdoors, which I hadn’t done before. That was really cool,” Del Signore said.

For Del Signore, relationships remain central to the work.

“Connecting with your clients is the biggest asset. Being a people person first really takes it home,” Del Signore said.

Residencies have also played a role in growth and networking.

“Art residencies are a way to build your network and fuel your practice,” Del Signore said. “They’re so much fun it’s hard to believe they’re a professional opportunity.”

Looking back, Penn State remains foundational.

“My professors really paid attention to each student’s individuality and helped you grow toward your own goals,” Del Signore said. “I think about them all the time in what I do now.”

For current students considering a similar path, her advice is direct.

“Don’t get bogged down by people who don’t believe art can be your full-time career,” Del Signore said. “There’s no direct path to making it happen, but you have to trust yourself.”