Sean Folley grew up at the Gate Hill Cooperative, an artist collective in Rockland County, New York. His father and mother were both sculptors and with neighbors such as composer John Cage, filmmaker Stan Vanderbeek, artist Sari Dienes, and ceramicist Karen Karnes, he was heavily influenced by the diverse wealth of art within his own community.
After high school, Sean moved around the country leading an experiential lifestyle. He went from working on a Formula Super V pit crew in New York to commercial fishing in Alaska, from racing bicycles in Colorado to ski instructing in Vermont. Folley eventually attended Vassar College, but upon the unexpected death of his older brother, he left school early questioning what was next.
This journey eventually landed Sean not far from his beginnings in New York City where he became Assistant Director (and later Interim Director) of The Peace Ship II, a non-profit organization that sent humanitarian aid to Central America. After this project ended, he remembers spending his days in the NYC Library contemplating where he had been and where he was headed. He recognized an artistic vision as one of the constants in his life. No matter where he was or what he was doing, he continually visualized his environment through a creative lens, exploring the use of subject, form, light, texture and composition.
Sean returned to college to complete his undergraduate degree at the University of Vermont where he majored in fine arts. He attended The Lacoste School of the Arts in France, studying under sculptor Robert Blanc. Folley earned his Master of Fine Arts at Johnson State College and the Vermont Studio Center, the largest international artist residency program in the United States.
Sean has a grown daughter, Perry, who lives in North Carolina. He lives with his wife, Carole, a playwright and director, in Vermont.
After high school, Sean moved around the country leading an experiential lifestyle. He went from working on a Formula Super V pit crew in New York to commercial fishing in Alaska, from racing bicycles in Colorado to ski instructing in Vermont. Folley eventually attended Vassar College, but upon the unexpected death of his older brother, he left school early questioning what was next.
This journey eventually landed Sean not far from his beginnings in New York City where he became Assistant Director (and later Interim Director) of The Peace Ship II, a non-profit organization that sent humanitarian aid to Central America. After this project ended, he remembers spending his days in the NYC Library contemplating where he had been and where he was headed. He recognized an artistic vision as one of the constants in his life. No matter where he was or what he was doing, he continually visualized his environment through a creative lens, exploring the use of subject, form, light, texture and composition.
Sean returned to college to complete his undergraduate degree at the University of Vermont where he majored in fine arts. He attended The Lacoste School of the Arts in France, studying under sculptor Robert Blanc. Folley earned his Master of Fine Arts at Johnson State College and the Vermont Studio Center, the largest international artist residency program in the United States.
Sean has a grown daughter, Perry, who lives in North Carolina. He lives with his wife, Carole, a playwright and director, in Vermont.