In Episode 34 of Inside the Frame Podcast, we welcome artist, educator, and spiritual medium Rita Berkowitz, a creative force whose journey spans fashion design, figure painting, pastels, and even spirit portraiture. In this wide-ranging and heartwarming conversation, Rita shares her lifelong devotion to art, her passion for teaching, and her unique ability to blend the metaphysical with the visual.
From New York to the South Shore
Rita’s artistic path began in New York, where an inspiring junior high teacher encouraged her to apply to the High School of Art and Design. She went on to study at Pratt Institute in the 1960s, a vibrant period for the arts, and later continued at the Museum School in Boston. Her early work focused on large-scale figurative paintings, often inspired by youth in Roxbury and Dorchester. These powerful pieces reflected her deep connection with the communities she taught and painted.
A Community Built Through Pastels
After a 14-year hiatus, Rita’s move to Scituate brought her back to art through the South Shore Art Center. A chance encounter with a neighbor led her to Donna Rossetti-Bailey’s pastel class, where she not only discovered a new medium but a new family. Rita credits Donna and fellow pastelists with creating a supportive, tight-knit art community. “We don’t just paint together, we take care of each other,” she says.
Teaching with Heart
Rita’s passion for teaching spans decades and demographics, from fashion students to troubled teens. Her educational philosophy emphasizes trust, creativity, and empowerment. She recalls gaining the confidence of her middle school students through exercises like graffiti-style name drawing, eventually guiding them to classical oil painting. “You have to meet students where they are,” she says, “and lead them to where they can be.”
This summer, she returns to teaching with a beginner/intermediate pastel class at the South Shore Art Center. “I go to bed thinking about what I can offer them,” she says with excitement.
Blending the Spiritual and the Creative
One of the most fascinating aspects of Rita’s story is her parallel path as a spirit artist and medium. A pivotal moment, sketching a spirit during a reading that perfectly matched a photograph, changed the course of her life. She now teaches mediumship, performs spirit readings, and creates spirit portraits, bringing comfort and healing to countless individuals. Despite having two seemingly distinct followings, art and spiritual communities, Rita has found ways to merge both paths, with some collectors drawn to her work for the energy it carries.
Reimagining Old Work and Staying Inspired
Rita paints five days a week, often revisiting earlier works with fresh eyes and new color theory insights. She speaks fondly of “resurrections”, paintings she’s reworked with guidance from mentors and peer critiques. Her studio at the Sandpaper Factory in Rockland is part of a vibrant artist community, where collaboration and exploration thrive.
More Than Art on the Wall
Whether she’s painting, teaching, or guiding others spiritually, Rita’s work is rooted in empathy and connection. “Art is about energy,” she explains. “People sometimes buy my paintings not just because they like them, but because they want that energy in their homes.”
See Her Work and Learn More
Rita will be participating in the Rockland Open Studios on April 27, where you can visit her studio and see works in progress. She’ll also be offering a pastel course this summer through the South Shore Art Center.
For more about Rita Berkowitz’s artwork and upcoming events, visit her artist page at Frame Center and follow her on social media.
