ARC approved Academy of Realist Art is building its online video and DVD portfolio to familiarize visitors with our programs and provide detailed instruction on realist art techniques. When complete, our online video offerings will include studio tours, as well as workshop summaries and helpful hints from senior instructors at ARA.
We are also planning the launch of a new DVD release “In the Studios of the Old Masters” this summer. A sequel to the highly popular “Drawing the Figure”, this DVD will walk students through many of the painting techniques used by the Old Masters.
Check out the ARA website at www.academyofrealistart.com to view the latest online videos. For pricing information or to pre-order a copy of “In the Studios of the Old Masters” DVD, contact info@academyofrealistart.com.
ARC approved Academy of Realist Art is expanding its reach in North America and Europe in the coming months. While details won’t be available until the official announcements are made, plans are in the works for ARA – with the enthusiastic support of local government agencies - to open a new school in a European resort location as early as June 2010. ARA is also in the very early stages of considering a new site in the UK in response to popular demand.
ARA Boston is undergoing some major upgrades, as it takes on more space to accommodate its growing student population. The studio is in the process of grooming new instructors, as well as expanding its highly-popular workshop calendar. Visit www.academyofrealistartboston.com to learn more.
Last but not least, ARA is also looking to establish a more permanent program in the Ottawa region in partnership with the Monart Art School. Already a popular location for workshops, this site will be home to an extended ARA curriculum, and will feature regularly scheduled workshops with senior ARA instructors.
Updates will be posted on the ARA website at www.academyofrealistart.com or email info@academyofrealistart.com to be added to our mailing list.
ARA student Mercedes Cirfi Walton has realized her passion for art and architecture with the publication of her new book, L'architettura di Antonio Federighi - The Architecture of Antonio Federighi. The launch took place at the Palazzo Pubblico (City Hall) in Siena, Italy on December 21, where she celebrated with her many friends, family members and colleagues.
Mercedes was encouraged to publish her research by Italian scholars in Siena after reading her 1996 thesis on Antonio Federighi and his pivotal role in introducing the Renaissance style to the city during the 15th century. Among other noteworthy achievements, Federighi was also the personal architect to Pope Pius II, considered to be one of the greatest humanist pontiffs in history.
Her new “masterpiece” published by Betti Editori (ISBN: 9788875761462) is now available in the New York through Michael Shamansky, Booksellers Inc. “For Siena to come to North America and ask me to publish was a great honour and showed me that my work was worthwhile,” she says.
Having entered the world of publishing, Mercedes says she is anxious to get back and continue her studies on Siena’s rich Renaissance history. “It’s so rare to explore something from the 1400s that no one has studied before. This has been a wonderful experience.”
Mercedes is currently looking for a Canadian distributer for her book. If you have any enquiries, or would like to know when her book launch will take place in Toronto, please contact her at: pantheon.group@sympatico.ca
Academy of Realist Art - 2968 Dundas Street West, Toronto
Saturday December 19, 2009
2:00 to 7:00 pm
You are cordially invited to our annual Holiday open house. Everyone is welcome. We hope to see you there!
Special Lecture Series by Juan Carlos Martinez
Part I - December 17, 2009 7:00 to 9:30 pm
Part II - December 18, 2009 7:00 to 9:30 pm
Academy of Realist Art - 2968 Dundas Street West, Toronto
Overview: This lavishly illustrated two-part slide lecture examines the history of the modern Classical Realism movement from its origins in the ateliers of 19th century Paris; as well as illustrates the important role that ARA plays in the preservation and integrity of the modern Classical Realism movement.
Part 1 will examine the art, the artists, the students and the studios of 19th century academic art through the 1800s to the First World War, from David to Bouguereau and beyond. The lecture will include an overview of the works of the French academicians, along with English, Italian, and other European artists, as well as Canadian and American influences.
Part 2 will continue the story and examine how academic art and training has been kept alive in the 20th century through the efforts of a few artists, including the first “classical realists” in the U.S. Other branches of post-war art that have been influential in ARA’s development will also be introduced, including the works of Pietro Annigoni. Notable 20th century and contemporary classical realism will also be highlighted, as well as examples of the diversity of work that is making significant inroads on the current art scene.
Note: External guests must reserve a place. Contact: info@academyofrealistart.com
Star Portraits is an all new original series by Bravo! Canada. The series was developed by PTC Productions and based on the hit BBC program. The show is hosted by Broadway star Louise Pitre.
The series begins on September 12th @ 8:00 pm on Bravo! Canada and runs every Saturday until December 12th.
www.bravo.ca and www.starportraits.ca
In each 30 minute episode, 3 Canadian working artists are introduced to a Canadian personality. They must get work quickly in order to perform as much preliminary work as possible with the star. They have 2 weeks to complete their portrait. Louise visits each artists in their studio to see how the work is coming along. At the end of each episode, the star is presented with the 3 portraits one of which they may select for their personal collection. The remaining portraits are grouped and 6 selected for the permanent collection of the Canadian Portrait Society. The rest are auctioned off at Joyner Waddinton's Auction of Important Canadian Art. The proceeds go to a charity selected by the celebrity.
Academy of Realist Art instructor Juan Carlos Martinez has been selected as one of the artists. He will be completing the portrait of Alex Trebek on the episode aired on Saturday November 14th @ 8:00 pm.
Celebrities
Alex Trebek
The Amazing Kreskin
Ashley MacIsaac
Colin Mochrie
Debbie Travis
Elvis Stojko
Enrico Colantoni
George Chuvalo
Margaret Trudeau
Measha Brueggergosman
Pamela Wallin
Dr. Roberta Bondar
General Romeo Dallaire
Artists
Allan Harding MacKay
Brian Smith
Carrie Colton
Catto Houghton
Christina Sealey
Daniel Hughes
Daniel Ross
Elaine Goble
Erik Dzenis
Gabor Paul Mezei
Gertrude Kearns
Gregory Sean Damery
Heather Cooper
Isabella Stefanescu
Jamie Bradbury
Jason Kronenwald
John Viljoen
Juan Carlos Martinez
Judy Finch
Katherine Stone
Kim Van Stygeren Medland
Kristy Gordon
Laurie McGaw
Manny Neubacher
Maria Gabankova-Brezina
Marie Finkelstein
Mark Thompson
Natalie Majaba Waldburger
Natasha
Opal Dunbar Adams
Paul Robert Turner
Reid McLachlan
Sara Sniderhan
Shannon Reynolds
Stefan Galvanek
Tom Campbell
Travis Shilling
Veronica Kvassetskaia-Tsyglan
Wageh Yassa
This fall, history and art come together in an an exciting combination to help adults learn history!
Event: History Through Art Lecture
Location: Academy of Realist Art Toronto
Guest Speaker: Scott Powell
Date: Thursday September 17th, 2009
Time: 6:30 to 9:00
Scott Powell, the creator of A First History for Adults™, the acclaimed distance-learning history curriculum for adults, is offering a new learning opportunity to adult students of art. It's called “HistoryThroughArt.”
This innovative pedagogical approach presents the narrative story of history and uses the integrating power of art to allow students to visualize the events and characters as well as the story's abstract themes. History Through Art will help you: develop a greater appreciation of the instructive power of art, and a better understanding of the meaning and value of history … because HistoryThroughArt combines the power of history and art in every lecture.
We'll learn about the Roman Empire and its long-term impact on the world … the Dark Ages, and the rise and disintegration of Feudal Christendom … the pivotal period of the French Revolution and Napoleon, and finally … the revolutions of the nineteenth century that shaped the modern world.
Contact Colleen Johnston (info@academyofrealistart.com or call 416-766-1280) for further event and program details, including a syllabus for prospective students.
The lecture is free to all ARA students.
ARA graduate Yevgeniya Savosta's tenebrist still life graces the cover of the new Canadian Brushstroke Magazine.
Brushstroke magazine, an innovative electronic artist magazine, has a feature article on Yevgeniya titled Business As Usual Is Now A Joy.
The article discusses how Yevgeniya changed career paths from business and is now a successful young artist after studying at the academy.
The article displays several of her paintings including; the portrait of Janette Woodroffe in oil, graphite drawing of Lidya, the portrait of Dr. Elaine in oil, and her Still Life with White Flowers.
The magazine is an e-zine and is a free subscription at www.brushstrokemagazine.com
Congratulations Yevgeniya!
Yevgeniya's personal web site www.savart.ca
