After many months of preparation, cross-Atlantic travels, and visits from dignitaries and art lovers, we’re delighted to announce the official opening of the Academy of Realist Art Portugal on June 20. Fernando Freitas traveled to Portugal for the opening ceremonies, which were attended by Azores President Carlos Manuel Martins do Vale Cesar . The curriculum will kick off with a six-day Old Master Painting workshop starting August 16. Additional workshops in the works for 2010 include an introduction to the Bargue program, and portrait drawing and painting. We’ll be sure to keep you posted as new workshops become available.

Justin de Lima has been studying at ARA since his teens. But he didn’t let his age stand in the way of getting a birthday commission to paint individual portraits of local celebrity chef Massimo and his family. The offer was made after Massimo’s wife visited the studio, where she asked Justin to paint the four portraits….in two weeks! Now a first year student at OCAD, Justin continues his part-time studies at ARA.

ARA student Albert Coria was also commissioned to do a portrait of author Dana Cottrell for his book "Genesis 1". You can check out the portrait on the author's web site at www.danacottrell.net under the “About Author” section.

ARA instructors Fernando Freitas and Juan Martinez were both selected to showcase their works at the Buckhorn Fine Art Festival’s “Canadian Masters Exhibit”. This annual event features original artwork for show and sale by many of North America’s leading artists. Fernando’s and Juan’s works will be showcased alongside paintings by A. J. Casson, Robert Bateman, Krieghoff, Glen Loates, Michael Dumas, Brent Townsend, Chris Bacon, Norval Morrissseau, Ken Danby, Fenwick Lansdowne, Claudio D’Angelo, and aboriginal master artists Joseph Jacobs and Nori Peter. The annual Festival is being held August 12 to 15 at the Buckhorn Community Centre, 1801 Lakehurst Road. For information, visit www.buckhornfineart.com.

Former ARA student Imam Azhari’s continues to receive accolades for his works. His painting “Zig Zag”, which he worked on during his time at ARA, recently won the Best in Show award in the Richeson 75 Still Life & Floral 2010 Awards. Imam’s work convinced the jurors - who admitted to usually preferring a more “painterly” style – with its interesting composition, exceptional execution and realistic detail. The Richeson 75 awards are open to both established and emerging artists. Winners’ works are presented in the Richeson Art Gallery in Kimberly, Wisconsin, and on the website at www.richeson75.com.

Part-time ARA student Morris Piccone’s landscapes have become the talk of gallery circles these days. His “Dusk-Canoe Lake” is currently on display at the McMichael Gallery as part of its “Progression” exhibition until September 2010. The painting was completed as part of an educational venture between McMichael and the Haliburton School of the Arts. For information about the McMichael, visit www.mcmichael.com.  Morris’ landscape “Lake Kashagawigamog” has also been selected as a featured work from the Advanced Individual Studies Program of the Haliburton School of the Arts.

This exquisitely detailed still-life entitled “Captain’s Journey” by ARA student Marcelle Turenne has been selected for the Aviation Paintings of the Year show in London, UK. The event is taking place at the Mall Galleries near Trafalgar Square from July 19 to 25. We encourage anyone traveling to London during that time to stop by the gallery for a first hand look. Or feel free to contact Marcelle at mturenne@rogers.com for details about the opening reception.

ARA instructors David Gluck, who hails from Pennsylvania, and Fernando Freitas, brought the USA/Canada hockey rivalry home to the studio this week. To honour the Olympic Games - and their love for the sport - the two die-hard hockey fans placed a friendly bet that the supporter of the losing team would wear the winning team's shirt for a day. After a nail-biting finish on Sunday, David took the defeat in stride and spent a day showcasing his "temporary Canadian citizenship".

The Bloor West Village Art Tour is an annual event that offers artists in the Bloor West Village, Swansea, High Park and Junction areas a unique opportunity to showcase their talents. This marks the 12th year for this popular weekend attraction, where local artists can display and sell their works to members of the community from the comfort of their own studio or home.Tour dates and times are:• Friday, May 28, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.• Saturday, May 29, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.• Sunday, May 30, 11:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.Any artists interested in being included in the tour should contact John Lynch 416-769-4454 for more information on registration and entry fees. You can also email jlynch@sympatico.ca for a registration form. Please note: Applications are subject to jury approval.

Imam Azhari is holding his first solo art exhibition at The Artist Project show being held the Queen Elizabeth Building at Exhibition Place in Toronto March 4 to 7. Imam is an award-winning trompe l'oeil artist who graduated from The Academy of Realist Art last year.For information on the show, visit www.theartistprojecttoronto.com. Hours are 12 to 9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. The opening night preview will be held on Thursday from 7 to 10 p.m. You can also check out Imam's portfolio at www.imamazhari.com.

Part-time ARA student Janet Strayer has recently won first place in The Artist's magazine All Media competition in the digital arts category for her Garlands piece. This haunting picture is part of Janet's Child Out of Time series, a collection of 24 monochromatic digital paintings that explore the concept of childhood as a time of memory, reverie, yearning and hope. Garlands will be featured on the magazine's website as well as the July-August 2010 print issue which will appear on newsstands June 8, 2010.Visitors will have an opportunity to view this intriguing series first hand at the Zack Gallery located at 950 West 41st Ave. (near Oak St.) in Vancouver starting June 9, 2010. You can also see Janet's entire portfolio at www.janetstrayerart.com.