School for Contemporary Realist Art Vol.4 No.1 Winter 2011 Russian flair charms gala crowd Art tour beckons ussian culture, in all its vibrant color and —and celebrate—Nelson Shanks’ solo Russian n celebration of Nelson’s historic exhibition, Remotional richness, took center stage at exhibition in spring 2011. IStudio Incamminati is offering a chance The Union League of Philadelphia’s plush The Russian Museum in St. Petersburg, to see the exhibition—and help the studio. Lincoln and McMichael rooms as nearly 200 followed by The Russian Academy of Arts The “To Russia, With Love” art tour is an persons enjoyed Studio Incamminati’s third in Moscow, will play host to more than 45 exclusive custom-designed travel program for annual benefit gala “To Russia, With Love,” works by Shanks. He is one of a select few living Oct. 22. American artists to be invited to display his Visit the Of course, there was the quiet elegance work. Gala guests were treated to 18 paintings, exclusive of traditional caviar and vodka. But, there 10 newly painted, which will be part of the tour website for photos, were also the frenetic excitement of whirling exhibitions. The event was chaired by Dan and travel facts Cossack dancers and ringing Balalaikas. All of Dr. Monica DiLella and co-chairs Frank and and the latest that served as the perfect backdrop to preview Dottie Giordano. ◆ tour news. Studio Incamminati friends. Two versions of a spectacular eight-night tour take travelers to Moscow and St. Petersburg, culminating with the private opening of Nelson Shanks’ exhibition at the Russian Museum. www.StudioIncamminatiRussianArtTour.com or contact Lesley Ford at The CTP Group Gala guests thrilled to artwork, Russian delicacies and entertainment at 818-444-2703 or [email protected] ◆ 1. From left, Leona Shanks, High-level gathering Frank and Dottie Giordano, Nelson Shanks, Monica and t was a breathtaking view—46 stories in Dan DiLella, and hosts Tom Ithe air—that thrilled special guests who and Linda Knox attended a private pre-gala reception at the new residence of Tom and Linda Knox at the 2. Linda Knox with Lily, who also seemed to enjoy Residences at Two Liberty Place ◆ the event. Once again, a reminder of art that inspires lthough it always is a great honor working Nelson’s historic Russian exhibition of designed travel packages were created especially Awith the many talented artists at Studio 48 works of art—including many works never for friends and colleagues of Studio Incamminati Incamminati, sometimes, caught up in the seen before—travels to The Russian Museum and they include a tax-deductible contribution day-to-day crush of business, I don’t fully in St. Petersburg and The Russian Academy of to continue our educational mission. See appreciate what is here. However, it’s never Arts in Moscow. Few American artists hold the www.StudioIncamminatiRussianArtTour.com, long before I am reminded of how special this honor of such an exhibition. for the latest information. The tour is a once- place is. The most recent example comes from I know many of you are planning to travel in-a-lifetime opportunity to sample the rich Nelson Shanks, our artistic leader, who is now to Russia. If you are, in celebration of this great cultural traditions of Russia with Nelson, an in the midst of preparing for an historic one- achievement, we invite you to join us on our international treasure from our own backyard. man exhibition in Russia. “To Russia, With Love” art tour. Two custom- Executive Director Studio Incamminati welcomes your support. For information, please call Executive Director Jay Pennie at 215.592.1918. 340 NORTH 12TH STREET ■ SUITE 400 ■ PHILADELPHIA, PA 19107 ■ www.StudioIncamminati.org ■ 215 . 592 . 7910 Meet our new artists MARY ORR Previous life: Designer and illustrator ach group of new artists brings its own stories. In many ways, the ary says it was the new Part-time Professional Estories are different: one was a marine, one a federal prosecutor, one a MProgram that made it possible to juggle family house painter. But always, they share the passion to pursue their art. They responsibilities and the passion to paint. The community come to Studio Incamminati because it was the one place that satisfied of students and teachers has been key to advancing her the desire to learn not only theory but the skills needed to achieve skills. “Their willingness to share their knowledge and skills,” she says, “in a very supportive environment has meaningful art. been inspiring.” LESLIE BOHN SIMMY PELL Previous life: In graphic design and the fashion industry Previous life: Full-time mom, tennis instructor eslie was drawn to Studio Incamminati after her immy, one of the first members of the new Part-time husband came across the school on an Internet L Professional Program, loves the “total immersion in search. But, it was an Open House visit that clinched the S studio environment” enabling her to “laser focus.” She deal for the Norristown, PA resident. “As soon as I saw says the required work in charcoal has given her a shot of the student work,” she says, “I wanted to come here.” She confidence and she is looking forward to carrying over finds daily motivation from seeing the improvement in her new skills to her paintings. her work and that of fellow students. BARBARA LEWIS RACHEL PIERSON Previous life: Professional artist; occasional teacher Previous life: Federal prosecutor, mother of three arbara found herself at a plateau in her artistic career hough she lived 170 miles away in Virginia, the Band needing help, she says she was unable to find Tmoment she received the email announcing the elsewhere. Barbara, who lives in Doylestown, PA, credits Part-time Professional Program, Rachel knew she was the new part-time program with making it possible to headed for Studio Incamminati. “The commitment to attend Studio Incamminati. “I have not regretted the teaching, plus world-class talent in their own right,” she decision,” she says. says, “makes the faculty the best in the world.” DAVID MAHLMAN RICHELLE SHELTON Previous life: Artist, house painter Previous life: Graphic designer, design patent examiner avid, from Philadelphia, says the realization his life ichelle, who loved the teaching in an Intensive would change hit him when he was informed of D Painting workshop she attended, decided to his acceptance into the Full-time Professional Program R commit to the Full-time Professional Program. She is “I thought about all the intense training under such continually inspired by the artwork on the studio walls talented artists,” he says. “I couldn't wait for the semester which, she says, “keeps me encouraged as evidence of the to start.” His understanding of the steps in developing a studio curriculum’s success.” drawing, he says, has been a revelation. ANDREW McMANUS JUDITH ST. LEDGER-ROTY Previous life: US Marine Corps sergeant Previous life: Attorney he walls of art during a studio tour convinced udith had come to the conclusion she needed the Andrew this was the place for him. “Most other T assistance of skilled painters/teachers to achieve her places would consider work like this exceptional,” the J personal artistic goals. Judith, a Virginia resident, says Philadelphia resident says, “at Incamminati the exceptional the emphasis on abstract shape and their relationship to is commonplace. Each class has meant different concepts, one another has “freed me to see form and gesture more materials, techniques, aesthetics and that has left me far accurately and quickly.” better equipped to make successful paintings.” BARBARA MOQUIN ADELBERT YUPARI Previous life: Artist and internet sales impresario Previous life: Student, Maryland Institute College of Art hile attending a winter workshop several years ccording to Adelbert, a visit to the school had ago, Barbara says she “knew attending the school W him “full of joy to see that people actually cared was for me,” and made the move from her home in A about drawing and painting.” He enjoys the simple, central Pennsylvania. And, she hasn’t been disappointed. logical steps that progress to the complex. “I love the “To work in such an intense, hands-on environment and process. The knowledge the instructors have given me is receive thorough teaching,” she says, has made a dramatic incredible.” impact on her artwork. STUDIO INCAMMINATI NEWS ■ VOLUME FOUR, NUMBER One ■ Winter 2011 340 NORT Annual exhibition comes to Center City Artist Accolades he Artists of Studio Incamminati show host Michael Smerconish leading a Royal nstructor Kerry Dunn's portrait “Matt” TExhibition, already a much-anticipated Wedding discussion with CBS British royal Iwas awarded First Prize in the 2010 look at some of the affairs commentator Patrick Jephson and Her Laumeister Fine Art Competition at the best in contemporary Majesty's Honorary Consul, Oliver St. Clair Bennington Center for the Arts. Nearly 50 realist art, on April Franklin, OBE. entries from around the world were accepted 15–21 becomes Passersby on Chestnut Street get an into the juried competition including work by the backdrop for entertaining glimpse of the creative process Studio Incamminati instructor JaFang Lu. The a series of exciting when Studio Incamminati artists perform live works also were on exhibit at the Bennington, events ranging from -model painting demonstrations in Freeman’s VT center. a Nelson Shanks storefront windows throughout the week. • master painting The Shanks link with the royal family goes demonstration to back decades to Nelson Shanks painting the International Artist magazine featured a tribute of the original portrait of Diana that still hangs in the Instructor Lea Wight in conjunction with her upcoming royal royal family home, Althorp. That experience role as faculty member at the Portrait Society of America’s Art of the Portrait conference, wedding between Freeman's Auctioneers & led to a close friendship with the princess.