2014, Summer - Studio Incamminati

School for Contemporary Realist Art
Vol.7 No.2
Summer 2014
Help us Celebrate Summer Solstice in grand style
T
Celebrate Summer Solstice
he longest day of
year is poised to be
one of the best, as Studio
Incamminati and its friends
and supporters “Celebrate
Summer Solstice” for the
benefit of the school.
4 p.m. June 22
Laurier Estate, in Pennsylvania’s Main Line
Exhibition continues through July 2
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Individual sponsors:
Sponsored by:
Co-sponsored by:
In-kind contributors:
“VIOLINIST” by Nelson Shanks; oil on canvas; 2014
On Sunday, June 22, guests
will gather at “Laurier,” one
of the last grand Main
Line estates and one rarely
seen by the public, to
celebrate summer’s arrival
and the work of Studio
Laurier, an 18th-century French-style
chateau resembles the Petit Trianon on
Incamminati. Among stately
the grounds of Versailles.
formal gardens, they will
enjoy delicious food and
drink and watch the school’s artists paint the Artists and Alumni of Studio Incamminati’s Art
fabulous landscape, historic interiors and a live Exhibition and Sale at Freeman’s Auctioneers
model. Then, they will party with live music, & Appraisers in Center City Philadelphia. Sip
bid on great prizes during live and silent benefit champagne at the private preview party while
auctions and meet the most fascinating people discussing painting and drawing with Studio
around. One of them, Joseph Rishel, the Gisela Incamminati artists and alumni including
and Dennis Alter Senior Curator of European Founders Nelson and Leona Shanks. The
Paintings and Sculpture and curator of the exhibition and sale continues through July 2.
Rodin Museum at the Philadelphia Museum
Long after the winter winds begin to blow, the
of Art, will receive Studio Incamminati’s 2014
memory of these special summer events will
Founder’s Award for his lifelong contributions
warm your heart. For tickets and information
to the arts.
call 215-592-1918.
Just two days later, on June 24, the celebration
continues with the opening reception of the
Artists and Alumni of Studio Incamminati
exhibition and sale
Private champagne preview
5 p.m. June 24
Freeman’s Auctioneers & Appraisers
1808 Chestnut St.
Philadelphia, PA
Ruth M. and Tristram C. Colket, Jr.
Ms. Barbara M. Donnelly and Dr. Lamberto Bentivoglio
Frank and Dottie Giordano
Mr. and Mrs. Michael and Susan Petrone
Richard and Bonnie Rossello
Nelson and Leona Shanks
Richard A. Sprague and Edith B. Magaziner
®
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 ■ StudioIncamminati.org ■ 215 . 592 . 7910
Artist accolades
It was a busy time recently for Teaching
Fellow Natalie Italiano. Her portrait of the
late Philadelphia Judge Anthony Defino
was unveiled at a City Hall memorial service
packed with several hundred of the judge’s
family, friends and colleagues. Natalie also
was honored by the Portrait Society of
America as one of only three artists elected
to the society’s new “Signature Status”
which recognizes accomplished artists who
consistently demonstrate a high level of skill
and sophistication. In addition, her “Korean
Child’s Hanbok,” was selected as a Finalist in
International Artist magazine’s “Challenge:
Favorite Subjects.”
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Natalie Italiano poses
with her portrait of
Judge Anthony Defino
at his memorial
service.
Student Jason Jenkins’ work “Bowl of Cherries”
was a finalist in International Art magazines’
Art Prize Challenge for Still Life. He was also
selected as a finalist in the Art Renewal Center’s
2013/14 International Salon Competition.
Jenkins is recognized as an ARC Associate
Living Master by the center.
Student Carolyn Gabbe’s “La Reine” and
“Justin—Contemplation” were accepted into
the Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie’s juried
Ellarslie Open XXXI.
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(l. to r.) BOWL OF CHERRIES; Jason Patrick Jenkins; Oil on canvas; 10 x 15 inches; LA REINE; Carolyn Gabbe; Oil on canvas; 24 x 24
inches; JUSTIN—CONTEMPLATION; Carolyn Gabbe; Oil on canvas; 24 x 16 inches
Instructor Stephen Early’s “Seated Figure” was The Portrait Society of America awarded
featured in “Motus in Figuris,” an exhibition of Certificates of Excellence to Teaching Fellow
contemporary figurative art at Dacia Gallery, Joseph Dolderer’s “Miss Ellie” and Teaching
New York.
Fellow Lea Colie Wight’s, “So Far—Self
Portrait” in the society’s 2014 International
The Philadelphia Sketch Club selected
Portrait Competition.
Instructor Katya Held as its Invitational Artist
for May and hosted her solo show. Meanwhile, Lea Colie Wight, Joseph Dolderer and Kerry
the club’s juried 151st Annual Small Oils show Dunn were among the featured artists in the
accepted “Canton and Mandarin” and “Indian “Celebrating the Portrait as Art” exhibition,
Pot” by student Carolyn Gabbe.
Haynes Galleries, Nashville.
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Student Rachel Pierson’s work “Gabrielle” was
included in the Anatomy Drawing Exhibition
at Howard University.
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(top, l. to r.) CANTON AND MANDARIN;
Carolyn Gabbe; Oil on linen board; 8 x 10
inches; OLD INDIAN POT; Carolyn Gabbe;
Oil on linen board; 9 x 15 inches; MISS ELLIE;
Joseph Dolderer; Oil on linen; 30 x 24 inches;
(btm., l. to r.) Announcement for Katya Held’s
solo show at the Philadelphia Sketch Club;
SO FAR–SELF PORTRAIT; Lea Colie Wight;
Oil on linen; 30 x 24 inches
GABRIELLE;
Rachel Pierson; Oil on linen; 20 x 16 in.
S TUDIO I NCA MMINATI N E WS ■ V OLUME S E VEN , N UMBER T WO ■ S UMMER 2014
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Alumni news
Anne E. Hall’s “Ritual Passage” was awarded
first place in the Atlanta Artists Center
show “Inspirations.”
Snehal Page, who teaches in her native India,
was a finalist in the Art Renewal Center’s
2013/14 International Salon Competition.
Kate Wolfgang Savage‘s work “Grace” was
featured in the show Venice Made, FABstudio,
Santa Monica, CA. Kate, who teaches art in
nearby Venice, was also included in the “Women
Painting Women” exhibition at California
Lutheran University which was part of The
Representational Art Conference 2014. She
shared some Studio Incamminati memories with
Teaching Fellow Alisyn Blake, who delivered a
conference presentation on Face to Face: The
Craniofacial Program Portrait Project.
Diane Rappisi was one of six artists selected
to participate in “Quick Draw,” at the
Western Spirit art show in Cheyenne, WY.
Each of the artists created a painting in 45
minutes which was auctioned to benefit the
CFD Old West Museum. Rappisi is founder
The Atelier
at Castle
Rock.
and
operator
of
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Jason Espey is teaching classes in portrait
painting and painting the figure at The Art
School at Sandy Springs, Atlanta.
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(above) RITUAL PASSAGE, Anne E. Hall, Oil on canvas; 18 x 14 inches;
(below) GRACE; Kate Wolfgang Savage, Oil on canvas; 12 x 12 inches
Music, art share the stage An inside job at
For the fifth consecutive year, art and music The Union League
enjoyed a special night out, as Studio Incamminati
again joined the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra at
its annual gala.
City Paper interviewed Teaching Fellow Peter
Kelsey about his Continuing Education class,
“Drawing and Painting the Human Hand.” Find
it here: citypaper.net/art
Before enjoying a stirring concert from the youth
orchestra’s various divisions, patrons enjoyed a
painting demonstration from Studio Incamminati
artists as well as a painting exhibition and sale.
The event was another career learning experience
for Studio Incamminati artists, giving them the
opportunity to display their work and meet
with patrons.
Artwork sale proceeds support the individual
artists as well as the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra
and Studio Incamminati organizations.
In a project aimed at capturing the intriguing,
historic and often beautiful interiors of The Union
League of Philadelphia, Studio Incamminati
artists spent weeks capturing views from a variety
of settings.
The project, Interior Motives, allowed the
artists to discuss the finer points of the painting
process with Union League visitors. Prints of
the paintings will adorn the Inn at the League’s
rooms and the original paintings will be available
at a Sept. 22 fund-raising auction. That event
benefits the artists, the Lincoln Foundation
and Studio Incamminati. For information:
StudioIncamminati.org/events
1. PYO President and Music Director Maestro
Louis Scaglione, with Studio Incamminati
President Jay Pennie, co-founder Leona
Shanks and board Chairman Frank Giordano.
2.& 3. Studio Incamminati artists warm up the
concert crowd with painting demonstrations.
4. Gala guests browse the artwork.
ARTIST: Christina Rose
340 N ORTH 12 TH S TREET ■ S UITE 400 ■ P HILADELPHIA, PA 19107 ■ StudioIncamminati.org ■ 215 . 5 92 . 7 910
Meet the new board members
John Constable
Caryn Kunkle
John Constable, an investment manager at Constable Partners, L.P., has
enjoyed a long and successful career in finance.
Caryn Kunkle is founder and executive director of The Philadelphia
Salon, which works to connect local artists to local resources in personal
and direct ways. Kunkle has had a wideHe attended Loyola University with a concentration in finance and
ranging
career in the arts including
graduated from Harvard University’s extension program with a
serving
at the National Portrait
concentration in the History of Science. At Harvard, he financed his
Gallery, Washington, DC, where she
education by working for Harvard Management in arbitrage.
was a gallery educator, and at Galerie
He was an arbitrage analyst with Lafer, Amster and Plaza Securities,
L’Enfant as executive assistant. At the
a research analyst with the investment advisory firm of Ruane,
Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, she
Cunniff & Co., and manager of the Sequoia Fund. He also served
served as artist assistant for the Richard Wright School Project acting as
as senior analyst and portfolio manager at Central Nationalproject manager and artist. She also worked as executive assistant to the
Gottesman Inc.
program’s director of art education, organizing and editing publications,
John has served on the board and Finance Committee of The publicizing gallery shows and arranging and hanging student shows. In
Academy of Natural Sciences and on the board of Arboretum of the addition, she served as interim assistant director of art education.
Barnes Foundation.
She holds a double BFA in Painting and Drawing from Kutztown
University, where she was valedictorian, and has done graduate work at
The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.
Nelson Shanks gives the budding artist “W” an “A” for effort
While Nelson Shanks the painter is often in
the spotlight, recently it was Nelson Shanks
the teacher getting the lion’s share of attention.
Nationally recognized commentator Michael
Smerconish—on his Sirius/XM satellite radio
show and then in his Philadelphia Inquirer
column—sought Shanks’ informed opinion
on the artwork of former president George W.
Bush. In retirement, Bush has taken up painting. An exhibition of Bush’s paintings of world
to handle these materials and do things with
color and light and drawing that allow any kind
of mental expansion eventually that are possible
. . . If you follow the procedures the right way,
Shanks, Studio Incamminati’s founder and you can be an extraordinary creative artist and
artistic director, gave “W” an “A” for effort, add a great deal to the picture.”
while admitting Bush could use some training.
leaders, “The Art of Leadership: A President’s
Personal Diplomacy” was presented at the
George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum at Southern Methodist University, Dallas.
“He needs to go to the basics,” Shanks said,
“because if you don’t have the feet squarely on
the ground you can’t walk or run. . . The ability
Nelson Shanks painting his first portrait of Margaret, The
Lady Thatcher in his London studio, 1994.
Portraits of former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf (detail, left) and of the Dalai Lama
(right) by former president George W. Bush were part of the exhibition of world leaders.
S TUDIO I NCA MMINATI N E WS ■ V OLUME S E VEN , N UMBER T WO ■ S UMMER 2014
Making sure the
kids are all right
S
tudio Incamminati artists have always been
about sharing. It is part of the school’s
mission and it is embraced by students and
instructors alike. That’s why it’s especially
gratifying to see the mission in action helping
young people—and in very different ways.
First, seeing the achievements of highschool students at our partner Doane Academy
during a recent exhibition is remarkable. This
innovative venture with the Burlington, NJ,
school enables two of our faculty to develop
and implement an intensive drawing and
painting program at Doane five days a week.
Just as gratifying as seeing the exhibition’s
quality artwork was seeing the sense of
accomplishment on the students’ faces and
their display of pride that provides benefits
well beyond the art room and their display of
pride that provides benefits well beyond the
art room.
Second, we recently had the privilege of
working with the teachers and students at
Urban Promise high school in Camden, NJ,
Ten of our graduates volunteered their time and
studio space to paint the portraits of the school’s
senior class. The relationship that develops
between the artist and the sitter—while always
unique—was especially inspiring here. It was
truly a joy to meet such amazing young people.
Despite facing many hardships including lack
of opportunity in their community, they each
displayed such grace, charm, intelligence and
the “inner beauty” we believe can only be
brought to life on a canvas. We look forward to
continuing these relationships and developing
many more in the future.
High school partnership
takes center stage at exhibition
A
school year filled with hard work and
challenging ideas came to fruition recently
as high-school art students at Doane Academy,
celebrated their work with Studio Incamminati
teachers at a Visual Arts Exhibition and
Reception at the academy in Burlington, NJ.
The innovative partnership between
the two schools assures that Doane students
receive the finest instruction in the basics of
life drawing and painting in the same way these
principles are taught at Studio lncamminati.
The instructors bring a wealth of expertise, not
only as seasoned art educators but as acclaimed
working artists.
The benefits, however, go way beyond
the studio. Other areas of study also are
strengthened since research shows such skills as
meticulous observation and critical thinking,
which are sharpened at the easel and drawing
board, carry across the curriculum.
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Doane Academy students enjoy
art instruction based on Studio
Incamminati curriculum principles.
Urban Promise students enjoy special senior portraits
F
or most high school seniors, senior portrait
day is a long wait in line and a few minutes
in front of a photographer.
Not for the students at Urban Promise, the
Camden high school which works to provide
youths with the skills necessary for academic
achievement, life management, spiritual
growth, and Christian leadership.
These seniors had their portraits painted
by Studio Incamminati artists in one-session
sittings called Alla Prima. It was a two-way
opportunity: The artists gained a chance to
practice their painting skills and the students
learned all that goes into creating a painting.
Consider these partnerships with our
newly expanded summer Emerging Artists
programs, and our commitment to reaching
youth is very clear.
Sincerely,
President
340 N ORTH 12 TH S TREET ■ S UITE 400 ■ P HILADELPHIA, PA 19107 ■ StudioIncamminati.org ■ 215 . 5 92 . 7 910
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Board of Directors
Frank Giordano, Chairman
Deborah Webster, Secretary
Charles Davidson, Vice-chairman
School for Contemporary Realist Art
Louis Scaglione, Treasurer
340 North 12th Street ■ Suite 400
James R. Abbott, Ph.D.
Dr. Romeo S. Abella
Philadelphia, PA 19107
John Chionchio
John Constable
Barbara M. Donnelly, C.P.M., A.P.P.
Dottie Giordano
Sandra Goldberg
Alvin Holm, A.I.A.
Albert Baker Knoll
Caryn Kunkle
Edith B. Magaziner
James L. McCabe, Ph.D.
Marc R. Nicoletti
Salvatore Patti
Susan E. T. Petrone
Joseph J. Rishel
Bonnie Rossello
Richard Rossello
Leona Shanks, Co-founder
Nelson Shanks, Founder and Artistic Director
Gary Silvi
Ivan Tancredi
Dr. Linton Whitaker
Marc Mostovoy, emeritus
Studio Incamminati exists to meet the needs of students eager to learn the aesthetic and philosophical techniques and principles of humanist realism.
Doctors make a house call at the studio
A
rt and science got a bit closer as Studio Incamminati hosted an evening of painting for plastic surgeons
and residents from The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the Edwin and Fannie Gray Hall
Center for Human Appearance at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. The doctors received
a hands-on introduction to the Studio Incamminati curriculum from studio founder Nelson Shanks and
instructor Stephen Early, creating
a painting from a live model.
The organizations already have
collaborated on the innovative Face
to Face: The Craniofacial Program
Portrait Project.
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From left back row, Dr. John Fischer,
Dr. Jason Yu, Dr. Joseph Serletti, chief of
plastic surgery, Penn Medicine;
Dr. Linton Whitaker, founder and director
of the Center for Human Appearance and
Professor of Plastic Surgery Emeritus;
Dr. Jesse Taylor; Dr. Catherine Chang;
Dr. Fares Samra; Dr. Jonas Nelson
Front, Dr. Oksana Jackson, Dr. David Low
Dr. Linton Whitaker and Nelson Shanks
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Studio Incamminati is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design and is recognized
as a nonprofit organization under Chapter 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.