Portrait Class Day One, Student Exhibition Reception

"Jim McConnell, Portrait Study: Day One" work in progress, oil, 16"h x 12"w, ©2016 Jill Banks

Somehow I left what should be a longer post to the last minute. Visit jillbanks.blogspot.com tomorrow for more on today and the opening of the student exhibit. Thanks!

Today was the first day of my Portrait class for the Winter term. Our subject, Jim McConnell, was terrific and inspired some wonderful portrait starts throughout the room. I started with a one-and-a-half-hour demo (this is it) and then had students set up to paint.

It's amazing the difference in how well they get started when they watch the demo and can immediately apply what they learned/witnessed. Great, great starts!

The Awards and Opening reception for the Arts of Great Falls Annual Student Exhibition was last night. More photos, news from this great night to follow tomorrow.

Grace DeLuca accepting her award at the Student Exhibition 2016

An Inspiring Exhibit
Looking at the artwork on the walls and the smiling faces of all those who attended the Saturday reception for the Arts of Great Falls Annual Student Exhibition -- provides stunning confirmation that this school of art, for youth and adults, is one heck of a place.

Each of the exhibitors took the leap of faith to join a class, try their hand, learn, create ... and then present their work to families, friends, strangers.

Artists Lori Goll and Jay Pigeon judged the entries ... a formidable feat ... and here are the results:

YOUTH RECOGNITION
Beginner Class

Teacher Michaela Mansuino with Lilyrose Golden next to here drawing "Looking Pretty"

First Place: "Looking Pretty," Lilyrose Golden, age 8
Second Place: "Colors of the Night," Elliott Dell'Atti, age 9
Honorable Mention: "Question Mark," William Wu, age 12

Intermediate Class

First Place: "Look Into My Eyes," Olivia Fox, age 13
Second Place: "Color Study," Grace DeLuca, age 16
Honorable Mention: "Skulls and Roses," Miriam Burch, age 12

ADULT RECOGNITION

First Place: "Fall Meadow," Cindi Berry
Second Place: "Reflections of a Peach," Erin Moore Thiebert
Third Place: "Kitty," Linda Garden
Honorable Mention: "Deep Down," Gwendolyn Cohen
Honorable Mention: "Pop," Robin Rosner

More photos of individual work and the festivities to come tomorrow.


Student Exhibition
The Annual Student Exhibition for the Arts of Great Falls School is on view.  Annual Student Art Show January 16-30th in the Gallery at 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA click here for details , exhibit hours, etc.

Thanks for reading!

Jill

Phone: 703.403.7435

Email: jill@jillbanks.com
Web: www.JillBanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com  

See the Events page for more info/updates