Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts Announces Summer Programs

"We wanted to reengage the community that continues to be so supportive of the arts and ensure we are providing the high-caliber and important types of arts instruction and education this community has come to expect," said Marguerite d’Aprile Quigley, director of the Center for Arts Programming, adding that creating offerings in adult and community art education and engagement is what led to the founding of the institution.

The summer programs are just the first part of a new community outreach program at the college that will include opportunities for advanced and entry-level artists and a wide variety of arts appreciation courses.

"Providing unparalleled experiences interacting with the arts and art instruction are our goals" said Quigley. Class sizes in studio courses are limited in order to provide students with significant and meaningful contact time with the faculty. The classes will be taught in the college’s studios that are known for artist-centered design. Several course offerings will make use of Lyme Academy College’s state-of-the art media lab, which features the latest technology and software.

"Courses have been designed to offer the community with in-depth instruction paired with exceptional faculty. The quality of our offerings, combined with unparalleled artist educators provide a great opportunity for students of any ability to learn more about art in a supportive, artistic environment," said Quigley.

Classes offered for adults include:

• Sunset Painting en plein air, Tuesdays from 5 to 8 p.m. from July 7 - August 4 will take place of the campus’ greatest asset—the surroundings of the CT River and shoreline areas around the College. The class will be taught by Michael Viera, a Lyme Academy College alumnus who has won awards from the National Arts Club in New York and The New Haven Paint and Clay Club, where his work is part of the permanent collection.

• Landscape Drawing from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday through Friday, July 6-10. This drawing workshop will mine the diverse topography and atmospheric conditions that have drawn artists to the Old Lyme region for more than a hundred years. The class will be taught by Nancy Gladwell, two-time recipient of the Greenshield’s Memorial Grant, who is the Faculty Council chair and associate professor of   painting at Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts.

• Master Class on Monotypes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays from July 15 – Aug. 12 brings students into one of the hidden gems of the College- the campuses beautifully equipped print shop. Master printer Nancy Friese, a member of the National Academy (Museum and School in New York City) and winner of three National Endowment for the Arts Fellowships will run this master class.

• Figure Drawing on Wednesdays July 15 to Aug. 12 from 1-4 p.m. is the classic course representing the very essence of Lyme Academy College. This course sees the return of Jerry Weiss, an accomplished figurative, landscape and portrait painter and writer who is represented in numerous private and public collections.

• Photographing the Natural World, July 20-24 daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with Robert Rattner will teach students the ins and outs of getting that perfect nature photograph and then editing it in the digital darkroom. Robert Rattner is a noted documentary, nature, and underwater photographer whose images from more than 60 countries have appeared in hundreds of magazines worldwide, including The New York Times Magazine, National Geographic and Smithsonian.  He is a curator of photography at the University of New Haven.

• Expressive Photography and Landscape Photography with a lecture from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 30 and an artist intensive workshop from Friday, July 31 to Sunday Aug. 2 is an amazing experience where students will learn how to use their camera as an artist’s tool to create expressive photography masterpieces. This exceptional workshop will be taught by Joe Standart, an award-winning photographer, director and internationally known artist.

For the first time, Lyme Academy College will host a series of open critiques on Mondays June 15, July 20 and Aug. 17 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Nancy Gladwell will lead the critiques along with other visiting artists in a social atmosphere on the grounds of Lyme Academy College’s campus. Artists at all levels are invited to bring their work, but pre-registration is required.

In addition to the classes, workshops, critiques, Lyme Academy College will present a marquee exhibition by the nationally renowned artist T. Allen Lawson, who is a distinguished alumnus of Lyme Academy College. The exhibition will be on view July 9 – Aug. 7. Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Finally, a long standing tradition continues every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. where artists are welcome to come and draw a live model at the open figure drawing sessions. Students at any level are welcome to take advantage of short and longer poses that encourage flexibility in a craft so essential to drawing. No registration is required but there is a $15 fee per session (area high school students are free with an ID).

For questions and more information about the courses and programs, including fees and supplies needed, contact Quigley at mdaprilequigley@lymefs.newhaven.edu or register online at: http://www.lymeacademy.edu/index.php/community-engagement/summer-adult-courses/

About Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts

Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts is a college of the University of New Haven. Its mission is to educate aspiring artists through a rigorous studio curriculum rooted in figurative and representational art. The college offers a comprehensive liberal arts education essential for advanced critical and creative thought. For more information, visit www.lymeacademy.edu.
The University of New Haven is a private, top-tier comprehensive institution recognized as a national leader in experiential education. Founded in 1920 the university enrolls approximately 1,800 graduate students and more than 4,600 undergraduates.