Another Stellar Student/Instructor Exhibition at the Great Lakes Academy of Fine Art

This is a photo of the interior when it was first being
considered for purchase and renovation.

Last night I attended the Great Lakes Academy of Fine Art's 2021 Student/Instructor Exhibition and what a rewarding evening. The progress these young artists have made is impressive, and the lifting of Minnesota's "Mask Mandate" a couple days ago made it especially rewarding. It was great to see actual smiles rather than just twinkling eyes.

The art school is located at 810 West 3rd Street here in Duluth, a former Catholic church. What follows are some of the photos I took, though there was much, much more to see than you see here. The Open House will continue today so drop in if you are able.

Portraits by Kelly Schamberger

Painting of Jeffrey T Larson teaching painting.

Same painting, with last night's open house guests in foreground

Perseverance, by Patrick Glander. Oil on canvas.

Four paintings by Jake Tremble

Cherub by Nelia Harper

Coffee Plate by Patrick Glander

Vintage by Jeffrey T. Larson

Mastering basic skills.

Reproducing forms while learning to see color values.

Brutus Bargue Copy by Austin Jasurda

Green Plate by Patrick Glander

Kelly Schamberger, Self Portrait at 35

For more information about the Great Lakes Academy, visit 

www.greatlakesacademyoffineart.com

Catalyst Documentary Features Great Lakes Academy of Fine Art Founder Jeffrey Larson

Great Lakes Academy--Main hall.

The Catalyst Content Festival is approaching fast, now under three weeks away. In addition to meetings, training workshops and networking, a central feature of events of this type is the screening of films, or in this case, films and podcasts, scripts and pitches. Everything from drama series, short film, documentary and comedy will be showcased.

As I looked through the offerings I noticed there's a short documentary about Jeffrey T. Larson, the artist who with his son co-founded the Great Lakes Academy of Fine Art. (GLAFA) The school has now entered its fourth year and its students have been producing phenomenal work. (Here is link to their third Student/Instructor Exhibition last spring.)

Painting by Larson

The short film is titled, simply Jeffrey T. Larson. You can watch the trailer here.

I believe I first met Jeffrey Larson when he gave a talk at the Tweed Museum of Art the summer before the GLAFA was opened. In retrospect it seemed clearly designed to raise awareness that something big was emerging on the West Hillside here in Duluth. At the end of their first year they held an open house weekend in which their first year students were showcased. This practice has continued each spring.

Detail from larger piece.

Detail from painting "Heidi"

In similar fashion, artist Jeffrey T. Larson has reproduced a passion for painting in his son Brock and together they have undertaken an enterprise that goes far beyond making art. After much deliberation they have undertaken to start a world-class art school here in the Twin Ports on Duluth's West Central Hillside.

The photos on the page feature Larson's painting, the school and students at work. Between the GLAFA, the Homegrown Music Festival, Duluth Dylan Fest, DuSu Film Festival, Grandma's Marathon, Blues Fest, and now the Catalyst Content Festival--not to mention the exceptional beauty of our lake and region--we've got some seriously great foundations being laid to make Duluth a premiere cultural center of sorts.

Thank you to all of the artists and people who have worked to make these things possible. We, the community, are the beneficiaries. How cool is that?

Larson is fascinated with objects....

* * * *

Detail

...and Light, and People.

Related Links
Megan McGarvey and Katie Lindow Discuss Outsourced, Their Documentary Film About a Decision at UWS
The Changing Face of Post-Production for Movie Makers
Catalyst Content Documentary Selections
Catalyst Festival Home Page
Jeffrey T Larson Documentary Trailer 

Weekend Open House Shows Why the Great Lakes Academy of Fine Art Is a Gift to Our Community

Friday evening at the GLAFA  (Photo courtesy Ramona Marozas)

Tricycle by Jeffrey T. Larson

How does light work? How does perception work? How do we synthesize everything in our minds to form images of the material world? Light reflects off the surfaces of things, yet we do not see the light waves moving through space as it strikes the surface of things. How is it, too, that while our eyes are in motion everything appears fixed in time and substantial. We move about within a space and yet the room doesn't move with us, unless you've had too much to drink. Why do colors shift when the light is brighter or more restrained?

Photo courtesy Ramona Marozas

The Great Lakes Academy of Fine Art is having its second annual student/instructor exhibition this weekend. The school uses a method of teaching that was developed in the 17th century called the Atelier method. Students spend hours every day drawing a two-dimensional reproduction of a 3-D object using techniques that enable them to accurately depict reality. The first year is devoted to drawing and learning to see. The second year students also begin painting, but it is not till year three that they introduce color to their paintings. Next year's open house is expected to be a yet more vibrant one as second year students look forward to the broadening of their pallets.

The images here are from this weekend's open house, which continues today for several hours, from noon till three. After that the students and instructors will break for the summer. Jeffrey T. Larson and son Brock are looking forward to a painting trip to the mountains of Colorado later in the week. And the students look forward to seeing what new themes will spring from their own imaginations, with more advanced skillsets for translating their visions to reality.

Co-founders Jeffrey T. and Brock Larson (Ramona M photo)

Ramona M, right and center. w/ artist Daralyn Berg Peifer

Showing how it's done when working from real life.

Photo of student by Ramona M.

Early in evening. Students eager to share their achievements with friends
family and fans.

Friday evening was another stellar open house for the school. I paid a visit Saturday afternoon to grab some of the photos here and offer my best wishes to the students who have clearly demonstrated their willingness to commit to a very demanding regimen. The proof of the pudding is in the eating they say... They have achieved new levels of eye-hand coordination, learned new ways of seeing, and have promising futures. I can hardly wait till next year.

REMINDER: Doors will be open this afternoon from noon till three. Take advantage of this opportunity to get inspired.

Related Links
How the Eye Sees
The Atelier

Almost Wordless Wednesday: Impressions from the National Gallery and a Local Exhibition Worth Checking Out

Gustave Caillebotte's Skiffs. Note the visual techniques that create depth.

What was it about the Impressionist movement that has made it so significant? Part of its power comes from the artists' fascination with light. Another part of its power comes from its influence on modernism, being the soil from which the seeds of modernism sprang.

The National Gallery's wonderful collection includes a strong body of work from the most influential French Impressionists. There was nothing formulaic in their work. They painted what they saw, and for a painter like Monet as his eyesight failed due to cataracts he never ceased from painting his visions of light and shadow, color schemes and dreamy scenes. In preparation for my flight back from out east last month I downloaded Mad Enchantment: Claude Monet and the Painting of the Water Lilies to my Kindle, which I subsequently enjoyed all the more having stood in the presence of some of his paintings only days before.

Palazzo da Mula, Venice. Claude Monet.

The Japanese Footbridge. Monet

Mound of Butter. Antoine Vollon.

The Artist's Garden at Vetheuil. Claude Monet.

Woman with Parasol. Claude Monet

Rouen Cathedral, West Facade. Claude Monet

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EdNote: LATER THIS MONTH The Great Lakes Academy of Fine Art is hosting their first Annual Student/Instructor Exhibition where they will be showcasing their students first year curriculum and also lead you through what an atelier style of classical art training looks like. The Great Lakes Academy is a wonderful addition to our blossoming arts community. In addition to examples of students' work they will also show  pieces by instructors Jeffrey T. and Brock Larson and Brock.

As I drove by the school Monday evening I felt stirred to visit again soon. Then yesterday I found an invitation to their upcoming show in my inbox. Serendipity?

The Larsons are eager to not only showcase the work of their students, but to show the progress that has been made in the renovation of the building, the old St. Peter's Church on West 3rd Street. Here are the hours. Mark your calendar.

May 26th, 5pm - 9pm
May 27th, 1pm - 8pm
May 28th, 1pm - 5pm

Follow Great Lakes Academy on Facebook here.

Meantime, art goes on all around you. Open your eyes. There's always more to see.