Newsletter Vol.1 No.1

Scalia Portrait Unveiling
Studio Incamminati founder Nelson Shanks (left) and his wife and studio co-founder and Vice-President Leona Shanks were among the guests at a private ceremony in the Supreme Court’s East Conference Room recently for the unveiling of Nelson’s portrait of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.
The ceremony was an unofficial unveiling since, according to court tradition, justices’ portraits are not officially unveiled and hung in the Supreme Court Building until after a justice retires. At far right is Maureen Scalia, wife of the justice.

Photo: Steve Petteway, Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States

Studio Artists Help Red Cross
The works of more than two dozen Studio Incamminati students and instructors shared the stage with studio founder Nelson Shanks as the American Red Cross of Central New Jersey hosted a festive crowd at “An Evening with Maestro Nelson Shanks.” Nineteen works by studio students and instructors were purchased at auction or in the general sale.
     The benefit reception and auction of fine art at the Cherry Valley Country Club, Skillman, N.J. on Nov.18 raised more than $23,000 for Red Cross programs, while offering students a chance to see the business side of the art world.

The Face of Hope
Four Studio Incamminati instructors have been invited by Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) to participate in a groundbreaking research project that aims to give new hope to children suffering cranio-facial conditions. Based on a British program, this first-ever-in-America study matches children with artists who will spend several months creating portraits of the children. According to CHOP Psychologist Dr. Canice Crerand, the research will highlight the experiences of the affected children and concentrate on the beneficial effects of the often-intimate relationship between subject and artist.
    The first phase of the program features Steve Early and Debbie Schafer. Robin Frey and Kerry Dunn will participate in a subsequent phase. All were chosen, not just for their artistic talent, but for their sensitivity to the subject matter.
     The hospital’s Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery program is one largest in the country and treats children in the region, nationally and worldwide.

A Letter from the Executive Director...
Sometimes the most ordinary days turn out to be extraordinary. One day last summer during one of our new educator workshops, I was assisting one of the attendees, an art teacher from the Creative and Performing Arts in Philadelphia. During a routine transaction, I asked her how she liked the workshop so far. She slowly turned her head and gazed directly into my eyes in a most serious manner. My initial instinct was “Why did I ask her? I’m sure this is not going to be good”.
However, after catching her breath a minute and in the most sincere manner, she said, “I do not want to sound dramatic, but attending the workshop at Studio Incamminati has been truly life-changing experience.”

After I collected my thoughts, I thanked her very much for her kind and inspirational words. This small, but extraordinary exchange reminded me of the power of art education and the opportunity that ateliers and other like-minded organizations around the world to have a positive impact on our culture. And, I know that we had forged a new friendship.
Signature

Jay Pennie
Executive Director

Special Visitor
In what she described as a “gift to herself”, Nane Annan, wife of former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, spent several days in October painting still-life studies at Studio Incammaniti. Annan, a Swedish-born lawyer and women's-issues activist, studied under Nelson Shanks in the 1980s at the Art Students League in New York City.

Nane Annan (center) enjoyed painting and discussions.
Photo: Studio Incamminati

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Portraitists Coming
Studio Incamminati plans a rousing welcome for 1,000 members of the Portrait Society of America at their 10th annual “Art of the Portrait” conference in Philadelphia, April 10-13, 2008. Conference visitors are invited to an exclusive unveiling of Nelson Shanks’ latest painting and exhibition of his selected works. Incammaniti artists and instructors also welcome visitors to a reception and tour of the newly renovated studio.

Reaching Out to Young Artists A re-energized outreach to school-age artists, led by Director of Educational Services Andy Yannelli, has opened a new world of art to area youths through a variety of innovative programming. The Emerging Artists Program enjoyed a successful kickoff in September. This unique endeavor offers an opportunity for dedicated high-school students to learn the fundamentals of life drawing and painting in a traditional atelier environment while they develop a portfolio. The young artists come from the Northeast, Roxborough, Frankford, Masterman, Archbishop Ryan, Cardinal O Hara, Creative and Performing Arts and Girls high schools and from New Jersey. A highlight is a visit to Nelson Shanks’ private studio where he displays works in progress and conducts a question and answer session. In January, Incamminati artists begin an innovative eight-week “Artist-in-Residency” program with Northeast High School. Funded by a grant from the 5-County Arts Fund, a program of the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts and supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and PECO, the program reaches students in Advanced Placement and art majors. On Jan. 11, art teachers from around the Philadelphia School District will attend an in-service day, touring the studio and attending an instructor demonstration. Meanwhile, plans are already in place for Art Educator's Workshops in summer 2008. These workshops - Still Life Painting and Portrait Painting Workshop - help art teachers at the elementary- through high-school levels hone skills they bring back to their classrooms.	Making the workshops even more valuable, the content addresses Pennsylvania Academic and National Standards for Arts Education and enables the teachers to earn up to 30 hours of Pennsylvania Department of Education continuing education credits. In October, Yannelli attended the Pennsylvania Art Educators conference in Scranton, Pa., where he met with teachers from across the commonwealth and shared details of Studio Incamminati offerings for teachers and their students.

	Slide show at www.studioincamminati.org/youth Photo: Studio Incamminati

		Extremely Fine Makeover Studio Incamminati’s progress takes on a very visible characteristic in January when the expanded and renovated space on the fifth-floor opens. Needed to accommodate growing enrollment and workshop participation, the 5,100-plus square feet more than doubles the current second-floor studio space. But, more than just sheer size, the new area features an outdoor courtyard and an open-space layout that allows a wide variety of artist set-ups. Perhaps, the most exciting aspect comes from the large windows admitting large amounts of that most precious artists’ resource - north light.
	Slide show at www.studioincamminati.org/renovations Photo: Studio Incamminati