Cambridgre Street Studios Opening Reception

Cambridge Street Studios, in Philadelphia, was started last year by GCA alum Angela Cunningham.  Angela also teaches part time at the GCA.  This event is on Saturday, March 31.  There is a private reception for donors from 5-6 PM and then it will open to the public from 6-9 PM.  Recent work from the students and faculty will be on display.

new video footage of the GCA & BAA

A view into the cast hall and sculpture studio, where Beaux-Arts Atelier students work alongside those of the Grand Central Academy of Art, the ICAA's fine arts division. Instructors Angela Cunningham and Mason Sullivan guide students in the sister arts of drawing and sculpture as they work from the ICAA's historic plaster cast collection.

News from GCA Alumn Angela Cunningham

"Stephany", by Angela Cunningham, graphite on paper

It's been great to have GCA alum Angela Cunningham back in the cast hall on Tuesday afternoons when she teaches a class for the Beaux-Arts Atelier. She also teaches evening cast drawing at GCA and is busy down in Philadelphia where she started her own school - Cambridge Street Studios. Here is some information on an upcoming workshop down there (click on flyer to enlarge).

2009-2010 Core Scholarship Prizes Announced

We are very pleased to announce GCA’s 2009-2010 scholarship prize winners! The awards are applied towards the following year’s core tuition. In accepting the prize, each student is committing to remain in the core program for the full year.

This year, the Cast and Figure prize winners have tied for first place! Also, this year, a Director’s prize has been awarded for Interdisciplinary Excellence.

Figure Category – First place award of $10,000 to be shared
Angela Cunningham and Colleen Barry

Cast Category - First place award of $10,000 to be shared
David Troncoso and Katie Whipple

Director’s Prize for Interdisciplinary Excellence - $4,000
Will St. John

by Katie Whipple


by David Troncoso


by Angela Cunningham


by Colleen Barry


by Will St. John

The judging committee made up of Edward Minoff, Josh LaRock, Scott Waddell and Camie Davis engaged in fervent debate and had the edifying task of comparing finer points of beauty and excellence from a torrent of beauty and excellence gracing the walls of the South Studio. Here are specific notes from the judges:

Angela's painting and drawing each display an incredibly lifelike and human veneer which reflects a profound knowledge of the interaction between surface form and light. Her modeling has continued to develop aided by her sculptural conception of anatomy and form. Her drawing is subtle, reflecting the strength of her vast understanding of the human figure.

Colleen's penetrating eye seems to go beneath the surface, guided by a powerful command of anatomy: skeletal structure, proportion and balance. The result is apparent in her expert block-ins, which are simultaneously solid and delicate. Her paintings are supported by a masterful control of values, generating a warm glow and exhibiting a deep absorption of the classical aesthetic.

Both Katie and David have shown a tireless dedication to their work. Towards the end of the year, both were still at their easels when the last of the night students departed. Katie's drawings in particular seem to reflect the most thorough understanding of form modeling. David undertook perhaps the most ambitious cast drawing, considering the scale.

Will has done excellent drawings, paintings and sculptures this past year. He has brought a tireless work ethic, a keen eye and a questioning intelligence to these diverse pursuits, and has achieved excellence and subtlety in each of them. As the GCA continues to grow, we look forward to cultivating this spirit of interdisciplinary achievement.

Congratulations to the winners! Also, thank you to all the students who contributed their work to the Student Exhibit hanging in the South Studio during the month of June.

Angela Cunningham Portrait Workshop in Asheville

This summer Angela Cunningham will teach a portrait drawing workshop in Asheville, South Carolina at the Fine Arts League of the Carolinas. This is a great opportunity for anyone in that area to get an introduction to the drawing approach taught here at GCA. Angela is currently finishing up her studies and teaching part time at GCA. She is a recipient of various awards including the Morris and Alma Schapiro Achievement Award in 2009, Art Renewal Center First Place Scholarship Award in 2009, Alfred Ross Achievement Award in 2008.
The workshop will be August 23rd—27th. 10am – 5 pm.


Maria, by Angela Cunningham 2009. Pencil on paper

The class will emphasize the fundamentals of drawing; blocking in and modeling conceptualized form. Students will be encourage to work in a slow, calm, thoughtful approach to gaining a deep understanding of the portrait three dimensionally. Thinking sculpturally will be discussed to make more accurate decisions. This will offer a sort of training ground for the eye where students will learn how far they can push accuracy and carry their drawings to a highly resolved finish.

New Saturday Class

Cast Sculpture taught by Angela Cunningham
starts Saturday March 13^th

Copying from the antique has always been the foundation of a classical sculptor's education. Beginners will start by copying casts of the features of Michelangelo’s David while advanced students approach more complicated casts from our collection. Students are encouraged to advance from the block-in at a slow, calm pace to gain a deeper understanding of classical form, structure, gesture and planes to ultimately arrive at fully rendered sculptures. Click here for more info.

Summer Workshop Schedule

Drawing and Painting workshops for summer 2010 are now open for registration! They range in length from 3-20 days. Go to our website to see all the details, read course descriptions, and find out about the instructors. Sculpture workshops will be posted soon.

Camie Davis will teach portrait painting (July 19-30)


Michael Klein offers flower painting (June 28,29,30)


The summer intensive (May 31-June 25) is taught by Jacob Collins, Colleen Barry, Angela Cunningham, & Will St. John

ARC Scholarship Awards

The Art Renewal Center just announced the winners of their Scholarship awards, which go to students at ARC approved ateliers around the world to help them continue their studies. $30,000 in prizes were awarded to students this year! Congratulations to all the winners. Below are the winning pieces from GCA students.

First Place: $5,000 to Elisabeth Ehmann

Santiago (2009) Graphite and Colored Pencil on Toned Paper, 20x18 inches

First Place: $5,000 to Angela Cunningham

Cast Painting (2009) Oil on Canvas 22 x 18 inches

Second Place: $4,000 to Amelia Landes Taylor

Satyr Hanging From A Nail(2008) Graphite on Paper, 20x16 inches

Second Place: $4,000 to Amelia Landes Taylor

Dancer (2009) Graphite and Chalk on Toned Paper, 20 x 16 inches

Third Place: $2,500 to Gregory Mortenson

Juan Michael (2009), oil on linen, 9"x8", by Gregory Mortenson

Purchase Awards:

Maria (2009) pencil on paper, 8x6 by Angela Cunningham, sold for $1,800.00


Alexandra (2007), graphite on toned paper with white pencil, 20x18, by Elisabeth Ehmann, sold for $2,200.00

Scholarship Winners

We are very pleased to announce the winners of GCA Scholarship Awards for Academic Achievement in 2008 – 2009! The $7,500 and $2,500 prizes for first and second place, respectively, are applied towards the following year’s core tuition.

Figure Category:
1^st Place – Will St. John
2^nd Place – Angela Cunningham

Cast Category:
1^st Place – Carla Crawford
2^nd Place – Emilie Lee

This year’s awards in the figure category were based primarily on a group of figure works. Will’s figure painting over the last year displays a deep understanding of the human form and conveys a mood that transcends academic study while showing a commitment to a classical aesthetic. Angela’s figure drawings are a meditation on form, expertly supported by a foundation of solid anatomy. From her figure drawing to figure sculpture to cast painting, she is developing into the sort of well-rounded artist rarely seen over the past century.

This year’s awards in the cast category were based on the completion of a single spectacular piece. Carla displayed constant focus during class and did some of the best block in and form work seen this year. Emilie chose one of the most difficult casts and inspired us all with her patience and perseverance to bring her piece to successful completion.

Congratulations!
GCA Scholarship Committee

Santiago by Will St. John, 16x20, oil on linen, 2008


Ana Nina, by Angela Cunningham, graphite on paper, 2008


detail of figure sculpture by Angela Cunningham, 2008


Winged Victory by Carla Crawford, graphite on paper, 2008


Laocoon by Emilie Lee, graphite on paper, 2008

end of the year student work, part 2

by Gregory Mortenson


by Gregory Mortenson


by Gregory Mortenson


by Brandon Beckstrom


by Connie Netherton


by Angela Cunningham


by Angela Cunningham


by Connie Netherton


by Sean Russo

casting the sculptures

Here is the sculpture crew working on their casts today:


Danny Grant applying the second layer of plaster


Rebecca Gray with her sculpture encased in plaster


Angela Cunningham cleaning up the seams


Angela Cunningham ready for action


Mark Porter is way behind everyone else, he's just starting the process of inserting thin metal pieces that will create a seam in the cast


Mason Sullivan, making sure everything is under control

Final day of Sculpture before casting

Mason Sullivan's morning sculpture class just had their final day with the model today. Tomorrow they will be learning how to make plaster casts of these sculptures, I'll post more about that soon!


by Mark Porter (detail)


by Angela Cunningham (detail)


by Angela Cunningham


by Rebecca Gray


by Justin Wood


by Danny Grant


by Mark Porter

student work from March classes

Amelia Landes


Brandon Beckstrom


Brandon Beckstrom


Arturo Garcia


Gregory Mortenson


Carol Broman


Arturo Garcia


Gregory Mortenson


Carol Broman

Angela Cunningham