A Roundup of Recent International Competition Achievements by FAA Alumni

Dear Patrons,

Thank you for your support and Happy New Year! Looking back on the past year, artists of The FAA Collective (graduates, faculty, and students of The Florence Academy of Art) had an amazing go in the international fine art competition circuit! Back in October we shared an Eye on the Community highlighting the achievements of FAA Collective Artists in the competitions of the year to date.

Before we step too far into 2023, we would like to present you with the exceptional works by FAA Collective community members who were awarded as finalists and winners in various categories for their paintings, drawings, and sculptures in 2022 and early 2023.

Below you will be able to view artworks by FAA artists who were selected to exhibit in the Society of Portrait Sculptors FACE 2022 Exhibition, the Oil Painters of America Fall Showcase, the Portrait Society of America’s 2022 Members Only Competition.

Stay tuned for a brand new feature all about the Art Renewal Center’s 16th Salon Competition and 2022 Scholarship Competition, as well as read some words from the artists themselves about their selected pieces.

A hearty congratulations to all of our awarded artists!

Portrait Society of America

2022 Members Only Competition

The Portrait Society of America (PSA) is a registered charity, formed as an educational organization dedicated to furthering the traditions of fine art portraiture and figurative art through programs and publications. In fall of 2022 they held the 18th annual Members Only Portrait Competition, and we are pleased to share that FAA graduate Carla Paine received First Place in the Non-Commissioned Portrait category for her painting Girl Seated in a Rocking Chair!

To learn more about the PSA please visit: www.portraitsociety.org

Carla Paine, "Girl Seated in a Rocking Chair", Oil on linen, 24 x 34 in.

Oil Painters of America

The OPA Fall Showcase

Oil Painters of America (OPA), founded in 1991, is a non-for-profit organization representing more than 3,500 artists throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. The OPA is dedicated to preserving and promoting excellence in representational art, and its primary focus is to draw attention to the lasting value of fine drawing, color, composition and the appreciation of light.

One of the main missions of OPA is to advance the cause of traditional, representational fine art by providing a forum in which artists can display their art in regional and national competitions. The OPA Online Showcase is a rolling exhibition, with awards offered three times per year in the Fall, Spring, and Summer. Recently, in the Fall 2022 Showcase, FAA graduate Jane Manco received First Place for her painting A New Beginning!

To learn more about OPA please visit: www.oilpaintersofamerica.com

Jane Manco, "A New Beginning", Oil on canvas, 20 x 16 in. 2020

Society of Portrait Sculptors

FACE 2022 (59th Exhibition)

The Society of Portrait Sculptors (SPS) is a representative body of professional sculptors committed to making portrait and figurative sculpture accessible to a wider public. The aims of The Society are to advance the art of three-dimensional and bas-relief portraiture; to maintain, promote and encourage the highest standards; to challenge preconceptions about portrait sculpture and to stimulate increased interest in an art form that is timeless yet contemporary. To achieve this The Society works in several ways but primarily through its Annual Open Exhibition and by seeking to encourage education and training in the art through lectures, prizes and sculpture classes.

This Open Exhibition is the only forum for contemporary portrait sculpture in the UK and consists of about 70 sculptures of which approximately one third is chosen from open submission from non-members. It is an international exhibition and open to entries worldwide. This year several FAA graduates and faculty members were selected to exhibit in FACE 2022! Check below to see the works and a few words from the artists about their subjects.

To learn more about the SPS please visit: www.portrait-sculpture.org

Bayasgalan Batmagnai

Narration (Portrait of D. Uriankhai), mixed medium

"A Mongolian writer Uriankhai Damdinsuren. He was a winner of the Asian Literature Award, part of the main program of the Asian Literature Festival." - Bayasgalan Batmagnai

Maudie Brady

Queen, Hydro-resin

"Francesca is from Napoli. Her strength of character, resilience and pride, along with a hint of vulnerability attracted me to sculpt her." - Maudie Brady

Charlotte Bruhnes

Maïmouna Dieng, Bronze

“Maïmouna, who I got to meet in Paris is half French and half Senegalese. I immediately wanted to capture in clay her power and beauty.” - Charlotte Bruhnes

Jana Büttner

Light Ray - Full Figure, Bronze

Light Ray - Bust, Resin

“Evelina is a young Italian woman who studies philosophy in Florence. As well as being a student, she works as a model.” - Jana Büttner

Poppy Field

Tip of the Iceberg, Bronze

"Debora Massotti’s strength of character and poise was the foundation for this 21st century “liberté” - a woman standing proud, in total control of her pent-up energy." - Poppy Field

Anna Lee-Hoelzle

Godfrey, Bronze

"Godfrey Daniel is a musician from the Bronx, New York. He plays the saxophone and the flute. He also restores antique furniture." - Anna Lee-Hoelzle

Hywel Pratley

Luke, Bronze, Life-size

"Bright eyed cyclist, climber, scientist, and clarinettist. Admiring younger brother to Francis." - Hywel Pratley

Francis, Bronze, Life-size

"Good natured long-boarder, biologist, lambing expert, and baritone singer at a crossroads in life. Devoted older brother to Luke." - Hywel Pratley

Amelia Rowcroft

Young Elizabeth, Pigmented jesmonite

"2022 marked The Queen’s platinum jubilee. Inspired by the beautiful colorized photographs from her coronation." - Amelia Rowcroft

Lily, Jesmonite

"Lily is a local model. Made at a time when we had both recently suffered a loss. I wanted to capture the beauty of melancholy." - Amelia Rowcroft

We hope you enjoyed this wonderful selection of artworks created by FAA graduates, and, if you would like to browse more, you may visit Alumni Gallery on the FAA Website.

Thank you for following us, and be sure to keep an Eye on the Collective!