Do Something Different - Follow Your Soul!

We've all lived through enough tough economic times to realize that there's no quick fix. So while we've all been waiting for the tides to turn forward again, each of us had had to reconstruct our perspectives on what really brings us happiness in the day-to-day reality. If you're a High School Grad who just doen't fit in to the 'College Bound Mode' and doesn't know what to do... If you're a middle aged, unemployed adult sick of working for others and seek to become a creative entrepreneur... If you're a retiree who wants to finally do what you've always wanted to do -  duCret School of Art is not just a career school. We're an edgy tool for alternative ways and means! So USE US! We don't mind!

duCret school of Art is located in Central NJ at 1030 Central Ave, Plainfield NJ 07060. Call 908-757-7171 for more information, walk-in between 9am - 4pm Mon - Friday and pick up a catalog or email us at ducretartschool@aol.com Need advice or career guidance on a career in art? Just give us a call!

Swain Galleries Presents duCret School of Art 'Selected Works'

GALLERY RECEPTION: Saturday, July 16th from 5 - 7pm. For 32 years,  the duCret School of Art has hosted an Annual Spring Art Show. It offers duCret sudents the opportunity to showcase their best pieces of artwork created during the previous semesters. Of six honorary awards given, artist Michelle Dillon was presented The Walter Swain Award for her painting “After Dou, Young Dutch Girl”. Each year, the winning artists are afforded the opportunity to have their pieces shown in Swain's Galleries. A very special relationship between duCret and Swain's has developed over the years. Both are institutional icons with very rich art histories.  The 142 year old Art Gallery is Plainfield’s oldest retail establishment and New Jersey’s oldest privately owned gallery. DuCret School of Art is New Jersey’s oldest private non-profit art institution, coming into its 85th year.


Michele Dillon's Painting

 This year's top award winners to be featured at Swains are:

Alfred Schultz Award – #33, “Mona Michelle”, Elizabeth Jones– Piscataway, NJ. Ann & Dudley duCret Award – #105, “Winter Bliss”, Trisha Andrada– Keansburg, NJ. Alumni Award – #112, “Enlightment of the Seas”, Trisha Andrada– Keansburg, NJ. Walter Swain Award – #40, “After Dou, Young Dutch Girl”, Michelle Dillon – Beachwood, NJ. Furman Finck Award – #5, “Lauren”, Dwayne Watson– Englewood, NJ
Other Winners In the Show Are:

Drawing  1st , #4, “Ghostly Face”, Dwayne Watson – Englewood, NJ, 2nd, #6, “The Beauty of it All”, Brandon Drake – Plainfield, NJ, 3rd, #1, “Generations”, Elizabeth Jones – Piscataway, NJ. Honorable mention #132, “James Bond”, Robert Schimmel – Rahway, NJ. Oil/Acrylic  1st, #8, “Glimmer of Truth”, Brandon Drake – Plainfield, NJ, 2nd, #88, “Royal Beauty”, Tomas Hurtado – Clark, NJ, 3rd, #83, “Ornaments”, Edward Drabik  - West Orange, NJ, Honorable Mention #44, “Summerhills”, Thomas Seiz – South Plainfield, NJ, Honorable Mention, #45, “Lilypads and Big Blue, Thomas Seiz – South Plainfield, NJ. Photography  1st, #108, “The Escape”, Trisha Andrada – Keansburg, NJ, 2nd, #109, “The Orlando Sunrise”, Trisha Andrada– Keansburg, NJ, 3rd, #139, “Rome”, Christopher Peel – South Plainfield, NJ, Honorable Mention, #9, “Isolation”, Megan Cocho – Middlesex, NJ, Honorable Mention #10, “No Escape”, Megan Cocho– Middlesex, NJ, Honorable Mention #11, “Pemhurst”, Megan Cocho– Middlesex, NJ, Honorable Mention #67, “New York”, Laura Smith – Bergenfield, NJ. Jewelry - 1st, #110, “Lucky Koi”, Trisha Andrada– Keansburg, NJ, 2nd, #14, “Itzy Bitzy Spider”, DaMille King – Plainfield, NJ, 3rd, #70, “Piece of Time”, Rae Cauley – Westfield, NJ, Honorable Mention, #71, “Culture”, Rae Cauley– Westfield, NJ. Watercolor - 1st, #115, “Redemption”, Trisha Andrada – Keansburg, NJ, 2nd, #20, “Storm in Cape May”, Olga Studitskaia – Edison, NJ, 3rd, #21, “Spring is Coming”, Olga Studitskaia – Edison, NJ. Honorable Mention, #17, “Naughty or Nice”, DaMille King– Plainfield, NJ. Graphic Design 1st, #146,” Movado Ad”, Kristen Karwan – Colonia, NJ, 2nd, #150, “duCret Panel”, Kristen Karwan– Colonia, NJ, 3rd, #50, “Medical Procedure”, Michael Gutierrez – Edison, NJ, Honorable Mention, #166, “Circus”, Rae Cauley – Westfield, NJ, Honorable Mention, #35, “Wired Magazine Mock Up”, Sean Smith – Rahway, NJ, Honorable Mention, #119, “Hulk Tooth Brush Case”, Trisha Andrada– Keansburg, NJ, Honorable Mention, #122, “Ipod Ad”, Christopher Petronzio – Avenel, NJ. Mixed Media - 1st, #76, “Lotus”, Rae Cauley – Westfield, NJ, 2nd, #43, “Pensive Woman”, Thomas Seiz – South Plainfield, NJ. Stained Glass - 1st, #126, “Computer Hacker, Steven Decter – Springfield, NJ, 2nd, #127, “Dragon”, Steven Decter– Springfield, NJ, 3rd, #78, “Light up the Music”, Rae Cauley– Westfield, NJ, Honorable Mention, #58, “Dream Catcher”, Samantha Abbate – Mountainside, NJ. 3-D - 1st, #113, “The Mosaic Tree Table”, Trisha Andrada– Keansburg, NJ, 2nd, #102, “Panda”, Taylor Ficke – Clark, NJ, 3rd, #111, “The Colorful Udu Drum”, Trisha Andrada– Keansburg, NJ, Honorable Mention, #135, “The Zoo”, Andre Larkins  - North Plainfield, NJ. Digital Illustration - 1st, #143, “Echoes”, Chuck English – Elizabeth, NJ, 2nd, #167, “Into the Deep”, Brittany Mackason – Neptune, NJ, 3rd, #120, “Words of the Beatles”, Trisha Andrada– Keansburg, NJ, Honorable Mention, #121, “A Memoir of Peter Pan”, Trisha Andrada – Keansburg, NJ, Honorable Mention, #160, “Carmen”, Sean Smith – Rahway, NJ.

JOIN US AT SWAIN GALLERIES! All winning entries from the duCret Art Show will be on display at Swain’s Galleries with a Special Opening Reception to he Held on Saturday, July 16th, from 5 - 7pm at Swain Galleries, 703 Watchung Ave, Plainfield NJ 07060. For more information call duCret at 908-757-7171 or contact Swain Galleries at 908-756-1707 

duCret & Piscataway Cultural Heritage Commission Award Local Artists

duCret Instructor Linda Kolar
& Chair, Catherine Juttner

This past Friday evening at the municipal building, the Piscataway Cultural Heritage Commission issued to a local community of participating artists, six art awards from 75 entries. Judged by two members of the duCret School of Art, including duCret art teacher, Linda Kolar, professional artists and beginners alike were able to not only showcase their talent, but were given public recognition and a chance to have their work discussed and reviewed after the awards ceremony. Those receiving awards were: 1st place, Pen and Ink 'Lunch with a friend' by David Bachovchin, 2nd Place Oil Painting, 'Brazilian Pianist Luiz Castro' by Helen North and 3rd place Batik, 'Pondo Family - Pondoland' by June Scharff. Three honorable mentions included; a Collage, 'A Diner' by E. Carol O'Neill,  a Mixed Acrylic on Birch, 'Evening Glass' by Jack Quinn and Photography, 'Inner Reflections' by Jay I. Chin.

David Bachovchin, 'Lunch with a Friend'

Oftentimes wonderful opportunities for artists such as this are overlooked because so much media attention is placed on the global marketplace, that many people fail to recognize that most of today's legendary artists got their opportunity breaks in local community based venues. After all, didn't Bruce Springsteen start out playing in tiny bars at the Jersey shore? Whether one chooses to dabble in art or music, the general rule of thumb in life is that one thing always leads to another, and that's usually how people become successful in the long run of life. Getting out and taking a chance of entering one's artwork into local art programs can be just the boost a creative soul needs to continue on towards one's dream of success. Those usually inclined towards art, know too well that the journey of art is a self focused one, for concentration on manifesting one's gift into the outer world requires time, dedication and is often a solitary challenge. But that does not mean that all artists fare so well emotionally or financially remaining solo in their journey's to create. After all, the primary goal of any artist is to share the gifts of their soul with others and to have their work received in by many.

Helen North 'Brazilian
Pianist Luiz Castro'

Color and sound we are all now beginning to understand, has been scientifically proven to emanate healing frequencies...to the point that art therapy programs are being integrated into hospitals across the country. One way to have one's gifts of color and sound seen, heard and shared is to enter one's creative work in as many local contests and shows as possible. Last night PCTV videotaped the winners, enabling them an opportunity to have their work extended beyond just the awards ceremony and out into a greater public arena. Art entrants were also invited to have their work critiqued by the Dean of duCret School of Art Frank Falotico, a 40 year veteran artist of the local area. duCret, unbeknownst to the general public, is one of NJ's best kept secrets. Celebrating its 85th year, is it NJ's oldest private, non-profit art school and hosts a legendary history of acclaimed and award winning artists. At duCret, one never knows where one's artistic talent will take them.

June Scharff, 'Ponzo Family'

For instance, currently several of duCret's sculpting students have been hired and are featured regularly on TLC's 'Cake Boss', a popular reality show in Hoboken, NJ. Last year, Ralph Attanasia, a duCret grad and instructor traveled to Italy for an episode, an opportunity made possible by the show's producers. Now who would have thought that a sculpting class art student in a quiet and local art school could find himself sculpting cakes in front of a world audience? But there you have it - proof that one thing does indeed lead to another! If you are a creative soul who doesn't think there is any real opportunity to succeed in art - THINK again!

This summer, starting in July, duCret is offering over 35 one day to eight week art workshops. These days, no matter how bad the economy is, there's NO EXCUSE for artists to hide their talents or think 'it's no use'  or not affordable any more. Today, with digital, internet and media technology so readily available, there are more opportunities for artists to 'self express' than ever before! duCret also offers a 2 week Children & Teen Art Camp and hosts 3 Open Studio's for the general public on Tues, Wed and Thursday evenings - thus, leaving no one out of the mix. Tap our website for more information or call 908-757-7171 and reclaim YOUR DREAMS!

Summertime's a Bevy of Creative Souls at duCret

While most people fight their way thru summer induced traffic to a mobbed Jersey shore in attempt to recuperate from a slumped economy, artists and musicians at duCret have found a less crowded haven in Open Studio's every Tues, Wed and Thursday evening....sans the long road trip. You see, artists have long ago figured out ways to connect with nature that doesn't include fighting mobs. Sure, everybody loves the shore, and that doesn mean that artists don't love the negative ions too! But they're also enriching themselves in nature too, via Plein Air painting at local ponds or nature trails...OR... they're listening to sweet music on the Open Studio floors as they peacefully paint and sketch in a creative atmostphere of other artists, who've all discovered that relaxation can also come by giving permission back to one's self - to actually BE creative.

Model Katie Poses on 6/21, 6/28 and
7/5 at 'Portrait' Open Studio

When an individual's dream has been squashed out by cutbacks, job losses and closed art enrichment programs, finding duCret is like finding the lost pieces of the soul again! Rebirthing at duCret is actually occurring, one day at a time. And the regenerative spirit-energy people are culling back to themselves via one night of creativity, helps to make the weekday grind of survival, just alittle bit more bearable too. After all - where else can one go to find inner peace, constructive progress and the rebuilding of lost dreams all for $15.00 a night? The duCret Open Studio Commmunity Program currently has running every Tues, Wed and Thursday evening, a variety of Open Studio's, and each one is so different in nature, that there is literally something for everyone. That includes children and teens because every summer, duCret hosts a Summer Art Camp for our planet's young apiring artists. Whole families are finding a new way to stay cohesive and supportive of one another in Open Studio. Musicians are connecting with artists. Kindred spirits are finding one another. Families are re-uniting thru a love of art. After all...artistic genes do tend to run down the DNA lines and it's actually quite fun to find daughters encouraging their Mom's to start painting again!

Musicians & Artists - A Perfect Blend

If you're seeking to restart a lost dream, restore a frazzled mind, reconnect a splintered family or just want to feel the insiration of others, duCret IS everything a community should be. It's extremely affordable, there's ZERO emotional baggage because that's all left at the door when people come in. Inside one finds peace, laughter, happiness and a slice of Heaven on Earth. And not surprisingly, careers are jump started, art collections are in progress and opportunities are an endless commodity. All one has to do at Open Studio....is grab their old painbox, a sketch pad, some spare change and SHOW UP! We guarantee that by the time you leave your first Open Studio, you'll feel as if you've simply known us forever. The gift of creating creative communities such as this is that so much of what we share with one another is done by silent exchange. One can feel the 'good' vibe once one steps one the floor!  

TUES EVE: 6pm - 9 pm "Portrait & Anything Goes" Open Studio. Live musicians play mellow tunes and sing to inspire artists. Here you can paint, draw or sculpt a live still (clothed & costumed) model, or paint the moving musicians or you can bring in your own unfinished artwork to work on. Models are booked usually three weeks in a row to allow completion of a painting and pose for 20 minutes at a clip. The mood is relaxing, upbeat and artists are encouraged to mingle during breaktime. Beginners to pros all welcome. Fee: $15.00 per / $10.00 duCret students and alumni.

WED EVE - 7pm - 9:30pm "Figure Open Studio". A live nude model poses for five minutes at a clip giving artists the opportunity to fast sketch the full human figure and work on developing skills with regards to all aspects of the human anatomy. Based on classical and legendary art history, the honor of working with a nude form allows a maturity of artristy to unfold. Set to mellow music, this environment is quieter in nature, yet ever inspiring and welcoming of all newcomers. (This Open Studio is drawing only.) Fee: $15.00 per / $10.00 duCret students and alumni.

THURS EVE - 6pm - 8pm "Takumi & Pottery Wheel Open Studio". Remember the movie 'Ghost' with Demi M. and Patrick S? Always wanted to try the pottery wheel? It's SO much fun! Put your hands in clay dug straight up from Mother Earth, and learn how to shape her into something beautiful on the wheel. Enhance your experience with the flavor of Japan's ceramic history shared by our moderator, Simon, a Japan trained ceramics artist. Glaze and fire Mother's clay into editable pottery or plates. That's right - you could even make a dog bowl for your pets to drink from! Fee: $20.00 per w/($50.00 one-time clay/materials fee).


And while you're here this summer, pick up a Summer Art Workshop Catalog too. Or peruse through part of our Summer Catalog on our Open Studio Blog For starting in July there are over 35 very affordable Summer Art Workshops to choose from, that could ultimately one day, enable you to make that 'dream' career shift you always dreamed of!