Judith Banyas, duCret Faculty Featured at Les Malamut

duCret instructor, Judith Banyas delights in the wonder and beauty of nature. The colors of a sunset, the power of a waterfall or the serenity of a mountain stream have always awed her. She strives to get her viewer to see a scene through her eyes and hopefully feel the emotions she felt as she stood there. This  artist's eye and love of nature has for 35 years and counting, been passed down to her students. That's right. For 35 years Judith has been instructing duCret students in the art of landscape. Not only is she an instructor, she is also a graduate of duCret.

For a lifetime, Banyas has been drawn to the natural beauty of the Delaware River Basin and as a kayaker she gets to see a part of the river that is not seen by any other means. As an artist, Banyas wants to give everyone a chance to see the charm and the grandeur of the river. “I have chosen pastels to make this statement because the colors are as rich as the ones I see. With the soft pastels I can ‘get my hands into the picture’ so to speak. Working with pastels makes me feel that I am in direct contact with every part of the river as I work. I hope in each of my pictures to convey the love I have for the river and its environs.” A life long resident of Roselle Park, Banyas A life long resident of Roselle Park, Banyas was a co-owner of JM Madison Gallery in Middletown, NJ from 1975 to 1977. She has exhibited most recently at the Casano Community Center Art Gallery, Roselle Park, 29th Annual Mountain, NJ Art Show, the 2009 Annual Christmas Small Works Show at the Swain Galleries in Plainfield, NJ and the 2009 Annual Christmas Small Works Show at The Artist Framer in Cranford, NJ. She was part of the 2008 3rd Annual Members Juried Show at PSNJ, 2008 Annual Christmas Small Works Show at the Swain Galleries, and was in the Ridgewood Art Institute 27th Annual Regional Open Juried Show. Judith's work will be featured at Les Malamut Art Gallery, at 1980 Morris Avenue in Union NJ, from December 3rd to January 15th. The Opening Reception is December 7th from 6 - 9pm. Judith is a Signature Member of the Pastel Society of New Jersey. For more information or to purchase her paintings, contact Judith  at 908-241-9859 or  judithbanyas@yahoo.com

duCret Photographer Assigned on Rin Tin Tin Tour



Rin Tin TIn has a Hollywood star!

Beginning in September, a duCret staff member was assigned as tour photographer for Rin Tin Tin and attended American Humane Association's fund raising kick-off, ‘Hero Dog Awards’ with Whoopi Goldberg, NYC’s Singing Policeman, Daniel Rodriquez, Victorial Stillwell, Orlando Bloom and other TV stars at the National Arts Club in NYC. Rin Tin Tin, recently assigned as AHA’s new national spokesdog, rang the Stock Exchange Bell on September 7th, honoring all 911 service dogs, several of whom gave their lives in the trade tower rescue effort. This kicked off a huge country-wide tour effort to bring more awareness to animals in service to humanity.



Continuing on to LA with 'Love Your Pet University' President Lorraine Zdeb, the duCret photographer then attended the red carpet celebrity gala, ‘Hero Dog Awards’ TV Special, which was aired on the Hallmark Channel on November 11. This very first tribute to service dogs of America drew a huge celebrity crowd including; co-hosts Carson Kressley and Betty White, Victoria Stilwell, Peter Fonda, Mickey Rooney, Paula Abdul, Prince Lorenzo Borghese, Tinsley Mortimer, Orlando Bloom and about 30 other participating television stars. On December 23rd, a re-run of the ‘Hero Dog Awards’ is scheduled and on December 12th and 16th , the Hallmark Channel will air the ‘Hollywood Christmas Parade’, with Grand Marshall, Marie Osmond and co-hosts Erik Estrada and Laura McKenzie, to which Rin Tin Tin made an appearance accompanied by a brand new 20 foot balloon of Rin Tin Tin that was added to the parade this year. In May 2012, and in alliance with the Bridgewater-Branchburg Holiday Inn Express, Rin Tin Tin will make several personal appearances in NJ, in a huge three-day tribute to service dogs, war veterans and service members of the general community, to which duCret artists also will partake.

Media Opportunities Fly into duCret All Year Long!

Amber at Open Studio

In the past year, duCret School of Art has found itself in the public eye more than once. Ironically, it is the artists emerging from the school who are creating larger-than-life opportunities for other artists of the area. What started as an on-the-spot sculpting opportunity for Ralph Attanasia in Buddy Valastro's bakery one day, led to an opportunity for other sculpting students. For the past few years now, several sculpting students have been regularly featured on TLC’s 'Cake Boss' television series. Last year, television producers flew Ralph to Italy to shoot an episode.

During late August 2011, producers with Parthenon Entertainment, a UK/Canadian production company came on to the 'Fine Art Floor' at duCret and filmed several Tuesday night Open Studio members as part of a documentary on the featured Comic Con model, Amber Love.

Paul Casale captures Amber on Open Studio Art Floor

Amber, who's personal story and growth in the arts is reflected over a period of months in a special chronological journey, speaks to the issue of self esteem and finding one's place in life by digging deep into the soul and bringing forth that which must be expressed, whether it 'fits' into society's standard ideals or not. The film company, Parthenon distributes a diverse portfolio of high quality factual and children's properties for the global marketplace.


Spring Semester at duCret begins on January 16th. duCret is currently accepting applicants for the upcoming semester. To apply to the school, call 908-757-7171 or visit the school between 9am – 4pm, Monday – Friday. Further information can be found at www.ducret.edu.