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! 

There's No Place Like Rome....

During Spring Break this year, duCret Instructor Mark Romanoski led 36 duCret Students, Faculty Members, Alumni and friends of duCret through Paris, Milan, Florence and Rome. For participating duCret students;  Andy Judd of Bridgewater, Rae Cawley of Westfield, Brandon Drake of Plainfield, Tomas Hurtado of Clark, Liam Kaiser-Sheridan of Scotch Plains, Steven Lopez of Elizabeth, Christopher Peel of South Plainfield, Laura Smith of Bergenfield, Ben Vogler of North Plainfield and Duane Watson of Englewood, it was an opportunity of a lifetime.

On a whirlwind travel agenda, arranged though EF Tours (an international educational travel program for faculty and students) and focusing on Renaissance Art History, the group experienced an array of historical landmarks, famous statues and sacred sites such as the Vatican City. Starting in Paris and traveling to Milan, Florence and finally Rome, they were able to visit the Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower and  Arc de Triomphe. They also visited the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica and saw the Mona Lisa and Michelangelo’s ‘The David’. “I lost ten pounds walking’, Chris Peel stated emphatically. When asked if the trip changed his perspective on life somehow, Andy Judd replied, “Absolutely. To see these historical icons we’ve studied in class, in ‘real life’ sends a powerful message to artist's everywhere. Here at duCret you can explore everything and do anything artistically. You can open up your soul and just ‘be’ yourself. I was thrilled to go on the trip.”

When the students arrived home, they were immediately thrust into preparations for duCret’s annual Art Show, in which six very special awards were presented, aside from 1st, 2nd and 3rd place and honorable mention recognitions. These annual honorary awards included: The Alfred Schultz Award, The Ann & Dudley duCret Award, The Edward W. Pardee Memorial Award, The Furman Fink Award, The Walter Swain Award and the Alumni Award.  This year, it was no surprise that a few last minute art entries were ‘Europe’ influenced.

Mark Romanoski the trip's leading faculty member who teaches Acrylic Painting and Fantasy Illustration at duCret, is an ecclectic artist himself who personally works in a wide range of modalities; from fantasy art to works themed in ancient religion. He is also an accomplished mural artist. He began his career in the studios of famed illustrators Tim and Greg Hildebrandt. His work in fantasty art includes D.C. Comics, Marvel Comics, WWE and World of Warcraft.

Mark will be teaching a 'Drawing Super Heroes' Workshop this summer 2011 on July 6th from 1pm - 4pm. This one day workshop will focus on the basics of drawing all your favorite super heroes. This includes proportion, anatomy, posing and character development. Learn to develop 3D reality on a flat surface, and add power and punch to any super hero of your choosing. Those interested can REGISTER NOW by calling 908-757-7171, or by walk-in to 1030 Central Avenue, Plainfield NJ, between 9am - 4pm, Monday through Friday.

Grounds For Sculpture

In April the students of duCret's 'Spirit of Art', art appreciation class broke free of their normal routine and evoked what they had learned by putting it to the test. A short car ride later they were standing at the gates of Grounds For Sculpture curiously peering inside the park.  In class, under the direction of duCret Instructor Joan Arbeiter they had been focusing on many different aspects of art, including the elements and principles of design. After taking a short-guided tour, the students realized that one could easily spend days walking around the grounds and exploring. The land presents itself in a way that is almost that of an enchanted fairy tale forest. There are many sculptures that one can physically interact with.

Each sculpture is strategically placed throughout the grounds. "Every time you walked up a hill, or around a corner you found a new piece," stated Megan Cocho, a participating duCret student. "For instance one of the pieces required that you walk through a jungle of bamboo. After you arrived at the sculpture and turned around, you'd see many sets of sculptures hidden through out the bamboo watching you with glowing eyes. It was something that we weren't expecting to see, but it certainly peaked our imagination after we discovered them!" she described.

The duCret School of Art is a similar wonderland in and of itself, because imagination is actually an element of living reality that is ritually encouraged and examined in class. In fact, one of the interesting aspects that makes the duCret teaching formula work is that each one of the duCret students comes from a different background. The rich cultural exchange between students at the school enables each to come to deeply appreciate the many different styles of art that do exist in the world. 

Within a smaller and more intimate class structure, each influences another to stretch beyond personal comfort zones, so as to encourage the exploration of a wider range of 'life interpretation'. This in turn, challenges each to become stronger and more passionate about their art.

In the park, each student was able to walk about the grounds and find something that spoke to their individual interests. As part of this class experience, each was then required to logically explain why they were drawn to the pieces instead of simply saying,  "Yeah, it's nice".  The practice of articulating what they saw was an exercise designed to enable them to focus more deeply on how the colors, textures and structural aspects of art  visually help to shape our living world. Not only did the students learn to appreciate and interact with the pieces, but they were were also inspired by them.

Another part of the unique education process at duCret School of Art is that students are specifically encouraged to interact and emotionally and physically engage in everyday life. This challenges them to re-examine their inner perspectives on the current lives they are living and encourages them to seek deeper understanding as to how they may have developed their present day perceptions. Then each is encouraged to begin to 'see' our living reality in terms of structure, shadow, form, color and texture. Inducing a deeper layer of thought enables each to hone in on their innate talents so that they can use their natural gifting to ultimately inspire others.

duCret School of art is now accepting registration for it's SUMMER WORKSHOP PROGRAMS for adults & children. Visit our website for more information, stop by 1030 Central Avenue, Plainfield, NJ between 9am-4pm, or call 908-757-7171. 

duCret Spring Art Show Links Students, Artists & Musicians

duCret’s Annual Spring Art Show is on May 1, from 2PM – 4PM. Five awards to duCret students will be presented, with the winners being featured at Swain’s Art Gallery in Plainfield, NJ. There will be music provided by the Acoustic-in-the-Park guitar group, refreshments and fearured artwork is for sale. It’s a wonderful opportunity for families of the local area to step inside a local artist’s haven, most recently recognized for the portrayal of some of its students on the popular TV series “Cake Boss”.

Linking locally gifted students such as Sara Alkhalili of the Wardlaw-Hartridge School to notable professional artists in the art world is part of duCret’s legendary 85 year history. A South Plainfield resident and artist at heart, Sara thought she’d be just putting in some volunteer hours at a local art school to fulfill a class requirement. Little did she know she’d be thrust into NJ’s best kept secret, a non-profit art school that holds an 85 year history of launching some of NJ’s most prominent artists.

For instance, Sara was invited to participate in one of duCret's Open Studio nights, which are held on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. At Open Studio, the general public is invited to paint or draw alongside of professional artists in NJ.  One never knows who's going to be on the floor on any given night. Nor does anyone of know where another artist may be coming in from or how in meeting them, it may open up our lives in some way. To intern Sara Alkhalili, Open Studio night was an opportunity to sketch alongside of several highly regarded artists from several different states, including Clinton T. Hobart, who’d been mentored by Milt Neil, Disney’s “Duck Man”, and Garin Baker, owner of Carriage House Art Studios in New Windsor, NY and recognized for his mural work in the tri-state area, which includes “This is How We Live” LeDroit Park Community Mural Project in Washington DC.

For an intern who's just begun to seek out career opportunities for herself in the art world, duCret has offered Sara the opportunity to see the fine art world as it more truly exists. Surrounded by a field of professional artists on Open Studio night enables anyone to truly feel the rich vibe of the lifestyle of those who have made art a 24/7 living reality.

In rubbing shoulders with several professional artists who surrounded her one evening, it was made crystal clear to Sara that a profession in the fine art field can and does indeed exist, for anyone who desires it to be so! Sometimes a helpful hint from a few seasoned professionals is all it takes to give an emerging artist the inspiration to take the plunge into a lifelong dream!

duCret's annual Spring Art Show features the completed works of duCret students, some of who will be graduating this year. The show enables students to mingle with the general public and share their insiration, which in turn helps young adults to see that the art world is a rich one, continually bursting with opportunity.

This year duCret has invited local musicians from Acoustic-in-the-Park, (a NJ based meetup group) onto the Fine Arts Floor. The experiment of mixing musicians and artists has been a smash hit, as the artists now have the opportunity to paint and draw to live music, and the musicians are offered the opportunity to be appreciated by those who well understand the life path of artistry.

duCret is NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS for it's SUMMER ART WORKSHOPS PROGRAM for adults and children. Visit duCret School of Art for more information, or call 908-757-7171.

For more info on Open Studios - open to the general public, visit our OPEN STUDIO BLOG.

Student Artist Gains World Experience In Rome

When asked where in the family line their son Andy got his artistic gene from, Andy’s Mom replied, "We’re not sure but we believe he got his love of art from his grandfather, who studied at an art school in Newark NJ, way back when." Back a few decades, specialized art schools were indeed respected icons of society and passionate students of art launched pivotal careers that helped to carve many famous institutions and galleries that citizens today now enjoy.

In Andy’s senior year, knowing that his son had a bent for art and only art, Andy’s Dad began to casually look around for vocational opportunities. "Andy didn’t want to go to a traditional college where he’d have to spend another two or three years studying the required non-art subjects first, before he actually got to learn art," his Dad reflected. "An artist just wants to learn and do his craft! But we didn’t know exactly where or how to start him on that path."

Andy had been drawing since around the age of six and over the years his art teachers repeatedly commented on his ‘gift’ so much so, that his parents began to finally pay attention. What parent doesn’t want the best for their child?

How was Andy as a child? "Oh, he was a handful, of course!" his Mom instantly laughed. "He did pretty well in school. But we’d never seen him light up with so much enthusiasm until he arrived here at duCret," she said. Both parents were dumbstruck when they learned that Andy was one of the most active students in the duCret Student Council. "At duCret, he just shines," his Mom beamed.

So this spring, when an opportunity to go to Rome was offered by Andy’s art school, he signed up. In March, tour guide and duCret Instructor Mark Romanoski led over 40 duCret students, family and friends on an all-encompassing trip to Rome, Florence and Italy. There, Andy and his fellow students were able to experience first-hand, the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo’s famous statue, the  ‘David’ and the Mona Lisa.

duCret, known mainly to those who travel within NJ’s exclusive artist communities, has long held a reputation for being one of NJ’s best kept secrets. It’s the state’s oldest non-profit visual art school and its alumni history is stocked full of legendary artists. That history includes some pretty interesting past events and world coverage that has occurred there as well. Not many are even aware that duCret offers trips of a lifetime, such as this.

When queried how they found out about duCret, Andy’s dad replied, "I’d never heard of the school before. Last year I just happened to pick up the Courier News and read an article on a teacher who was having a comic book art event at this ‘duCret School of Art’.  Since Andy’s dream was always to work for Marvel Comics, a bell just clicked in my head. So we contacted duCret and here we are!"

Ironically, the teacher featured in the comic book article one year prior turned out to be Andy's trip leader. Mark Romanoski, a long time local artist was recently publically recognized yet again for his commissioned painting for St. Joseph's Church in North Plainfield.

For more information on duCret's 3 Yr Career Courses, visit duCret School of Art. duCret also offers a SUMMER WORKSHOP PROGRAM with over 40 workshops for both children and adults.

Cedarbrook & duCret Students Connect Via Love of Art

Amidst the many choices our children have these days, given such easy access to social media networks and internet programming, it’s rare to see anyone connecting on a one-to-one basis, as in days of  old.  Yet it is direct human to human contact that carries an essence of life that no computer, no matter how many gigs it has, can offer a growing soul. The life-force value of ‘nurturing’ can only be shared by initiating one-to-one human contact.

Recently, the duCret School of Art Student Council rallied at the opportunity to walk across the street to Cedarbrook School. There, in front of a rapt crowd of 8th graders, they shared their own artistic dreams and unique stories as budding young artists.  duCret students Chris Peel, Megan Cocho, Taylor Ficke, Sean Smith  and Kristen Karwan  each spoke about how they discovered their love of art in childhood and what it was that brought them to make their choices to be ‘career  artists’ in life. Each now attends duCret School of Art, a 3-yr visual arts school that prepares gifted artists for the business of their art.

“Just close your eyes for a moment and what you see in that moment is a world without art,” said Dean Field, an attending duCret art teacher. ‘Everything in this world is art. Whether it is a chair that someone has created or a visual ad campaign an artist designed to sell products that other artists have crafted; every aspect of life is connected to art. That answers the question – is there a career in art? Just look all around you and you’ll find jobs for artists everywhere.”

After a short presentation by the duCret Student Council, the 8th grade students were then divided into small groups and guided through a portraiture exercise that develops eye-hand coordination. This gave the 8th graders an opportunity to experience one-to-one personal assistance and an artist’s perspective regarding the discovery of their own potentials of artistic talent.

“I didn’t even know I could draw until I was 9 years old,” Kristen Karwan shared with the group. She’d discovered her own ability quite by surprise. Many students don’t even know that they have a talent for art, for if a household in which they grow up does not expose them to the many forms of art that exist, too often one’s special gifts will remain undiscovered. Art is not just about drawing or painting. It is a way of life that touches every aspect of the human soul.

A sudden accident that caused an eye injury shifted the artistic career focus of painter Taylor Ficke, for instance, who then began working in ceramics and sculpture. Rather than succumbing to the injury, Taylor took positive action and discovered yet another element of her artistic gifting.  None of us know what challenges life will to deliver us, but hearing the stories of the duCret students enabled Cedarbrook 8th graders to open their minds to the many ways that art can serve them in their lives.

Most importantly, they learned that art is a healing agent of life. The expression of it is a positive way to address and manage any emotional and physical circumstances life may bring. To do art, one does not need a lot of money. One only needs a pencil or pastel set, a blank pad of paper and a dream to begin a lifetime journey through the wonderfully vibrant world of art.

duCret School of Art offers a Summer Program for both Children and Adults aside from it's 3-yr Art Career Curriculum and OPEN STUDIO'S for the adult community. More info can be found at duCret School of Art.

duCret Celebrates 32nd High School Art Show

The auditorium was packed wall to wall as 74 awards from 471 art submissions were formally presented to NJ’s participating high school artists by the duCret School of Art Director, Frank Falotico.  Friday, February 25th marked duCret’s 32nd High School Art Show and submissions from participating high schools across the state amassed an enormous array of talent as submitted pieces ranged from oil, pastel, acrylic, collage, pen and ink, watercolor, mixed media and charcoal to photography and digital manipulation.

duCret, NJ’s oldest non-profit visual art school, has been launching talented individuals into a wide array of successful art careers for 85 years, including; nationally acclaimed portrait artists, illustrators and graphic designers. The annual high school show enables gifted students seeking career opportunities in the art field to not only have their work reviewed and exhibited formally, they can meet and mingle with public art supporters, students and duCret faculty at the awards presentation ceremony as well.

Acrylic by MingZhu Hai

Each year students are notified mainly through their high school art departments and are called to submit one entry in any one of several mediums offered.  This year, duCret received art entries from not only local towns such as Watchung, New Providence, Bernardsville, Plainfield, South Plainfield and Summit, but also from Livingston, Bayonne, Randolph, Freehold and Bergenfield.

First Place Awards: Sam Wasserman of Watchung Hills H.S. in Acrylic, Jenelle Ramdeen of Bayonne H.S. in B & W Photography, Andrew Richard Ward of Piscataway H.S. in Chalk Pastel, Tyler Ruperto of Bridgewater-Raritan H.S. in Charcoal, Melissa Olsakowski of Randolph H.S. in Collage, Stephanie Wademan of Piscataway H.S. in Color Pencil, Meldrick Umahon of Livingston H.S. in Color Photography, Elisa Chaudet of  Somerville H.S. in Digital Manipulation, Patrick Hall of Watchung H.S. in Graphics, Jessica Chu of Bridgewater-Raritan H.S. in Graphite, Phoebe Feng of Livingston H.S. in Ink, Kaixi Wu of Bridgewater-Raritan H.S. in Mixed Media, Austin Harry Peer of Watchung Hills H.S. in Oil, Nick Fellezolla of New Providence H.S. in Printmaking and Carolyn Thornton of Watchung Hills H.S. in Watercolor.

Digital by Melissa Martini

Second Place Awards: Catherine Shiau of Livingston H.S. in Acrylic, Trevor Rand of Hillsborough H.S. in B & W Photography, Sara May of Bergenfield H.S. in Charcoal, Rachael Laurilliard of Randolph H.S. in Collage, Bari Blanga of Livingston H.S. in Color Photography, Danielle Stecki of Livingston H.S. in Pastel, Raymond Diaz of Bayonne H.S. in Digital Manipulation, Maclain Riccardi of Oak Knoll H.S. in Graphite, Martin Demcale of Bridgewater-Raritan H.S. in Ink, Rais Ahmed of Hillsborough H.S. in Mixed Media, Zoe Ambinder of Watchung Hills H.S. in Oil, Lauren Gallagher of Watchung Hills H.S. in Pastel, Luke Heisinger of New Providence H.S. in Printmaking and Hilary Cornick of Bridgewater Raritan H.S. in Watercolor.

Third Place Awards: Arturo Hernandez of Bound Brook H.S. in Acrylic, Emily Pettitt of Randolph H.S. in B & W Photography, Abigail Bianga of Oak Knoll H.S. in Color Photography, Elizabeth Ibrahim of Bayonne H.S. in Digital Manipulation, Sonya Han of New Providence H.S. in Graphite, Anna-Maria Sen of Bridgewater-Raritan H.S. in Ink, Erica Ramos of Hillsborough H.S. in Mixed Media, Nicole Chesek of Piscataway H.S. in Pastel, Alexis Paredes of Livingston H.S. in Pastel/Charcoal and Erin Caffrey of Watchung Hills H.S. in Watercolor.

Acrylic by Catherine Shiau

35 other high school students from participating high schools received Honorable Mention Awards, including: Kimberly Radwanski of Bridgewater-Raritan H.S., Shaila Hug of Freehold Borough H.S., Kimberly Tsai of Watchung Hills H.S., Renylin Bacani of Bayonne H.S., Kristy Chan of Livingston H.S., Sonja Podesta of Oak Knoll H.S., Scarlet Hernandez of Piscataway H.S., Madeline Jones of Hillsborough H.S., Peter Chang of Hillsborough H.S., Allison Scalera of Watching Hills H.S.,  Alex Blitt of New Providence H.S., Allison Bradley of New Providence H.S., Dakota Santiago of Bayonne H.S., Brianna Peipert of Livingston H.S., Megan Harrop of Livingston H.S., Rebecca Niccolai of Oak Knoll H.S., Lauren Merrill of Watchung Hills H.S., Sofia Lizza of Watchung Hills H.S., Amanda Unger of Bayonne H.S., Kelly Zindel of Randolph H.S., Melissa Martini of Union H.S., Joanne Horng of Livingston H.S., Bryanne Brock of Piscataway H.S., Rachel Farber of Randolph H.S., Trenton White of Bridgewater-Raritan H.S., Jannel Varona of Bayonne H.S., Sara Neiss of Watchung Hills H.S., Paolo Martinez of Bround Brook H.S., Jon Wojcik of Bridgewater-Raritan H.S., John Cherichello of Livingston H.S., Rebecca Gruber of Freehold Borough H.S., Megan Martinez of John F. Kennedy Memorial H.S., Katie Zabel of New Providence H.S.,  Noelle Verrusio of New Providence H.S., and Shiwoo Yu of Wardlaw-Hartridge School.

 ‘Despite where one may live in NJ, location is not an issue when an artist has a dream’ says Frank Falotico, Director. This is a proven fact, as students enrolled at duCret School of Art hail from all across the state. Not only does the Annual High School Art Show allow high school teens to view works from their peers in different counties, they and their parents together can tour NJ’s oldest art school and actually see where some of NJ’s legendary alumni first learned their craft and launched their careers.

The duCret School of Art has been a major contributor to art education in central NJ since its founding in 1926. The school maintains a computer lab, library, ceramics lab, photography and fine art studios and offers fine art, illustration and computer-graphics programs, including OPEN STUDIO'S for local artists, SPECIALTY WORKSHOPS and the duCRET SUMMER ART PROGRAM for adults and children. Individuals interested in a career in art are encouraged to CALL 908-757-7171 & SCHEDULE A TOUR. More info about the school can be found at duCret School of Art.