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School History
In 2001, while teaching at the Memorial Art Gallery Creative Workshop, Steve opened his studio in Village Gate Square on North Goodman Street in the Neighborhood of the Arts. The 800-square-foot space soon proved to be too small to accommodate the number of students in Steve's school and, in January 2002, he added 400 square feet by renting his neighbor's space and tearing down the adjoining wall.
Enrollment in the school continued to grow and, by the middle of 2003, more space was needed. Steve's landlord, Gary Stern, provided a 2,400-square-foot unfinished space in an old rag factory around the corner on Anderson Avenue.
Steve, his associate Rob Curry, and other friends completed the makeover and the Anderson Avenue studio opened on Jan. 10, 2004, with a performance by the Rochester City Ballet.
The school soon was running at capacity, offering five different classes per week (see schedule) in addition to an open drawing class on Mondays.
Steve's school also is the home of The New York Figure Study Guild and MECA, the Monday Evening Creative Arts Lecture Series. Co-founded by Steve and Rick Muto, the purpose of The New York Figure Study Guild is to establish a rich environment to promote the study of the human form by mentoring, encouraging dialog within the Guild and to collaborate and exchange ideas with other like minded organizations in and out of New York State. Founded in February 2008, members to date include professional artists, teachers, and students from three contiguous counties surrounding the Rochester area. MECA is a not-for-profit organization devoted to the diffusion of creative talents in the Rochester area.
Open Figure Drawing Class Also, beginning this fall will be the new open studio figure drawing classes. This is an open class; no instruction will be given. Nude models will be available to drawing from. John Borrelli and Steve will facilitate. There will be an optional critique at the end of each evening. Professional artists, including sculptors and conceptual artists, will periodically direct the evenings, giving new insights and way to experience the human form.
The fee is $65 for 5 consecutive sessions paid in advance or $4 per hour.
Note: Open Figure Drawing is not offered on the first Mondays of the month when MECA convenes.
Finally
This newsletter is open to anyone who would like to announce an upcoming show, advertise or request art studio rentals, sales of equipment and art supplies, etc. We appreciate any comments you might have concerning this newsletter.
