2008 Woodie Awards
The Daily OrangeAcademy encourages students to pursue artistic careers
By Christine Bald
Posted: 4/5/06, 12:00 AM EST Section: Pulp
The landscape of American painting has changed dramatically since the National Academy Museum and School of Fine Arts began collecting and educating in 1825, but according to Dr. Annette Blaugrund, director of the Academy, its goal remains the same: to serve as a "link to the art of our past and a bridge to that of the future."
Blaugrund, an esteemed art historian who has been director for nine years, spoke Tuesday night in the Schaffer Art Building on the Academy's role in the history of American painting. The purpose of the lecture series, said Jerome Witkin, a professor in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, is to diversify aspiring artists' points of view by hosting a variety of speakers.
Founded by top artists including Samuel F. B. Morse, Asher B. Durand and Thomas Cole, "The National Academy of Design has been geared towards promoting the fine arts in America through instruction and exhibition," Blaugrund said.
Since its establishment in the 19th century, the Academy's predominantly conservative governing body has been forced to adapt through competition with independent art societies with more modern tendencies. The conservatism and tradition vigorously maintained by the academy was challenged in the 1920s to 1930s by European modernism, while artists like Jackson Pollock led the way to abstract expressionism through paintings like "Autumn Rhythm," a style that departed dramatically from the portrait and landscape works of the 19th century.
Though the academy has never rejected artists on a stylistic basis, Blaugrund admitted that artists admitted to the association often have more traditionalist ideals. 1911 marked a turning point in U.S. art, when a group of modernist artists formed the American Society of Painters and Sculptors in opposition to the aesthetics of the academy.
"The exhibition (by the new society) awakened fresh possibility and opened new images of modernity," Blaugrund said.
The conservative customs of the academy have proven to be a weakness, as have continual financial hardships and an inability to change quickly, but Blaugrund and the Academy advisory board are quick to point out that the persistence in the NAMSFA is one of its greatest strengths.
Blaugrund, an esteemed art historian who has been director for nine years, spoke Tuesday night in the Schaffer Art Building on the Academy's role in the history of American painting. The purpose of the lecture series, said Jerome Witkin, a professor in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, is to diversify aspiring artists' points of view by hosting a variety of speakers.
Founded by top artists including Samuel F. B. Morse, Asher B. Durand and Thomas Cole, "The National Academy of Design has been geared towards promoting the fine arts in America through instruction and exhibition," Blaugrund said.
Since its establishment in the 19th century, the Academy's predominantly conservative governing body has been forced to adapt through competition with independent art societies with more modern tendencies. The conservatism and tradition vigorously maintained by the academy was challenged in the 1920s to 1930s by European modernism, while artists like Jackson Pollock led the way to abstract expressionism through paintings like "Autumn Rhythm," a style that departed dramatically from the portrait and landscape works of the 19th century.
Though the academy has never rejected artists on a stylistic basis, Blaugrund admitted that artists admitted to the association often have more traditionalist ideals. 1911 marked a turning point in U.S. art, when a group of modernist artists formed the American Society of Painters and Sculptors in opposition to the aesthetics of the academy.
"The exhibition (by the new society) awakened fresh possibility and opened new images of modernity," Blaugrund said.
The conservative customs of the academy have proven to be a weakness, as have continual financial hardships and an inability to change quickly, but Blaugrund and the Academy advisory board are quick to point out that the persistence in the NAMSFA is one of its greatest strengths.
