FACULTY

Cindy MacMillan – Ms. MacMillan, the Director in Boston is a practicing artist who divides her time between working in the studio and teaching at the Academy of Realist Art, Boston. As one of the first graduates of this program in Toronto she completed the rigorous academy program under the tutelage of Michael John Angel in 2002 and then went on to earn a masters degree from the New York Academy of Art in 2007. Cindy has been a recipient of scholarships from the Art Renewal Center and the New York Academy of Art. Her work has won numerous awards and is collected internationally. Teaching the academy program since 2007 Cindy has been described by her students as a patient and effective communicator that goes the extra mile to adapt information to the individual needs of each student.

For more about Cindy MacMillan and her work, visit  www.cindymacmillan.com/

Emanuela De Musis - Assistant Director

Born in Boston, Emanuela De Musis traveled to Italy in 2008 to attend the Intensive Drawing Program at The Florence Academy of Art. Upon returning to the States in April of 2009 she enrolled at the Academy of Realist Art, Boston with Director, Cindy MacMillan. That fall she left for France and spent a term studying with Michelle Tully and Tim Stotz at Studio Escalier. In 2011 she received a student scholarship from the Portrait Society of America to attend their annual conference in Atlanta and was among ten finalists chosen for the Grand Central Academy Second Annual Drawing Competition. In 2012, her painting, Portrait of Ernesto, was awarded an Honorable Mention at the Connecticut Society of Portrait Artists Faces of Winter Exhibition, judged by Steven Assael, and was a finalist in the Art Renewal Center International Salon. She is a graduate of Walnut Hill School for the Arts and holds a B.F.A. in Painting from Carnegie Mellon.

Garrett Vitanza – Principal Instructor

Garrett first attended the Academy of Realist Art when he was sixteen, participating in The “Old Master Workshop” instructed by Fernando Freitas. Garrett grasped the basic skills of oil painting covered in the workshop and executed a self portrait which subsequently won first place in the National Congressional Art Competition in 2004. After graduating High School he moved to Toronto and studied for 3 years at the Academy of Realist Art. Since completing the program he has worked on several commissioned projects including murals. Garrett is currently working on a body of work that focuses on the figure and its relation to narrative and is continuing his education, pursuing a BFA at The School of The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

For more about Garrett and his work, visit  http://garrettvitanzaart.blogspot.com/

Brian MacNeil – Instructor

Brian is a graduate of the Angel Academy of Art in Florence where he studied and taught drawing. Characterized as a voracious learner he has participated in numerous workshops, competitions and fellowships, most recently the Hudson River Fellowship offered by the Grand Central Academy. Brian is an energetic emerging artist with a growing list of international exhibitions. He is represented by The Royal Gallery in Providence, Rhode Island. 

For more about Brian and his work, visit  brianmacneil.com/home.html

Christina Grace Mastrangelo - Instructor

Since graduating from the Angel Academy of Art in Florence, Italy, Christina has established herself as a professional classical painter. In Italy she co-directed a small school teaching the fundamentals of realism, and since 2009 has continued teaching in the US through private lessons and lectures. She has exhibited in solo shows at museums and universities, and is an award-winning artist in both local and international competitions (Art Renewal Center).  Her work hangs in private collections across the United States and Europe. Christina was recently elected as a Salmagundi Club member as well as a Hudson River fellow. She is currently represented by Cavalier Galleries.

For more about Christina and her work, visit www.christinamastrangelo.com.

Sean Krajnik –  Color Lab Instructor

The first student to enroll in the Academy of Realist Art Boston when it opened in 2009 Sean has recently finished his first year and is now assisting with instruction. Prior to attending the Academy, Sean studied at Massachusetts College of Art and Design and with Dana Levin at the New School of Classical Art. Sean is an enthusiastic educator who shares his knowledge with students through formal foundation lectures and instruction.

Article in The Gazette Virginian
March 10, 2008
“A Rare Gem”

Talking about the Academy of Realist Art’s Atelier program.

…“’It’s not your average art class, and there’s no way anyone could not benefit from taking it,’ said Jane Edmunds, a Halifax student who’s been studying at the Academy both semesters.”…

…“Although Mary Barbour is a James Madison University graduate with a degree in art, she too says…“I drive so far (to study) because it is the only place within any distance I can reach that is teaching art the way it was taught in the 19th century academies, with a rational hierarchy, focus on skillful use of materials and emphasis on seeing details and relationships,” she explained.

Also on her resume, Barbour attended an art school in Ohio ‘and for the past four years I have taken classes from a very good Richmond portrait artist. But I have never learned what I am learning now from any of those places. In fact, if I had known this type of program existed when I was a college student, I am certain that I would have pursued a career as an artist.’

‘I am determined to get through this program one way or another,’ emphasized the Richmond resident. ‘Knowing what is possible, I will refuse to settle for anything less… Not only is the program itself good, Cindy MacMillan is an accomplished artist and a wonderful teacher.’”