FACULTY

Cindy MacMillan – Ms. MacMillan, the senior Instructor 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.

Emanuela De Musis - Emanuela began her training with Cindy MacMillan at The Academy of Realist Art in April of 2009 and is currently enrolled in the painting program. Previous studies include Studio Escalier under the instruction of Timothy Stotz and Michelle Tully. In January 2008 she travelled to Italy where she attended The Florence Academy of Art's Intensive Drawing Program. She is a graduate from Walnut Hill School for the Arts with a major in painting and holds a BFA in painting from Carnegie Mellon.

Garrett Vitanza – 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. 

Joseph Pfeiffer-Herbert – Joseph Is entering the final stages of his training at the ARA Boston.  He has been privileged to receive training from a number of instructors in the last couple of years.  Joseph worked with Dana Levin at the New School of Classical Art in Providence, he has worked with Cindy MacMillan since January 2009, and recently returned from a two month intensive study with Fernando Freitas at the ARA Toronto.  He holds a Bachelors degree in mathematics from The University of Washington, and a Masters in Teaching from The Evergreen State College.  Outside of his student and teaching life at the Academy, Joseph spends his time working on personal projects and portrait commissions. 

Sean Krajnik –  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.’”