THE ART OF THE PORTRAIT ^®
April 29 - May 4, 2004 Boston

Burton Silverman Portrait Society 2004 Gold Medal Recipient

Excerpts from the second quarter newsletter by Maris Williams and edited by Amanda McCaughey

Traveling from all over the world, more than 750 artists from each state in America and ten other countries attended the sixth annual The Art of the Portrait conference in Boston, Massachusetts, an historic town for an historic meeting—the largest ever gathering of portrait artists in history. Of note was a contingency of eight artists representing Australia, who journeyed the longest distance to join us.

“This meeting has been made possible because of the willingness of today’s leading artists to share their extraordinary talents and abilities with all of us,” said Gordon Wetmore, co-founder and chairman of the Society, as he welcomed the attendees in the elegant Imperial Ballroom of the Boston Park Plaza.

 From the opening night demonstrations by Loryn Brazier, Wende Caporale, Paul Leveille and Ann Manry Kenyon to the presentation of the gold medal to Burton Silverman the weekend was filled with demonstrations, slides presentations, panel discussions and lectures by this country’s leadings artists including Everett Raymond Kinstler, Danield E. Greene, David A. Leffel, Anthony Ryder, Sam Adoquei, Allan Banks, Jason Bouldin, Tom Donahue, Calvin Goodman, Edward Jonas, Rob Liberace, Michael Shane Neal, Paul Newton, Constance Flavell Pratt, Patricia Watwood and Gordon Wetmore.

Sharon Danhelka from Canada joined many who wrote of their gratitude for the opportunity for fellowship with other artists, to learn, to be inspired and to meet the legends in their field. She wrote, “What an amazing experience to meet Silverman, Greene and Kinstler— the Rembrandts and Renoirs of today! All the artists were so generous sharing their knowledge and time and everyone was so unpretentious and kind.”

In addition, past winners of the Portrait Society competition are now serving as faculty, including Robert Liberace, Paul Newton, Jason Bouldin, and Michael Shane Neal. Their faces, personalities, painting methods, and teaching styles are now an integral part of the Society’s annual gathering. The fact that the Society encourages mentoring, and, in fact, provides the events to support it, ensures that excellence in portraiture will continue to thrive. Lisa Fournier from Colorado said it best when she wrote, ";I met the most amazing and accessible artists, from Burt Silverman to novice beginners. I rubbed shoulders with others who share my dreams, and yet others who have accomplished those dreams. Inspiration and education were tangible elements infused in the air we breathed. Thank you. The weekend was seamless."

Photos: Randy Sager, Bethesda, Maryland

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