The Portrait Society’s 25th Anniversary
What an absolute joy it was to be in Washington, D.C. just a few weeks ago with over 750 artists from all around the world! This year’s The Art of the Portrait conference was a wonderful celebration of The Portrait Society of America’s 25th Anniversary. You could feel the camaraderie, encouragement, and inspiration between artists throughout the entire weekend, and I couldn’t help but think of how pleased our founders would be to see this spirit of fellowship that they envisioned continuing on today.
The Portrait Society of America was founded in 1998 by Ed Jonas, Gordon Wetmore, and Tom Donahue with the support of artists Bill Draper, Everett Raymond Kinstler, Daniel Greene, Burton Silverman, and Stephen Doherty, along with our Executive Director Christine Egnoski. When Ed Jonas was in college, he was often frustrated that he could not seem to find good education in realism in the arts. Because of this, he had an idea for an organization that would be a bridge between practicing artists and student artists. Thus, The Portrait Society of America was born and today, 25 years later, it continues to be an institution run by artists, for artists, to teach, inspire, and connect.
This important mission of the Portrait Society–to teach, inspire, and connect– is evident at The Art of the Portrait conference, and it is fulfilled throughout the rest of the year as well. Through webinars, demonstrations, competitions, mentoring, and more, we strive to carry on the vision. Here is what one artist had to say after attending this year’s conference:
“The most moving moment of the convention for me, was when 88 year old Judith Carducci, herself a portrait painter, quoted from memory, a Rudyard Kipling poem while being painted by Rose Frantzen and Jeff Hein, When Earth’s Last Picture is Painted. I was moved to tears, as she received a standing ovation. My heart was stirred by this mounting feeling that artists, particularly portrait artists, come from a long line of great artists, who also pursued this path, learning, mentoring and encouraging one another. Every one of the great artists was mentored, had pivotal friendships and what seemed like an awareness that they were a part of something greater than themselves. This sense of common purpose and passion ushered them into greatness. That idea; that we belong to something greater than ourselves, that what we learn is to be handed down to the next generation of seekers; that generosity continues in the Portrait Society. There isn’t a nature of hidden secrets and guarded techniques, but a spirit of great openhandedness that moves us all collectively into greater purpose, deeper meaning and soulful portraiture. I was so amazed and grateful to be a part of it, to have learned and benefited from living masters, whose own lives had been made richer by the great artists who came before them.”
Another way we accomplish our mission of connecting artists from around the world is through our collaboration with International Artist magazine. Much like The Portrait Society, International Artist magazine is a publication for artists, by artists, and we are thrilled to be able to offer each and every member a subscription to the magazine as part of their membership.
It just so happens that International Artist magazine is also celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year! Our relationship with the publication goes all the way back to the very first The Art of the Portrait conference. It was at that conference that Jack Richeson introduced our chair at the time, Gordon Wetmore, to Vincent Miller, the owner and editor of International Artist magazine. From that moment, a partnership was formed that continues on today, which includes ten dedicated pages to The Art of the Portrait.
As we look back at the last 25 years of The Portrait Society of America, we are encouraged both by where we have been and where we are going. As Dawn Whitelaw said, afer viewing this year’s entries for the Future Generation Competition, “The future of the Portrait Society is indeed bright.” Here’s to the next 25 years!
