The Art Students League | Sunday Arts

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The Art Students League

Posted: May 17th, 2010

comments (33)

A look at The Art Students League of New York on West 57th Street, where amateurs and professionals alike gather to study, practice, and perfect their crafts without the constraints of a traditional academic environment.

Tim Hoy

My only creative area outside of music and poetry is my photography. I’m always in awe of those who can use pencils, crayons, brushes, chisels, welding rods, whatever to create works of art. I have been a fan of Brenda Berkman’s artwork for some time now and it’s lovely to see such a magnificent school that affords her the opportunity to develop further and practice her already significant skills.
Maria Franco

Thank you to the Art Students League for providing a incomparable place for artists to explore one’s creativity with the highest level of professionalism without judgment.
Ellen Singer

Beautiful documentary. I’ve been associated with the League as student, teacher, and again working Sundays in the printmaking studio.
You captured the spirit of the place. It is so special.
Richard Zazulak

Back in late winter while on a visit to New York City, I had the pleasure of participating in a morning open life drawing class. I had heard of the Art Students League prior to my visit but I did not expect the thrill I had when I was actually there. It has the atmosphere and energy of a true art institute. In early June I will be returning to New York and plan to spend more time at the Institute while my wife participates in her own workshop at Columbia University. I look forward to the experience.

Best regards

Richard Zazulak
Dundas, Ontario Canada
Phylise Purdie

Beautiful documentary on ASL. I loved the fact that one of composer Philip Glass’s compositions was used as the background music to this documentary. Good choice .
Richard Zazulak

Further to my previous comments. I will be encouraging my colleagues and fellow artists to take the opportunity to at least visit the Art Students League. The sights, smells and infectious atmosphere take you on an opposing emotional journey. The Institute’s rich history draws one back in time while the rich and progressive talents move you through the present and into the future.

Regards

Richard Zazulak
Dundas, Ontario Canada
Nadine Charlsen

I’ve been at the league off and on for a number of years. This documentary captures so much of the spirit of the league. In some classes I have learned as much from the other students as from the teachers. The teachers are great but if you are lucky enough to get in a class where the students are willing to share as well it’s a great bonus. I’ve broadened my perspective on art, the art world and the artists that create within.
marlene Mayerson

the league has been the good part of my life…. i love the history the wonderful teachers for the past thirty years. Ira Goldberg because of your leadership to the league it has made many people of different age happy to enjoy learn and attend. great documentry… thank you
Dione Isasmendi

I had the enormous joy of taking classes in the ASL during my stay in NY in 2009. The experience was exhilarating, it enriched my views and love for painting. I cannot wait to go back! I learnt a lot not only from Larry Poons (my teacher at the time), but also from the students who were so generous and kind. I simply can not express my gratitude to the ASL.
Rose Ann Albanese

The League has been the most positive force in my life. When you walk through the front door, you get a sense of finally coming home. There is a feeling of completeness not to be compared anywhere else. The instructors generously share their knowledge and experiences as well as concern for your success. Creative juices flow freely. Where else can an artist be surrounded by all the love of art.
joanlemmo

Where are the LANDSCAPES (asl 60 YRS ) +composxitions less talk more abstract water colors etc…Thanks
lore baer

The ASL is the most inspiring place to work, meet other artists, regardless of age, ethnicity, or country. It is truly a melting pot of the best of the world’s creativity. To see artists find their own material to express themselves…. never fails to awe me. Thank you for providing a most marvelous atmosphere. (one of several female welders)
Fulvia Zambon

The Art Students League are my best discover in New York, I study there with amazing teachers, I had this fortune, just to name few: Ronald Sherr, Nelson Shanks, Michael Grimaldi. I’m grateful to all of them for what I have learn. Lot of thanks and love from an Italian/American artist.
LAURENT MAZELIER

I LEFT NEW YORK 3 YEARS AGO AND THE ASL IS WHAT I MISED THE MOST I SPEND TWO YEARS THERE 1 FULL TIME AND I LOVE IT WATCHING THIS SHORT FILM REMIND ME GOOD TIME THANKS A LOT
LAURENT
Michael Dalto

It’s New York, the best of everything
jo stephenson

I really enjoyed your website showing work of student and staff
I would like to take a class at your Sparkill, NJ school during the summer………please give me info.
Toshiko Tanimoto

ASL is best place in NY for me.I visited here 2 years ago and took WC’s session by Frederic Wong.It’s so exiciting!Thanks for this documentary.I’ll return here some day.
Stacy Bergener

This was a beautiful documentary of the League, thank you but it sadden me that you focused mainly on the life drawing and sculpture. There are so many amazing Abstract painters at the League both students and teachers, I would have liked to have seen more of them.
Donald Ferry

To be able to transfer the thin gosemer view in one’s head to art media is dificult. Much of the really satisfying part has to do with the mechanial parts of art. I know that I have visions of the past and present that are the focal point of my knowledge and that which i only dream about. Thanks…
Geoff Schmit

Really enjoyed this. Nice to see important articulate talented students (many I know, all who are current students) representing the league. I liked Ira’s statement about the success of this inspiring place for artists to grow. Impressed by all the new programs that have encouraged professionalism in the last couple years. I love being at the league!
John Salvi

Thank you for a wonderful glimpse into the vibrant art-lives that the Art Students League provides for so many creative spirits. I am so proud to be a member of the League. The opportunity to be instructed by truly exceptional teachers and surrounded by so many talented fellow students is a rare and precious gift.
Ramón Estalella Manso de Zúñiga

Siempre que voy a N.Y dedico parte de mi escaso tiempo a visitar la exposición de los artistas que se forman en THE ART STUDENTS LEAGUE, y a dibujar un par de horas en sus excelentes instalaciones. La instalación espléndida; ámplio el abanico de enseñanzas; excelente la dirección de la escuela. En mi próximo viaje a esa ciudad, como en tantas otras ocasiones, acudiré a ella atraido por su magnetismo.
Enhorabuena.
Ramón Estalella
Katie Russell

I have been enormously impressed over the years to see the true community of artists at the League. The League has successfully created an environment where creative people can interact and surround themselves with people of like sensibility – - not an easy accomplishment in a business-oriented city like New York.
helene stevens

5/19/10
I am belgien living in france painter of water colour i was at the league on 1960/1961 and loved it.
the painter Alfred stevens1823/1906 was some one of my familly he was the painter of wemans and beautufull outfit, and he ony have teach painting to ladys one of them was comming fron the art student leaugue! i am so proud to have been in your walls! thank you for sending me your evant sory for my bad english i speek better than i write helene stevens
Sachin

The clip does not capture the essence of what the ASL is and should be about. Not having academic constraint does not just mean a not having structured coursework – it also means a break from traditional thinking and a break away from the same-old-same-old. All I saw was academic realistic painting for the most part – I did not see any other approach to art in this clip. I have studied at the league for >10 yrs and felt that this clip did not truly represent what the ASL is all about in spite of all the commentary. I have also seen this shift in thinking at the league and that thinking is leading the ASL toward becoming another run of the mill art school………
Claudia

You captured what the League was for me when I was a student,when I lived in NY> It’s such a comfortable,wonderful place to be. Marybeth,such a gifted artist,and a lovely person,you can see her work at the MET. It’s a treasure of instructors. it’s an art students Oasis. Thank you for taking me back there again.
Toots Magsino

I went to The Art Students League for 8 years and those were some of the happiest years of my life. As a foreign student, I was at the League to learn painting and printmaking. Little did I know I would be learning so much more than I could ever hope for.
Now that I’m back in the Philippines, I miss the League very much. But I know I will be back at some point. After all, once a “Leaguer” always a “Leaguer”.
C-Lo

rock and roll !
Leslie Lillien Levy

This was a wonderful look at the League where I spent seven + meaningful years. I miss it everyday that I’m away from it. I’m sure my students get tired of hearing me talk about it. But the League is a unique experience. And I am fortunate enought to have absorbed it.
Michael Baning

What a lovely story. I have always loved art and have taken many classes in college, but I never saw a place like this. I am encouraged to take up my art again in this school. The atmosphere looks so collegial and welcoming — a safe place to experiment and grow. Thank you for doing this story.
Juliana Gondek

I am “the lady” who fell in love with Minako’s marble torso. When my pre-teen daughter and I visited NYC from LA, we walked the quiet halls of the ASL with the same reverence and awe as had it been Chartres Cathedral. This wonderful video captures the enchanted atmosphere of the place. I was so pleased to hear how Minako was touched by my love of her sculpture, which she named “She”. I eventually commissioned “He” from Minako, and “He” and “She” have been living together happily for 10 years. Thanks to the ASL for bringing us together, and thanks THIRTEEN, for this glimpse behind the doors of the League.
shadeed ahmad

This deeply sensitive view of The Art Students League is marvelous and engaging to the point of making one relish insatiably the unforgettable keys provided towards creating breathtaking art. The League’s history swells with inspiration and convincing relevance capable of helping to bring the best out of students who may be on their way to becoming legends. Previously, I have wished incessantly about getting to peak into the hallowed classes of The League and now I would like to go further with my entry, thanks to PBS.
JEANMARIE BRULE CTALA

I TOO HAVE BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH THE LEAGUE NEARLY 25 YEARS AS A PROFESSIONAL STUDENT…….BUT AS BEAUTIFUL AND WONDERFUL AND GENERATING OF CREATIVITY THAT IT IS AND AS STEEPED IN THE PAST FILLED WITH ALL THE EXTRAORDINARY ARTISTS WE ARE AND HAVE BEEN INFLUENCED BY……IT IS DESPERATELY IN NEED OF CHANGE TO MEET THE PRESENT AND FUTURE ARTISTS OF THIS WORLDS……WE CAN’T CONTINUED TO BE THE CHOSTS OF OUR PAST…..JEANMARIE

SundayArts is made possible in part by First Republic Bank and by the Rubin Museum of Art. Funding for SundayArts is also made possible by Rosalind P. Walter, The Paul and Irma Milstein Foundation, The Philip & Janice Levin Foundation, Elise Jaffe and Jeffrey Brown, Jody and John Arnhold, and The Lemberg Foundation. This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. Additional funding provided by members of THIRTEEN.

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