School of Visual Arts Opens in Great Barrington
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Last month, Patricia Navarino opened the Renaissance School of Visual Arts, drawing upon more than 23 years of experience as an arts educator, to offer one-on-one art instruction.Navarino recently relocated from Millburn, N.J., where she founded The Art School @Renaissance in Learning in 1989 and was the visual arts and dance supervisor in the town’s public school system. Her experience as a teacher and curriculum specialist in the schools led to her realization that students required more personal attention to expand their skills and cultivate their craft. Navarino developed an individualized art-teaching methodology, aligned with the school system's curriculum, to help students grasp the fundamental principals of art-making, assemble a portfolio, draft a statement and apply for college scholarships.
Her students have won awards in national student art shows, such as the Congressional Arts Competition and the Scholastic Art and Writing Contest, as well as earn scholarships to schools including Cornell University, Parsons, Pratt, Rhode Island School of Design, Carnegie Mellon and New York University.
Her stepson Rob Navarino owns The Chef Shop, and he rented the space above his store to her and his father, Nicholas, who is co-administrator of the school.
"Our students — even those who have earned full arts scholarships — don't always become professional artists," said Navarino. "The skills they learn through our intensive method of arts instruction carry over into other aspect of their lives; they learn to think analytically not just about applying pigment to canvas but also about a whole range of issues they face outside the art studio."
The school opened its doors this month with a series of weekly after-school classes Monday through Thursday; similar series of classes will be offered on Tuesday and Saturday mornings in July and August. Parents and students can choose a weekly time slot that best suits their needs. Also on the schedule is "Digital Photography and the Landscape, taught by Stephen G. Donaldson, author of "Barns of the Berkshires." This adult class will help participants get the most of their cameras as they learn how to discover the best shots in the Berkshire countryside.
The school will hold an open house and ribbon cutting on Thursday, June 24, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., with hors d’oeuvres from Castle Street and Napa and champagne from Domaney's.
Renaissance School of Visual Arts is located on the second floor of 33 Railroad St. Contact Navarino at 413-528-9600 or pat.navarino@gmail.com.
