Gateway Atelier Four Year Curriculum
Year One: Drawing Year
Year Two: Painting Year
Year Three: Advanced Painting Year
Year Four: Specialization and Mentorship
The fourth year of the GACA curriculum functions as a transition for those enrolled as student to working professional. Students will choose one of four specializations: Formal Portraiture, Still Life, Landscape, or Narrative. The student will have a small, dedicated studio for the year and begin building both a body of work and the professional infrastructure necessary for their career. Critiques will continue for the first half of the year and slowly taper so that the student finally works independently for the second half of the year. Critiques will be given by whoever is teaching during a given session. To facilitate the required growth, students will work with a single mentor for the entirety of the year and attend professional development seminars.
Mentoring
Students will choose one faculty member among the four to work with directly throughout the year. The purpose of the mentorship is for the student to draw upon the experience of the mentor in all aspects—technical, conceptual, and professional—towards the end of creating a body of work and becoming self-sufficient. The student and faculty member will meet for one hour a week in the student’s studio space to discuss related topics.
Professional Development
Throughout the year, the student will participate in professional development seminars hosted by GACA. These seminar meetings, occurring weekly, will last roughly an hour and will introduce the student to the beginning stages of setting up a sustainable career as a working artist. GACA faculty will make presentations, lead discussions, and arrange for guest speakers.
