Portrait Society of America’s annual Art of the Portrait conference is the fullest expression of the organization’s mission “to foster and enhance an understanding of the practice, techniques and applications of traditional fine art portraiture and figurative works.” Their focus is educational in nature with the aim to improve the aesthetic and technical knowledge for artists of all skill levels.
Jie Liu, Hsin P. Soh, stone sculpture, 11 x 10 x 26". First Place Sculpture, 2023.
Curated to be an educational, inspirational and communal experience, the Art of the Portrait Conference brings together leading artists in the field of portraiture and figurative work, as well as aspiring artists, art suppliers and collectors. The 26th annual event will take place April 25 through April 28 in Atlanta at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead.
This year, the conference faculty is comprised of 27 award-winning and nationally recognized artists from diverse backgrounds in terms of education, mediums and teaching styles, among them Mary Whyte, John Coleman, Sharon Sprung, Oliver Sin, Frances Bell and Michael Shane Neal.
The conference kicks off at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 25, with the Face-Off, a demonstration during which 15 faculty artists paint, draw or sculpt their fellow artists.
Paul Newton, Self-portrait in Lockdown, oil on linen, 34 x 33½". William F. Draper Grand Prize Winner, 2023.
“The opening program is like a huge ice breaker,” says Portrait Society of America executive director Christine Egnoski. “The artists will be demonstrating in oil, watercolor, pastel, graphite and clay, making this one of our most diverse groups yet.”
In addition to the Face-Off there will be six demonstrations focused on topics such as likeness, color and skin tones; panel discussions about subjects like marketing and painting prominent people; many drawing workshops and much more. “Even though we’ve been hosting the event for 25 years we want to keep challenging ourselves to create new and interesting programs,” says Egnoski. “This year we are focused on presenting a variety of mediums and creating opportunities for more hands-on instruction where attendees can participate.”
Opening night features the Face-Off during which 15 artists demonstrate rendering their fellow artists. Photos by Robin Damore, Peggy Kinstler and Alisha Joy.
Other special opportunities for attendees include portfolio critiques, artist book signings and breakout sessions with faculty.
Like a centerpiece of inspiration, The Art of the Portrait also includes an exhibition of the top 20 finalists of Portrait Society of America’s International Portrait Competition.Selected from more than 3,000 entries, these artists represent the finest in portraiture and figurative art today. Awards for the winners of the competition, including the $50,000 Grand Prize, will be presented on Saturday, April 27, at 7 p.m. during the Awards Gala & Banquet. Artists Dawn Whitelaw and Ed Fraughton will also receive high honors for their lifelong contributions to the genre during the event.
One of the most popular events, the Portfolio Critiques provides attendees an opportunity to receive one-on-one feedback from a faculty artist about their artwork. Photos by Robin Damore, Peggy Kinstler and Alisha Joy.
“Every year the Portrait Society strives to create an educational experience that supports artists from all over the world in their journey to improve and excel at their crafts,” says Egnoski, adding that a thank you note from an attendee best expresses the atmosphere they are striving to create. “There was a feeling that we all belong to something greater than ourselves, that what we learn is to be handed down to the next generation of seekers,” says Egnoski, reading from the letter. “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.”
For more information, or to register for the conference, visit www.portraitsociety.org. —
Portrait Society of America’s Art of the Portrait
April 25-28, 2024
Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead
3300 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30305
(877) 772-4321, www.portraitsociety.org
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