THE ART OF THE PORTRAIT ^® Annual Conference
April 26 - 29, 2001 Chicago, Illinois

Burton Silverman

Morley Safer Keynote Speaker

Daniel E. Greene Gold Medal Recipient

Everett Raymond Kinstler

Willam F. Draper

Paul Leveille

P. Baumgaertner

Wende Caporale

Ann Manry Kenyon

Bart Lindstrom

Jacob Collins

Sandra Carpenter

Stephen Doherty Editor, American Artist Magazine

Calvin J. Goodman Art Marketing Consultant

Karin Wells

Dean Paules

The Portrait Society of America hosted its third annual The Art of the Portrait® conference at the beautiful Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Chicago. Our featured conference speakers this year were William Draper, Everett Raymond Kinstler and Burton Silverman. The Society presented its highest honor, the Gold Medal, to Daniel Greene, in recognition of his outstanding career in painting and teaching. We also heard valuable insight from some of this country's most accomplished artist and experts including: Peggy Baumgaertner, Wende Caporale, Judith Carducci, Sandra Carpenter, Brian Davis, M. Stephen Doherty, Cedric Egeli, Joanette Egeli, Calvin Goodman, Ann Manry Kenyon, Peggy Kinstler, Paul Leveille, Vincent Miller, Donna Pickman Nash, Thomas Nash, Dean Paules, Jack Richeson, Henry Ward, and Karin Wells.

Four inspirational days of demonstrations, lectures and presentations delighted, informed and motivated the 650 portrait artists who attended the conference. The conference provided an unparalleled opportunity for aspiring and professional artists alike to meet each other and learn first-hand from some of the leading portrait artists of our day.

Vice Chairman of the Portrait Society of America, Edward Jonas, opened the 2001 Art of the Portrait conference with the question "What brings us all together?" In his motivational welcome to conference participants, Jonas answered the question by saying "inspiration and encouragement to master one of the most demanding professions." This year the Portrait Society continued its tradition of bringing together many of the masters in the field to share their skill and knowledge of the demanding discipline of portraiture. Portrait Society member, Julie Flom Pizzo wrote, "I was near empty when I arrived and left filled with a renewed spirit! New ideas are still floating around in my head. I think every artist needs to regroup once a year, and what better way than with other artists who generously give of their time."

Attendees also found time to visit the largest portrait trade show the Portrait Society has hosted to date and ask questions about new and classic products, as well as magazines, books, videos and web sites. Several of the booths even offered additional portrait demonstrations. A guided tour of the astonishing collection of portraits at the world-famous Art Institute of Chicago capped off the weekend.

When asked why they chose to attend, the portrait artists at the conference listed a whole host of reasons - inspiration, camaraderie, motivation, information, great tips, solutions and business direction. But all reported that they were going home with precisely what they'd been looking for.

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