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Accomplished Artists Leading Classes At Darien Arts Center

Darien, Conn. -- Artists Joe Fucigna, Joe Belisle and Joe LaMorte are leading art classes this fall at the Darien Arts Center.

Artist Joe LaMorte is leading a class at the Darien Arts Center.

Artist Joe LaMorte is leading a class at the Darien Arts Center.

Photo Credit: Diane Farrell
Artist Joe Belisle is leading a class at the Darien Arts Center

Artist Joe Belisle is leading a class at the Darien Arts Center

Photo Credit: contributed
Artist Joe Fucignais leading a class at the Darien Arts Center

Artist Joe Fucignais leading a class at the Darien Arts Center

Photo Credit: contributed

Classes begin in October. Offerings in visual arts include watercolor painting and two new workshops: a Cezanne-inspired acrylic painting workshop for all levels and a critique workshop for the advanced artist. 

Students will be inspired by the great French master, Paul Cezanne in the Acrylic Painting Workshop taught by Joe Belisle. 

They will study the history of Cezanne, including his life, artwork and inspirations, draw with oil pastels to get a sense of his style, and learn basic acrylic painting techniques to create an original Cezanne-inspired still-life acrylic painting. 

Belisle, a professional artist and graduate of Syracuse University, has recently completed multiple large-scale painting and design commissions across the country. 

Any level painter is welcome in the workshop; he will work with students according to their individual abilities. A bonus seventh class will take place on November 19, when students join him on a guided tour of the permanent works of Cezanne at the Metropolitan Museum in Manhattan. 

Classes meet six Tuesdays from Oct. 4 through Nov. 15 from 10:30 a.m to 12:30 p.m., with no class on Nov. 8. 

Fee for the workshop is $225, plus a $35 registration fee.

The new Critique Workshop with Joe Fucigna focuses on helping artists better understand the conceptual underpinnings of their art making process and help them develop a more personal style of expression. 

Fucigna, a multi-media artist with an extensive exhibition and teaching background, has been the recipient of a Connecticut Commission on the Arts Individual Artist Grant, and has been the Chair of the Studio Arts Department at Norwalk Community College for over 20 years. 

The critique workshop is for the intermediate and advanced artist who is looking for an honest assessment and dialogue about their work in a small group environment. Artists will be asked to submit an artist’s statement that explains the conceptual roots of their work and a list of problems or issues they wish to overcome. 

The workshop takes place on Oct. 21 and 28 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and critiques will take place with the entire group. Fee for the workshop is $75, plus a $35 registration fee.

Joe LaMorte instructs the watercolor painting class, which begins its fall session on Oct. 10 and runs through Dec. 12 on Mondays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 

LaMorte, a resident of Darien, has trained at Cooper Union and The New School in NYC, and at Silvermine School in Connecticut. 

He has exhibited in galleries throughout Westchester and Fairfield Counties, and the National Endowment for the Arts has funded purchase of his work for public space. He will demonstrate basic to advanced watercolor techniques and cover all steps toward a finished work, including drawing, color theory, painting techniques and composition. 

Students can work on class projects or on their own paintings at their own pace, and all levels of ability are welcome. 

Students are asked to enroll by Oct. 9 to ensure that the class will run. Fee for the class is $385, plus $35 registration fee.

Founded in 1975, the Darien Arts Center (DAC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing visual and performing arts programs and events for the community. 

The DAC offers educational programs in Dance, Visual Arts, Music & Theatre as well as special events and community theatre produced by DAC Stage. Private donations, grants, tuition fees & ticket sales fund the DAC, which is located at 2 Renshaw Road, behind the Town Hall. 

For further information, call (203) 655-8683 or click here.

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