“Celebrating Our Renaissance”
An Exhibit of Works by the Ronald Frontin Studio Class
Jean B. Chalmers Art Gallery at Lincoln Street Center

There are many ways to learn about art, about painting. But one of the most historic and well-respected is the apprenticeship style of the Renaissance Masters. This type of training fell out of favor in the 1960’s and ‘70’s, but has experienced a renaissance of its own in recent years.

For some time, midcoast artist Ronald Frontin, well-known for his own richly textured realistic oil paintings, had wanted to share his love and respect for the technique that was a large part of his own success. In  February 2010, in collaboration with the Lincoln Street Center for Arts and Education, he launched a 2-year traditional oil painting program, dedicated to making this intensely focused style available to all artists who were serious about their painting. 

In October, students of the Ron Frontin Art Class are celebrating the struggle and the progress of the past 18 months in an exhibit of works in the Jean B Chalmers Art Gallery at the Center, 24 Lincoln Street. While several members of the class are experienced artists in their own right, for many students this will be their first public exhibit.

For members of the community who enjoy art, this is a chance to see how artists become artists – how creativity and discipline come to co-exist. For those who would love to have more art in their homes, but can’t afford the prices in the larger galleries, this is a great opportunity to snag some beautiful works at “undiscovered” prices.  By visiting the gallery and perhaps purchasing a work or two, the community can show their support of these dedicated art students and the Lincoln Street Center.

Members of the community are invited to view the show and visit with students at a festive opening reception on Saturday October 15 from 3-5pm. Please join us for great food, fun, and a chance to see some exciting and worthwhile art.

The exhibition will be open to the public from October 15 through November 10.  Gallery hours are 9-5 Mon-Fri and by appointment through the LSC office.  This show is being organized and hung by Susan Egerton Griggs and Lincoln Street’s Executive Director Angela Anderson Pomerleau,.  Professional event planner, Beth Bull is overseeing the opening reception and assisting in publicity and logistics.  All three have been dedicated members of the Frontin Class since its inception.

The exhibition will show works from all phases of this course, and feature works by David Blanchard, Beth Bull, Amy Cornell, Sandra Dickson, Susan Egerton Griggs, Otty Merrill, Chuck Paine, Pat Ryan, and others.

About Ron Frontin and the ongoing Studio Art Class

Just like 400 years ago, students of this method are required to begin with charcoal drawings of the humblest of objects, bricks. In “the brickyard”, Ron teaches foundational skills –the ability to see, and the drawing skills to accurately recreate that reality. Over time, simple objects are added, as students seek to create the illusion of space, light, and 3-dimensional form.

Oil: Grisailles and Beyond
As students gain basic skills by practicing with Frontin's one-on-one guidance, they graduate to grisaille painting with oil. After learning the grisaille phase of the study, white is added to the palette in creation of opaque black and white paintings. The next level of study is color painting with oil (back to the brickyard again), in the recommended palette Frontin uses. Still life set ups are created for each area of study within the studio, with students working at 4 or 5 different levels simultaneously.

Advanced Study
Finally oil painting at the most advanced level of still life, landscape and portraiture is practiced. Personal projects are encouraged. An advanced level course is being formed for those who’ve stuck with the program, and are ready to focus on portraiture and find a personal direction in their work.

Joining the Few and the Proud
New students are regularly admitted and supported from the beginning stage into the most advanced. Once a month new students are admitted, with an introduction given before class starts, and are brought through the first phase of the course together. The class is held in a large Studio at Lincoln Street Center on Wednesday and Friday evenings from 5-8 pm. Inquire about this program by calling Lincoln Street Center’s office at 594-6490 or by e-mailing info@lincolnstreetcenter.org.

covered in the Village Soup at: http://knox.villagesoup.com/ae/story/a-renaissance-at-lincoln-street/454603