THINGS-TO-DO

Student spectacular: Prize-winning works from the duCret School of Art

Ralph J. Bellantoni
Correspondent
Swain Galleries currently features its annual duCret student show, which spotlights prize-winning works from the school's end of year spring awards.

Within a stately, historic Plainfield house, amid placid, park-like acreage, students at the duCret School of Art hone professional skills in a homey, yet intense atmosphere. A mere mile away stands the striking three-story Victorian headquarters of Swain Galleries, where many duCret graduates subsequently showcase the fruit of their efforts.

Swain Galleries currently features its annual duCret student show, which spotlights prize-winning works from the school's end of year spring awards. Fourth generation gallery owner Ann Swain sustains the collaborative tradition that stretches back many decades.

"Swain's has been giving the duCret School of Art an annual show here in July for upwards of 35 years," she said. "The thought of it makes me feel old."

Swain Galleries currently features its annual duCret student show, which spotlights prize-winning works from the school's end of year spring awards.

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The exhibit presents 39 works which earned distinction in categories including oils, acrylics, mixed media, photography, charcoal, stained glass, jewelry, collage, digital, and more, plus a handful of special awards. Nearly half of the pieces are available for purchase.

"The works are very varied in medium, representing the various courses available in the school, and in many different styles," Swain said. "It's great for the students to be in a gallery, and good for us to see what they're doing."

A self-portrait titled "Nance!" by Nancy Reyes of Kenilworth received first place honors in the charcoal/graphite category. She completed the piece for a course called "Mediums and Techniques," taught by professional illustrator Peter Ambush.

Swain Galleries currently features its annual duCret student show, which spotlights prize-winning works from the school's end of year spring awards.

"I was nervous because I never used charcoal before — only pencil," Reyes said. "But now I can see that charcoal makes the subject 'pop' out more — makes it look so real."

Reyes proceeded by first coating the multimedia board with charcoal dust and roughing in the broad features, then creating highlights with an eraser and fine details with a charcoal pencil. Challenges arose.

"I struggled with my nose and lips," she said. "I couldn't get them right! But my instructor, Peter, was always there to assist me."

After a month and a half, Reyes finally completed the piece. She was quite pleased with her "updated self portrait."

"I was surprised how it came out--in a good way of course," Reyes said. "Even though I know how I did it, I still ask myself how."

Reyes has taken classes at duCret for five years, and plans on pursuing a professional art career. She has drawn in pencil her whole life, but duCret helped widen her horizons, and she now specializes in representational works in stained glass and oil painting, as well as graphite.

"At duCret, I branched out, and the talented and helpful instructors helped me tackle my hidden talents," she said. "I never knew I was going to be able to do so much more than drawing."

Carlos Phang Barba's portrait of contemporary Australian singer and songwriter Anna Lunoe earned him top honors in the mixed media category.

"I chose to paint her because I'm a fan of the electronic music genre," Barba explained. "I often found myself working late nights on my paintings while listening to her DJ sets--they kept me going through the night."

The Middlesex resident completed the piece for a mixed media class, also taught by Peter Ambush. Barba likes combining gouache, which he uses for the underpainting, with oils, which he uses for the detail rendering.

"I specialize in fantasy illustration as well as portraits," he said. "Most of my work is inspired by my hobbies, such as fitness, music, and the 90s cartoons I watched while growing up."

Barba attended duCret for four years and is already starting to carve out a career in freelance illustration. The moment he first set foot in the school, the passion and commitment of both the students and faculty resonated with him.

"One of the great things about duCret being a small school, is that everyone knows each other and we created a bond that will last a lifetime," Barba said. "I feel prepared and confident to enter the art world knowing that my duCret family has my back."

DUCRET STUDENTS ANNUAL SPRING SHOW

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, and 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, through July 28

WHERE: Swain Galleries, 703 Watchung Ave., Plainfield

ADMISSION: Free

INFO: 908-756-1707, or www.swaingalleries.com