Atelier Dojo Art Academy Gears Up For Grand Opening Bash

Austin-based art studio Atelier Dojo is thrilled to announce the sponsors and details for their upcoming grand opening event on Saturday, Nov. 17, on the second weekend of the 2018 East Austin Studio Tour (EAST). The event will be sponsored by Tribeza and cocktails will be provided by Violet Crown Liquors. There will be live music by the Jeff Bloom Quartet and photography by Scott Kentros. The grand opening event is open to the public and will take place from 6 - 9 p.m. at the studio's East Austin location at the Canopy Arts Complex (916 Springdale Rd, Building 2, Suite #106B, Austin, Texas 78702). Founder, faculty and members' work will be on exhibition during the event and both weekends of EAST and a special presentation will be made at 7:30 p.m. during the grand opening event. To RSVP, please see here.

Atelier Dojo is a new professional art academy that is the dream of four female artists determined to cultivate a community of representational painters in Austin. Nationally recognized founders Jennifer Balkan, Denise Fulton, Karen Maness and Karen Offutt have embarked on a journey to create a home for emerging and established artists through workshops, classes and open studios. For more information please see: www.atelierdojo.com.

"We founded this school with a contemporary realist aesthetic to have a space where artists could receive rigorous training in representational painting and ultimately cultivate their unique voices," said Co-Founder Jennifer Balkan. "Like the musician who needs to be fluent in their musical notation before they can improvise and riff and write jazz poetry, the painter can best transcend boundaries of realism once they have mastered the fundamental language of realist painting."

Atelier Dojo is a professional art academy and studio in East Austin's Canopy Arts Complex. The studio features classes, workshops, open studios and memberships for artists looking to refine their skills. The Dojo has a talented and diverse group of instructors who teach on a rotating basis. The school believes that the foundation of realist art is the trained eye for observation. Classes are led by artists who are nationally recognized in their field and teach a curriculum based around the classical skills integral to realist drawing and painting. Students are also encouraged to attend open studios where they can hone their newfound skills alongside students of all levels. Atelier Dojo is a haven for all artists, not just those who are enrolled in current classes.

"We've created the type of space that we dreamed about - a place where people who share our passion for figurative realism can come together to learn from masters of the craft and from each other," said Co-Founder Denise M. Fulton. "The Atelier part of our name is a nod to the worldwide resurgence of figurative realism - ateliers are popping up all over the country in response to the scarcity of classical training. Dojo references the intensity of martial arts and the respect our students bring to their studies. Atelier Dojo represents a lifestyle of art study and practice."

The name "dojo" comes from the Japanese word for "place of the way." In other words, it is a place of profound discipline and commitment, where people can come from all over to learn and practice until they achieve true mastery over their subject. Atelier Dojo's founders wanted this place to be just that for the community of artists that they hoped would call the studio a second home.

"Atelier Dojo is a place where both the seasoned professional and aspiring artist can strengthen their practice," said Co-Founder Karen Maness. "You can come to do your work. And stay to grow your tribe. The training you have sought is waiting."

The academy was founded by a collective of four women who all had unique journeys with one thing in common through it all, painting. From the executive boardroom at Microsoft and Dreamworks to Ph.Ds and self-taught art careers turned academic, these four women all found their paths lead to the world of fine art and refined skill.

"With the rate that Austin is growing, we have the extraordinary opportunity to cultivate and expand the focus of representational art here in our beloved city," said Co-Founder Karen Offutt. "Our goal is to teach our students to acquire the foundational skills in order to grow and achieve a more intuitive approach to drawing and painting."
For just $60 a month, memberships are available for artists looking for a creative space to surround themselves with like-minded artists who are pursuing a lifetime of artistry. Dojo membership provides unlimited access to all open studios (average of 12 each month) as well as early registration for workshops, a five percent discount on all classes and invitations to all special events. Classes are offered at various price points and more information can be found on the school's official website. Upcoming workshops are listed below.

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