American Artists Professional League : 96th grand national exhibition
Date
Location
Exhibition Hours
Monday – Friday | 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Saturday – Sunday | 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Admission
Open to the public
Free to attend
Reception
November 1, 2024, 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Refreshments and nibbles will be provided
RSVP required
The 96th Grand National Exhibition, a gathering of the finest paintings and sculpture from across the country in a museum-worthy exhibition, will present a vibrant, fresh spin on representational still life, landscapes, and figurative work. This comprehensive exhibition features oil & acrylic paintings, watercolors, sculpture, and drawings from more than 100 artists. Curated by the AAPL, most works of art will be for sale.
The AAPL is a non-profit organization comprising a curated group of member artists representing the finest in American realism. The AAPL’s mission is to encourage and protect artists’ interests, promote high standards of beauty, integrity, and craftsmanship, and to emphasize the importance of educational support for young artists. The AAPL sponsors scholarships for the Art Students League of New York and the Art Renewal Center.
Opening on Oct. 28th and running through Nov. 15th, the works will be displayed in the Skylight Gallery. Awards will be announced at the reception, on Nov. 1, 5:00-7:30 pm, along with a silent auction of exquisite nude oil paintings by Kenju Urakubo, and a live painting demonstration by master pastelist Karen Israel. The schedule of events is posted at AAPLinc.org/96-gne.
All admirers of figurative realism are invited to participate in the silent auction. Two exquisite paintings by Kenju Urakubo will be offered to the highest bidders in a silent auction and displayed at the exhibition before the drawing. Information about the paintings on offer is at AAPLinc.org/auction.
Japanese American artist, Kenju Urakubo’s work has been shown in prestigious galleries and museums, winning him numerous awards. For more than two decades, Kenju’s serene oil paintings of female nudes graced AAPL’s Grand National Exhibitions, earning him Signature status. Kenju was a finalist in the 2nd ARC Salon and an award winner in the 3rd ARC Salon. Rumi, the late Kenju’s wife, has generously donated several paintings to AAPL. To honor Kenju and Rumi’s longtime patronage, a scholarship will be established with 100% of the proceeds from the paintings. The Rumi & Kenju Urakubo Scholarship will be awarded to a student of classical realism studying at an ARC-approved American atelier.
The AAPL will award over $35,000 in prizes. The Grand National Exhibition wouldn’t be possible without the generous sponsorship of the following organizations:
Ampersand Art Supply; Artwork Archive; Blick Artist Materials; Chelsea Classical Fine Art Materials; FASO/Bold Brush; Fine Art Connoisseur; Golden Artist Colors, Inc.; HK Holbein Inc.; International Artist Publishing; Inspired Arts League; Jack Richeson &
Co. Inc.; Jerry’s Artarama; Judson’s Art Outfitters; M. Graham & Co.; Michael Harding Paints; Rosemary and Company; Sentient Academy; and SourceTek Canvas Panels, among others.
Brandon Soloff, awards judge for the 96th Grand National Exhibition, is a classically trained painter and portraitist whose work has been commissioned and exhibited throughout the United States and Europe. An experienced art instructor, he founded and teaches at Chelsea Classical Studio and has taught at the National Academy School, the Art Students League of New York, Studio 126, and Studio415ny. Having conducted workshops in Europe and the U.S., he paints from life, believing a strong rapport with each subject or model enhances the collective experience and is critical for a unique rendering on canvas. His commissioned portraits are on permanent display at Dartmouth College and Westmont College. His work has also been commissioned by various businesses and is represented in many private collections.