To advance the cause of the fine arts in America, through the promotion of high standards of beauty, integrity and craftsmanship in painting, sculpture and the graphic arts.
To emphasize the importance of order and coherent communication as prime requisites of works of art through exhibitions and publications.
Cover images: Award winning artworks from the 95th Grand National Exhibition
In the 1920’s a group of celebrated artists decided to organize for the protection of the interests of artists. The standardization of the quality of artists’ pigments, the promotion of high standards of artistic performance, integrity and craftsmanship were among the original purposes. The majority of this Committee were members of the National Academy of Design, the Salmagundi Club and the Society of Illustrators.
The first problems to be considered were the inferior manufacture of artist’s paint and obtaining commissions of official portraits for American Artists. Too many European painters were coming to Washington, D.C., and receiving commissions for official portraits while American Artists were neglected. Albert T. Reid knew his way around Washington, D.C. and persuaded a California Senator to attach a rider to a Congressional Bill. This rider specified that all official portraits, paid for with taxpayers’ money, were to be painted by American Artists. “The American Artists Professional League,” now referred to as the AAPL, achieved its first success, and to this day our government’s official portraits in Washington, D.C., are painted by American Artists.
Wilford Conrow’s specialty was the chemical and physical purity of pigments. Through his efforts, a fund of $3500 was obtained from the Carnegie Corporation Endowment Fund for a program of color pigment research. Dr. Martin Fischer undertook the investigation at the University of Cincinnati. It was completed in 1932, making the AAPL the country’s authority on artists’ pigments. The AAPL was also instrumental in securing the U.S. Bureau of Standards’ original set of government-sponsored standards for artist’s colors. These standards were updated in 1962. All major manufacturers of artist’s paint followed AAPL standards, and to this day each tube of paint states: “Statement of contents as recommended by The American Artists Professional League.” The AAPL was not – and is not – compensated in any way for these recommendations. It was and is done as a service to all artists.
In 1930 AAPL founded American Art Week, and sponsored its observance nationally during the first week in November. Rising costs and diminishing funds necessitated its discontinuance in the early ’70’s. Proclamations by Governors and Mayors attested to the program’s desirability and success. In the words of President Eisenhower, in a telegram to the League in 1959:
“American Art Week invites the attention of our people to the heritage and vigor of creative America. We are grateful for American artists who have achieved success in the past, and we are appreciative of their efforts in the present day. Their works contribute much to our capacities to see, to understand, and to enjoy the wonders of this world and the human spirit.”
The AAPL Board of Directors sincerly endeavor to continue to provide opportunities for our patrons and members to “enjoy the wonders of this world and the human spirit.”
FROM AAPL PRESIDENT – AKI KANO
I am honored and proud to present the American Artists Professional League’s 96th Grand National Exhibition at the elegant and historic Salmagundi Club of New York. Congratulations to all the amazing artists in our 2024 exhibition! We received a record number of submissions this year and your acceptance into this highly competitive show is a huge accomplishment.
It’s been gratifying to help organize this GNE and continue AAPL’s 96-year-old tradition. We are proud and excited about the following initiatives which benefit our members:
• A Semifinalist Online Showcase was added to our Grand National Exhibition! This new addition allows more artists to be included in our flagship show and also allows artists who prefer not to ship their work to the Salmagundi Club to be part of the GNE.Three Merit Certificates will be awarded to artists who are participating in the Online Showcase.
• We will have a silent auction of exquisite nude oil paintings by the late Kenju Urakubo at our awards reception on November 1st, 2024. 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.
• We donated two scholarships to ARC and The Art Students League totaling $10,000 This is the fourth year we have provided an ARC (Art Renewal Center) scholarship, and the second year we have provided one to the League. Congratulations to Victor Pierrey, winner of the ARC scholarship, and Norberto Perez, winner of the ASL scholarship. A work from each of these artists is included in the 96th GNE.
• Partnership with the Almenara Collection. We are delighted to have established a reciprocal relationship with Almenara in 2023, a non-profit initiative to promote realist artists and to use our online and social media platform to connect artists, art lovers, collectors, and galleries throughout the art world. Almenara has donated a $300 award to our show again this year, as well as an invitation to the winning artist to have a work included in Almenara’s 2025 in-person exhibition in Spain. And AAPL has donated $300 to the winner of our award in Almenara’s show. Ben Bauer, the Almenara winner of this year’s American Artists Professional League award, was invited to show in this exhibition. I am honored to be one of the jurors for the Almenara Art Prize this year, too, and I am thrilled to attend the awards gala in Córdoba, Spain in November!
• More marketing with American Art Collector, International Artist Magazine, and Fine Art Connoisseur. We have a special section in American Art Collector’s November issue featuring artwork from the 96th GNE along with a multi-page editorial article. The 96th GNE and accepted artists are also showcased in Fine Art Connoisseur’s November issue.
• Viewers’ Choice Award. We have added a new and very special award to this year’s GNE. Viewers will have the opportunity to vote on their favorite work on the AAPL website. The winner will receive a $200 Blick Art Materials gift card!
My heartfelt thanks to the AAPL Board members who worked tirelessly to make this show possible, especially GNE Exhibition Co-Chair Deborah Gersony. We are very grateful for the loyal support from the organization’s members, awards sponsors, patrons, and benefactors. Lastly, as you will see many artists have placed ads this year- our catalog features over 30 artist ads! Thank you to all you who placed ads showcasing your beautiful artwork.
I hope you enjoy this exhibition – and don’t hesitate to reach out with any feedback on the 96th GNE. I’d love to hear from you. Please email me at President@aaplinc.org
Sincerely, Aki Kano
AAPL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
JURY OF SELECTION:
The AAPL Board of Directors
Special Thanks to Guest Jurors: Signature Members Cher Pruys and William Yenkevich
JUDGE OF AWARDS: Brandon Soloff, Founder of Chelsea Classical Studio
Aki Kano – President
Aki is a New York-based representational watercolorist. Her meticulous and sensitive paintings, which consist mostly of portraits, have been accepted into galleries worldwide, the Salmagundi Club, and museums, and have won numerous awards. Her work has been featured multiple times in magazines including Fine Art Connoisseur, International Artist and American Art Collector. Several of Aki’s watercolor portraits landed on the moon via the Lunar Codex in February 2024 The Lunar Codex includes the works of over 30,000 artists from 161 countries, in 4 time capsules launched to the moon.
Jodie Kain – Vice President
Jodie Kain is a nationally recognized contemporary figurative realist working exclusively in pastels. Over many years Jodie extensively studied classical atelier methods of drawing, as well as modern expressionism in New York City, Pennsylvania, London, and Boston. After a 20-year career in software Jodie is happily painting fulltime.
Karen Israel – Recording Secretary
In addition to numerous awards, Karen’s pastel painting work has garnered the honor of Signature Member with the American Artists Professional League, Master Circle with the International Association of Pastel Societies and Master Pastelist with the Pastel Society of America. Karen is an artist member of the Salmagundi Club, NYC,The Copley Society, Boston and the Lyme Art Association.
Karen conducts many teaching demonstrations and workshops throughout the United States
Lorenzo Cardim – Treasurer
His works have been exhibited in galleries and museums both nationally and internationally and are part of private collections in France, Milan, San Francisco, New York, Washington, D.C., and beyond. Recognized for his expertise in architectural fabrication and restoration, Lorenzo’s work have been showcased in institutions such as the Smithsonian National Museum of American History and the National Building Museum He serves as the Associate Dean of Administration and Finance at the School of Architecture at The Catholic University of America, where he also teaches digital architectural 3D modeling.
Jon Bandish – Social Media Co-Director
Jon Bandish is a painter, originally from Philadelphia, with roots in the Conshohocken area, who now lives and works near the beach in Delaware, USA. He studied Drawing and Painting at Temple University’s Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia and in Rome, Italy. He has worked at various museums and galleries and in many various capacities. His work is focused around nature and, in particular, our experiences of the ocean. Jon is also an accomplished musician who plays several instruments.
Deborah Gersony – Grand National Exhibition Director
Deborah Gersony, a cardiologist turned professional oil painter, specializes in landscapes and animal studies. Her work has been accepted into many national juried arts shows, including Oil Painters of America
National Juried Salon, NOAPS Best of America
Small Works and Annual Juried Art Exhibitions at Ridgewood Art Institute. She has also been a finalist in several PleinAir Salon competitions.
Jess Bell – Fundraising Director
Jess Bell is an oil painter, from the Jersey Shore, who primarily focuses on realistic seascapes. Her work has been shown in various shows across the country.
Nancy
Allen
– Grapevine & Graphics Director
Nancy Allen is a retired graphic designer and artist living in rural Eastern Oregon. Her main interest is equine portraiture and the use of colored pencil as a fine art medium. She continues doing selected graphic design work for a limited number of clients. Her work has been shown in many National and International exhibitions. She is an elected member of the American Artists Professional League, the International Guild of Realism, the American Academy of Equine Art and a former Signature member of the Colored Pencil Society of America
Julia
Bright – Marketing Director
After an MBA and career in consumer products marketing for over 20 years Julia Bright achieved her dream of becoming a professional full time artist painting representational still lifes, landscapes and seascapes. She has received numerous awards and has been accepted into national and international museum and gallery shows. Julia shows her work at galleries in Boulder, Colorado, Taos, New Mexico, and Paris, France
Nancy Stainton – Technology Director
Nancy has been a life long lover of art, starting to draw at age 8. She had to balance art with her profession, software, for many years but now in retirement is able to get back to it.
Alex Tibar – Administrative Manager
Kathleen Smits – Director of Catalog Design
Kathy is a landscape painter, photographer and digital artist. She is adjunct faculty in the Graphic Design program of the Fine Arts Department at CT State Manchester. Her paintings are in private collections in the USA, Canada, and Australia. Her work has been accepted into numerous regional and national exhibitions and has won awards. She is represented by the Pandion Gallery on Fishers Island, NY.
Eva Volf – Social Media Co-Director
Eva Volf is a professional oil painter from Cleveland, Ohio, who is best known for peaceful atmospheric seascapes.
Volf is an Elected Artist member of the American Artists Professional League as well as a member of the Artists’ Archives of the Western Reserve. Her paintings have been in many regional and national exhibitions, have won awards and have been featured in American Art Collector, Plein Air and Vogue Magazines, “Artists at Work”, a Cable 9 TV Show, Fox 8 News, and other news outlets.
Eva’s work is held in numerous private, corporate and public collections in the U.S., Canada, Australia, Europe and Asia, including the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Tipping Point Media and Charter Communications (Spectrum).
PRESIDENTS EMERITI
Sheldon Marks
Peter Rossi
Larry Mallory
Konrad Hansalik
Welcome to the Grand National Exhibition
Dear Friends and Art Enthusiasts,
Welcome to the American Artists Professional League’s Annual Flagship Exhibition, proudly hosted at the esteemed Salmagundi Club in New York City!
This year, we celebrate nearly a century of championing traditional realism across diverse mediums, including oil, pastel, acrylic, sculpture, and graphic art. Our organization’s success is a testament to the unwavering dedication of our volunteer members and the visionary guidance of our Board of Directors. Your tireless efforts and passion have been the cornerstone of our vibrant community and its rich artistic heritage.
We extend our deepest gratitude to the Salmagundi Club for partnering with us and providing such a historic venue for this landmark event. Your support and collaboration are integral to our shared mission of fostering excellence in traditional realism.
As you explore this remarkable showcase, we hope you find inspiration and joy in the extraordinary works presented. Thank you for being a part of our journey and for celebrating the art that continues to unite and inspire us all.
Warm regards,
Deborah Gersony Exhibition Director
ABOUT THE JUDGE – BRANDON SOLOFF
Brandon Soloff is a classically trained painter and portraitist based in New York and Lyon, France. After high school he studied for many years in Europe and the US, before settling in New York (where he was born in 1973). Soloff has exhibited his work at the Hirschl & Adler Galleries, Alan Stone Gallery, Hammer Galleries, Royal Society of Portrait Painters (London), Meredith Long & Company, Copley Society of Boston, Galerie Alexandre Butman (Paris), Salmagundi Club and others. Institutions where his portrait work has been commissioned include the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, Morgan Stanley, Westmont College, KKR (Kohlberg, Kravitz, Roberts & Co.) and others. He has taught at Chelsea Classical Studio, The Art Students League, The National Academy and Studio126.
Here are some excerpts from an interview with Brandon:
To become a great representational artist, do you recommend studying at an atelier or is a self-guided art education supplemented by workshops enough?
I don’t think either is a guarantee. Some useful things are taught, but I think the people who achieve things become their own teachers and develop over a long period.
Many people discuss technical skill in opposition to emotional qualities. What is your view?
Can a technically excellent painting also be emotive?
Yes, but not necessarily.
Can a highly expressive, emotionally charged painting demonstrate technical excellence? Yes. Are there differences in how you teach figurative, landscape and still life work? And what are they? In some ways it is the same, meaning find something you want to investigate or understand and figure it out. But each genre has some different aspects and specific difficulties such as anatomy, perspective etc.
What are the biggest challenges students encounter when transitioning from drawing to painting? Technical issues, pace, layering, deciding how to proceed.
What are the qualities you teach that make a good painting into a great painting? I think people will only make something great if they really invest in themselves and try their best to be honest. Not to worry about the finish.
What are the qualities of a painting, drawing or sculpture you look for when judging awards? An honest attempt at something, not just technically clean. Usually, a sincere attempt will produce an interesting result.
To learn more about Brandon and his amazing work go to: https://www.brandonsoloff.com/ and follow him on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/brandonsoloff/
2024 Scholarship Recipients
Victor Pierrey, AAPL Frank C Wright Scholarship
“When I moved to the U.S. at 18 years old to study under Jacob Collins, him and the instructors at the Grand Central atelier taught me how to observe nature, how to always keep investigating, and most importantly, to be humble in my pursuit of depicting nature.
During my last year as a student, I wish to focus on strengthening the skills I have earned, as well as preparing myself for the beginning of my career as a painter and picture maker. So far the focus has been to learn how to depict the human figure, that alone is a challenge, but I believe I need to add to my toolbox, with the study of perspective, compositional work, and in depth anatomy. After I graduate from the Grand Central Atelier, I want to keep learning and not settle right away into one way of making things. I will focus on absorbing as much as possible from the paintings I love from the masters of the past, and try to combine it with the naturalism that I practiced at school. I plan on making copies of paintings at the Louvre, and traveling to Italy to study Italian art, specifically drawing and sculpture.
One of my ideas for a series of paintings after I graduate is mythological stories. I think it would be a good way to train myself to combine my love of the human figure, and storytelling. It will push me to make ambitious paintings and try things I have never attempted, such as multi-figure paintings. Being from Paris and having grown up seeing paintings from artists who won the Prix de Rome, it feels natural to go down that path as part of my early career. At the same time as training and producing personal work, I have this dream of reviving some kind of art tradition in my home country that is France. France is a country with an immense love for the arts, and I am convinced that this form of painting we are trying to keep alive still holds a lot of power. I would love to start a school to allow people who share this interest for the old masters and naturalism to have the tools to make figurative art.”
Norberto Perez has been awarded The American Artists Professional League Scholarship for Students of Realism. Norberto studies at the Art Students League of New York. Norberto Perez is an illustrator and painter based in New York City. His work primarily focuses on the human figure to tell a story. He also uses traditional mediums to create emphasis on form and mark making. www.norbertoperezstudio.com/
AAPL Frank C. Wright Scholarship
As those familiar with the ARC and its mission know, the Art Renewal Center is involved in numerous projects, all in support of a return to an appreciation of great and enduring art, and to academic, skill-based art education. Student painters and sculptors who are chosen to receive these awards will have submitted examples of their works which clearly reflect the principles espoused by the classical methods of drawing, painting and sculpture and reflect a level of visual literacy.
“Cathy”, Oil on linen, 11x11, $1500
“Thursdays”, Oil on linen, 16x20, NFS
AAPL96thGNEAwards
President’s Gold Medal - $5000 – Donated by: the American Artists Fund
Frank C Wright Medal Of Honor – $3000 – Donated by: the American Artists Fund
Alden Bryan Memorial Award for a traditional landscape in oil – $3000
Silver Medal Award – $4000 – Donated by: the American Artists Fund
Bronze Medal Award – $2000 – Donated by: the American Artists Fund
Award for Exceptional Still Life or Floral – $1000 – Donated by: the American Artists Fund
Award for Exceptional Scenic (Cityscape, Landscape, or Seascape $1000 – Donated by: the American Artists Fund
Award for Exceptional Figurative (Portrait, Figures, and/or Animal $1000 – Donated by: the American Artists Fund
Honorary Award for Outstanding Oil – $500 – Donated by: Claude Parsons Memorial Fund
Honorary Award for Outstanding Acrylic – $500 – Donated by: Leila Gardin Sawyer Memorial, American Artists Fund
Honorary Award for Outstanding Pastel – $500 – Donated by: Flora Giffuni Memorial, Pastel Society of America, Ridgewood Art Institute
Honorary Award for Outstanding Watercolor – $500 – Donated by: John R Grabach Memorial, Allied Artists of America
Honorary Award for Outstanding Drawing or Graphic – $500 – Donated by: Audubon Artists Inc., Catharine Lorillard Wolfe, Inspired Arts League
Honorary Award for Outstanding Sculpture – $500 – Donated by: Salmagundi Club, Hudson Valley Art Association, American Artists Fund
The Almenara Award – $300 and a reserved place in the Almenara Prize exhibition in Córdoba, Spain – Donated by: The Almenara Collection
Viewer’s Choice Award – $200 Blick Art Materials Gift Card
Merchandise Awards – For details go to https://aaplinc.org/96-gne/#awards
Certificates of Merit – awarded to three Semi-finalists recognized and selected by the Awards Judge
Purchasing Artwork
Artwork will be available for purchase during the show dates. Click here to visit the Artwork Store
https://aaplinc.org/artwork-store
Please contact admin@aaplinc.org for inquiries.
Douglas Aja Confrontation
Sculpture
10.5 x 25 x 12
$6,500
Lee Alban On The Move Oil
18 x 24
$4,500
Jimmie Arroyo Anita at Rest
Charcoal
13 x 19
$600
Del-Bourree Bach Star Power Acrylic 18 x 24
$12,000
Garin J Baker
Atelier, Painted from Life Oil
24 x 36
$12,000
Jon Bandish
Fishing South Bethany
30 x 48
$3,500
22 x 22 NFS
10 x 5 x 14
$6,200
27.5
Alyson J Barton The Witchling Oil
Holly Bedrosian Blue Repose Colored pencil
x 19.5
$3,000
Serena Bates Muddy Waters Sculpture
24 x 24
$3,000
Michael Berardesco Signs of the Times
Acrylic
20.5 x 30.5
$5,000
Buon Cibo, Buon Vino Oil
24 x 21
$5,250
Jess Bell Buoy Oil
Linda Besse
24 x 24
$5,500
11 x 16
$1,250
24 x 18
$3,900
Julia Bright Wildflowers Oil
Penny Billings Eventide Oil
Hebe E Brooks Stepping Down Oil
Brian Burt Inspiration Is For Amateurs Oil
12 x 24
$8,500
Marcus Oil 28 x 22 NFS
Lorenzo Cardim So I Can Feel Something
13 x 12 x 20
$3,000
Sculpture
Andres Dela Pena Cabanos
James P Cawley Can’t See the Forest Oil
24 x 18
$2,250
Mary Chandler
Monhegan Houses Watercolor
14.5 x 18
$1,700
Eric D Chauvin
Blood and Dust
Acrylic 27 x 40 NFS
Chris Conover
The Watchman
Acrylic
15 x 12.5
$3,500
Sandra Corpora Portrait of Jaiden, Homage to LDV Oil
24 x 18
NFS
Norman Darvie
Amphitrite and Delphine
Sculpture
10 x 12 x 8
NFS
Beverly M Davis
Solitude view 1
Sculpture
17 x 12 x 11
$2,900
30 x
$3,795
Jenny Davis
Mary Villon De Benveniste
Mika Denny
The Eulogy
Charcoal
22 x 15
NFS
Jennifer Dettmer
The Ivy Jean
Watermedia
20 x 16
$2,800
Gregory DiNapoli
Staten Island Lighthouse
Graphite
21 x 14
NFS
13.5 x 7 x 8
$3,100
17 x 13
$1,800
35 x 27
$5,600
Gary Eckhart
Joel R Edwards
Old Man By The Lake Charcoal
Erik Ebeling
Erin Farnsworth
Allison at 12 with Snowball Oil
38 x 24
$8,000
Tanja Gant Holi
Colored pencil 11 x 7
$1,700
L Gauthier
Laura’s Tea Watermedia
14.5 x 21.5
$1,600
Carla
John
$3,500
Gary Godbee
Michael Gordon
Deborah Gersony
Carol Gromer
22 x 15.25
$5,000
Waiting for the Beat Pastel
16 x 12
$850
20 x 20
$5,200
Barbara Hack
Luisa Gabriela Guzman
Catherine Hafer She’s All She Needs Oil
18 x 24
$4,000
Hallenbeck Nantahala Forest Pastel
18 x 24
$1,600
Larry G Hemmerich
Tranquility Before the Storm Soft Pastel
18 x 24
$1,925
Jim
Katherine Irish River of Light
Pastel
15 x 30
$2,400
Karen Israel
Course Correction
Pastel
24 x 16
$2,200
An Honest Claim
Sculpture
36 x 17 x 16
$7,500
Andrea Jiménez Carrasquillo
30 NFS
18.25 x 13.5
$4,000
30 x 22
$6,500
JuliAnne Jonker Dionysus Oil
Heather J Jones Chief Watercolor 22 x
Rebecca J. Jones (W)hole Graphite
Jodie Kain
Justice In the Grove
Pastel
28 x 18
$7,000
Aki Kano
Tête-à-Tête
Watercolor
13 x 17
NFS
Destiny & Its Ripples
Charcoal
16 x 12
$725
Debra Keirce
Chris Krupinski A Touch of Light Watercolor
30 x 22
$5,000
23 x 18 NFS
18.5 x 14
NFS
Shuk Susan Lee The Enchanting Flutist
Pastel
Kate Lackman Jade and Olive Oil
Zhi Li
Copper, Blue White Vase with Onions
Oil
24 x 18
$1,800
Patsy Lindamood Shadow Play
Graphite
36 x 24
$5,900
Esther Kong Lo Fate Caught Up with Medusa
Sculpture
24 x 18 x 19
NFS
Carol Loeb
Rusted Giraffe
Acrylic
36 x 30
NFS
Britt LoSacco
Anywhere But Here Oil
24 x 18
$3,000
Portrait of Siri
Oil
16 x 12
$3,840
Gayle Madeira
Gwen Marcus
Jasmine
Sculpture
36 x 12.5 x 17
$28,500
Glenn E. Marlowe Self Confrontation
Sculpture
20 x 32 x 12
$4,500
Brian McClear Ideas in Waiting Oil
48 x 48
$8,500
Watercolor
14.25 x 21.5
$4,200
Watercolor
20 x 12 NFS
30 x 15
$6,900
Dan McCrary Relic
Lynne B Mehlman Lavender Swirl Oil
William McKeown Arches
16 x 15 x 11
$9,200
30 x 40
$4,000
40 x 24
$8,500
Christopher B Mooney New York Windows. Oil
Angela Mia Dynamo! Sculpture
DC Morale Dad(Joe) Charcoal
Victor Mordasov Bob Oil
7 x 5
NFS
Elizabeth P Morgan Hanging On By A String Oil
32 x 18 NFS
20 x 10
$900
Valerie Morone Sonoran Saguaro Oil
$5,600
Jessica Nelson David as Mercury Oil
Tess Myers Milan in Rain Watercolor
Scott Nickerson
Dance
Chong Sun Oh Knitting with love Oil
30 x 24
$3,000
She Oil
8 x 8
$550
Beyond the Clouds Oil
36 x 24
$3,900
Laura Paray
Theresa Otteson
15 x 11
$900
Timothy F. Pross
Wintertide - Red-Tailed Hawk
Acrylic
24 x 50
NFS
Lana Privitera Bird Watching Watercolor
20 x 28 NFS
Andrea Placer
Blues Man
Graphite
Cher Pruys
London Calling
Acrylic
8 x 11
$8,000
Galal Ramadan
Curious to know more about you!
Colored pencil
20 x 16
$2,800
Gene S Riley
The Guest Oil
13.5 x 25.5
$2,000
Harsha Rodage Kitchen Treasures
Pastel
18 x 24
$2,400
12 x 12
$5,000
20 x 28
$2,200
Scott Royston Petunias Oil
Carla J Sanchez Meditations Oil
Thomas Wells Schaller
Footbridge China
Watercolor
22 x 15
$4,500
Patrice Schelkun In a Patch of Godlight Oil
36 x 24
$4,800
South Cove Oil
20 x 16
$3,500
Kathleen Curran Smits
Cindy Sorley-Keichinger
Contested
Acrylic
24 x 18
$4,312
Nancy O Stainton Resist!
Pastel
18 x 17
$1,000
Bridalveil
Acrylic
15.75 x 22
$95,000
Robert Steiner
Cindy Stevens Scarlet Sculpture
12 x 10 x 8
$3,800
Jane Stoddard Illumination II Watermedia
24 x 17
$2,200
James Swanson Return of the Water Guardian Oil
24 x 18
$4,500
$10,600
Zimou Tan
Rebecca Tait
Lewis Isaac Testa
Bride
Pastel 17 x 12
NFS
24 x 20
$8,000
24 x 24
$3,400
Thomas Torak Onions Oil
Marjorie Vandestouwe Sister Roses Oil
Kathleen Ullman
Eva Volf Somewhere Only We Know Oil
24 x 36
$3,400
James Vose Red Plums Ripening, or Columbus and His Crew Begin to Worry that the Stories Are True Oil
10 x 10 NFS
Matthew Waryga Easter Sunrise in Rehoboth v.11 Oil
48 x 30
$3,700
Lori Weisenfeld
Pumpkin
Soft Pastel
8.5 x 13
$8,500
Megan Whitfield A Moment of Warm Sun
Acrylic 9 x 12
$700
Sanctuary Oil
30 x 36
$4,200
Theckla White Williams
Purchasing Artwork
Artwork will be available for purchase during the show dates. Click here to visit the Artwork Store.
https://aaplinc.org/artwork-store contact admin@aaplinc.org for inquiries.
Pastel
19 x 25
$3,000
Daniel Zalla
The Model in the Studio Oil
45.5 x 27.5
$8,000
Sculpture
13 x 9 x 10
$750
Phil C Yeh
Bella3
Joseph Zovickian
Orestes
The AAPL Award Winner from the Almenara Art Prize Competition
NFS
Ben Bauer
“February Moonrise,” Oil on linen
30 x 40
AAPL 96th GNE
SEMI - FINALIST
CERTIFICATES OF MERIT
Sarah Means
AnaMarie Liddell Blue Ridge Sonnet #36
Carol Devereaux
AAPL 96th GNE Semi-Finalists
Scott Altmann – (Study of) Abbey
Kurt Anderson – Breaking Surf
Carol Ashton – Hergenhan Plane Tree Detritus
Patt Baldino – European Finches on a Spring Day
Sue Barrasi – Bittersweet
Stacy Barter – Cream and Yellow Roses
Ginger Bowen – Working Girls
Ito Briones – The Englishman
Debra Buchanan – A Piece of the Way Home
Susan Engle Budash – The Last Curtain Call
Karen Burns – Vintage Beauties
Stephen Cefalo – Communion
Jason Chang – Ancient Bridge & Bike
Tracey Chaykin – Morning Swim
Angela Classi – Unmasked
Caryn Coville – Season’s End
Madeline Daversa – Broken Strand
Joye DeGoede – Cool Cat
Carol Devereaux – Feeding Furor
Cristy A Dunn – World Class: A Portrait of Wayne Henderson
Cindy Edzenga – Cove Beach
Sharon Florin – Waiting at Grand Central
Christopher Forrest – Let’s Be Friends
Lillian Forziat – Morning On Main Street
Jeanette Fournier – Upwardly Mobile
Tatjana Garibaldi Nitra – Towers
Marcella Gillenwater – Deliberating
Ryan Gondarowski – Buried Dreams
Katherine Grossfeld – Smile
John Guiseppi – 65 Ford Mustang
Ken C Hamilton – Crail, Scotland
Jonathan E Helsley – Pilot and Index, A November View
Leah Hopkins – Henry Merl and Esther
Jean Keller – All Ears
William Andrew Kennon – Studio Light
Tracy Klinesteker – Self-Reflection
Sun Min Kwon – A lady lost in thought
Carolyn Latanision – Many People, Many Pursuits
Bob Lavoie – Snoopy’s
Marny Lawton – Crazy No. 2
Rebecca Jean Leer – Breezy Day on Iona
Barbara Leger – Company Headquarters
AnaMarie Liddell – Blue Ridge Sonnet #36
Marilyn Liedman – Nova Scotia Boats
Qiyi Liu – March
Deborah B Macy – Scarlet and Silver
Joe Males – Doesn’t Get Any Better
Arline Mann – The Ming Wardrobe
Cindy Marrazzo – Glade Creek Grist Mill, West Virginia
Antonio Masi – Hot Day in Spain
David Mason – The Little Prince
Randy Mayer – No Bars????
Sarah Means – Dialogue Over Dreams and Dinner
Diane Motroni – Bar Harbor Morning
Francis Nguyen – Astigmat(a)ism
Theresa Pergal – Hydrangeas
Karla Pirona – Many conditions, only one portrait
Shelley Smith – Sights and Sounds of Freedom
Robert A Steedman, AWS – Mid March
Arlene Steinberg – Boys To Men
Robert Steinem – After The Storm
Fang Sullivan – Gentleman with Hat
Don Taylor – Cathedral Nuevo
Gabrielle Tito – Girl in Velvet Blue
Clarissa Payne Uvegi – Ruby, Standing
Rosanne S Wolfe – Serviceberry Branch
The American Artists Professional League
is honored to present a Silent Auction to benefit the Rumi & Kenju Urakubo Scholarship
All admirers of figurative realism are invited to participate in a one-of-a-kind silent auction. Two exquisite paintings by the celebrated late AAPL member Kenju Urakubo will go home with a couple of very lucky patrons. The paintings will be offered to the highest bidders in a silent auction on November 1st, at the reception for the 96th Grand National Exhibition in the Skylight Gallery of the Salmagundi Club of New York.
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 Art Renewal Center (ARC) approved American atelier..
Attendees at the 96th Grand National Exhibition reception will have the opportunity to bid on the two paintings in the silent auction. Bidding begins at $1,000 on paintings valued at $4,000 and $9,700.
Kenju Urakubo (Wakayama, Japan, 1/29/1940 – Queens, New York, 3/9/2023)
Kenju Urakubo studied oil painting at Tama Art University in Tokyo before making his permanent home in New York. Kenju’s exhibitions began in the early 1960’s, with several solo exhibits throughout his distinguished career. His work was widely 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. He volunteered his time to the AAPL, serving on the Board of Directors beginning in 2008 and as an Awards Juror for the 80th Grand National Exhibition. Kenju and his wife Rumi liberally contributed to AAPL as patrons. Kenju was a finalist in the 2nd ARC Salon and an award winner in the 3rd ARC Salon.
Rumi Urakubo has generously donated several paintings to the AAPL. To honor Kenju and Rumi’s prolonged 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.
Many Thanks to our Sponsors!
“Return to Hidden Lake” Oil on Canvas 30” x 30”
“Kept Memories” Oil on Canvas 30” x 30”
@jkellerart | email: jean@jkellerart.com
“Illumination,” Watercolor on paper, 24x18 inches, 2024 ww w.a
www.artsy.net/33-contemporary/artist/aki-kano
www.facebook.com/akikanonyc
@akikanonyc
Watercolor and Oil Paintings
www.rosannewolfe.com • rswolfefineart@cs.com @rosannewolfe on instagram
Rosanne WOLFE fine art
MEMBERSHIP LEVELS
ASSOCIATE ARTIST MEMBER – annual dues $60
Supporter of representational and traditional realism. Help to promote, encourage, and advance the cause of fine arts in America. Associate level is for beginning artists, enthusiasts, and emerging artists. Associates Members are entitled to:
•Membership in a nationally prestigious art club
•Associate On-line Show, annual Studio Auction
•Complimentary Newsletters, inclusion in the AAPL Grapevine
•Discounted entry fee for the AAPL's annual juried show, Grand National Exhibition
•Member-Gallery and Member Map entry
•Limited social media reposts
Associate Artists applications and portfolios will be reviewed by the AAPL. To apply for membership as an Associate Artist Member (AA) please email the membership form along with 3-6 images of your work to admin@aaplinc.org. You will be contacted to arrange for the application fee.
Applications are reviewed at the monthly AAPL board meetings. In certain cases, an applicant for Associate Artist may be encouraged to accept an Elected Artist Membership. Associate Artists who are accepted into the Grand National Exhibition or wins an award in a members’ online show will automatically be promoted to Elected Artist Members.
ELECTED ARTIST MEMBER – annual dues $80
Those who have been approved by the Membership Committee of the National Board of Directors or those that have been accepted into one or more Grand National Exhibitions. Elected level is for emerging artists, semi-professional, and professionals. Benefits:
•Membership in a nationally prestigious art club
• Exhibit in Spring Members Online Shows, annual Studio Auction, additional online and in-person shows
•Complimentary Newsletters, inclusion in the AAPL Grapevine
• Social Media Features and reposts
•Discounted entry fee for the AAPL's annual juried show, Grand National Exhibition
•Member-Gallery and Member Map entry
To apply for membership as an Elected Artist Member (EAM) please email the membership form along with 3-6 images of your work to admin@aaplinc.org. You will be contacted to arrange for the application fee.
FELLOW ARTIST MEMBER – annual dues
$80
Long-time Members who have achieved the level of Fellow will retain their status. Fellow is a Legacy level as of 2021. Benefits are the same as Elected Artist Member.
SIGNATURE MEMBER – annual dues
$85
Benefits are the same as an Elected Artist Member, with these additions:
•Permission to append AAPL to the artist's signature on all their works
•Listing of honor in the GNE catalog.
Criteria: Acceptance into three Grand National Exhibitions and winner of one GNE Award.
NOTE: The award of Signature Membership requires the unanimous vote of approval by the AAPL Board of Directors.
LIFE MEMBER – one time fee of $1,000
Lifetime membership as an Artist or Art Supporter. Artists must be juried as Life Members using Elected Artist Member criteria. Life Member artists may enjoy the same benefits as Elected Artist Members, plus the entry fee is waived for the Grand National Exhibition.
IF YOU ARE INTERSTED IN BECOMING AN AAPL MEMBER, PLEASE GO TO WWW.AAPLINC.ORG AND CLICK ON THE “MEMBERSHIP” TAB.
Marjori Abramson
Douglas Aja
Lee Alban
Tony Armendariz
Del-Bourree Bach
Jon Bandish
Sue Barrasi
Stacy Barter
Serena Bates
Brenda L Bechtel
Joy Beckner
Holly Bedrosian
Michael Berardesco
Kim Bernadas
Rose Ann Bernatovich
Arlyne Berzak
Penny Billings
Ginger Bowen
Andrea Brogan
Linda Gross Brown
Michael Budden
Christiane Casella
Jason Chang
Candace Cima
Norman Darvie
Mimi Davis
Kathy Detrano
Jennifer Dettmer
Joel Edwards
Andrew F. Engel
Erin Farnsworth
Kendra Ferreira
Louis Stephen Gadal
Tanja Gant
Alberta Geyer
Lisa Gleim
Barbara Greco
Rob Gregoretti
Joseph Grieco
Catherine Hafer
Dora Hagge
Jim Hallenbeck
Linda Hanks
Annette Hanna
Tom Hedderich
Leah Hopkins Henry
Meng Lung Hsieh
Karen Israel
James Jackson
Jodie Kain
Aki Kano
Susan Klinger
Marianne Knipe
Sun Min Kwon
Kate Lackman
Shuk Lee
Judith Leeds
J.(Jie) Li
Patsy Lindamood
Tammy Liu-Haller
Esther Lo
Carol Loeb
Joe Males
Larry R. Mallory
Arline Mann
Gwen Marcus
Glenn Marlowe
Anthony Masi
Ann James Massey
Brian McClear
Georgene McGonagle
William McKeown
Lynne Mehlman
Jacqueline Meyerson
Eveline Miller
Victor Mordasov
Kate Palmer
Steven Parton
Ann Pember
Theresa Pergal
Tony Piscitello
Andrea Placer
Peggy Post
Gail Postal
Denisa Prochazka
Cher Pruys
Connie Reilly
Richard Ressel
Elizabeth Rhoades
Linda Rohne
Ann Rosow-Lucchesi
Junko Ono Rothwell
John Roush
Scott Royston
Joan Saba
Sharon Savitsky
Michael Scherfen
Linda Sciongay
Kim Shaklee
Marie Sheehy-Walker
Gail Shelton
B.Berne Smith
Rae Smith
Kathleen Smits
Dottie Stanley
Robert Steedman
Robert Steiner
Jane Stoddard
Rebecca Tait
Richard Tartaglio
Donald Taylor
Lewis Testa
Deborah Tilby
Gabrielle Tito
Elizabeth Torak
Thomas Torak
John Traynor
Amy Unfried
John Wahlig
Lori Weisenfeld
Deborah Williams
William Yenkevich Sr
Yanqi Zhai
Dr. James J. Grave 1932 – 2023
IN MEMORIAM
Always an artist, James Graves earned a BFA in illustration from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn then served in the US Army as an artist creating informational materials, subsequently working in advertising for sixteen years. He studied with renowned painters like Frank J. Reilly and Frank H. Mason at the Art Student’s League. He earned his M.A. and his first Ph.D. in Art and Art Education from NYU, and taught art at the High School of Art & Design for twenty-six years. James served on the AAPL Board of Directors from 2012 to 2017, and exhibited his deeply spiritual paintings in many Grand National Exhibitions.”
Charlie Ross 1937 – 2024
US Marine Corps Veteran and AAPL Fellow Maxima Cum Laude member Charlie Ross passed away January 1, 2024. Formally trained at the Fleisher Art Memorial and the Philadelphia Museum College of Art, he then continued his education with renowned watercolorists. Charlie’s watercolors appeared in publications, and were collected privately and by corporations. His watercolors of rural scenes of Bucks and Montgomery Counties and Maine won several awards at Grand National Exhibitions from 2007 to 2014. In addition to membership in AAPL, Charlie maintained memberships in the Philadelphia Watercolor Society, Baltimore Watercolor Society, and Hudson Valley Art Association.”
Barbara Steinschneider Newington 1923 – 2023
The late Barbara Newington began contributing to the AAPL in the 1960’s in her endeavor to “”advance the basic values of the Nineteenth Century as exemplified by the works of Hudson River artists””. Newington’s great-grandfather was Jasper Cropsey, an early Hudson River School landscape painter. The NewingtonCropsey Foundation was established to create a museum of Cropsey’s work, and to train students in drawing and sculpture according to the tenets of the Hudson River School. Since 1978, the Barbara Newington Award has been presented to a painter or sculptor who exemplifies the tradition of classical art that reflects Cropsey’s goal of finding beauty, spirituality and inspiration in nature. Barbara Newington, 1985. Image courtesy of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.”
Sharon Lee (Sherry) Needle 1942 – 2024
Elected Artist Member, Sherry Needle, was passionate about representational painting, training at The American Academy of Art in Chicago and with renowned artists throughout her life. A versatile painter, Sherry worked in portraiture, plein air, and still life, and painted and sculpted the classical human figure. Sherry’s award-winning art reflected her experience living all over the United States, as well as traveling the world. In addition to the AAPL, she maintained professional affiliations within her Georgia community, as well as nationally, with the Atlanta Fine Arts League, Portrait Society of America, Portrait Society of Atlanta, Atlanta Pen Women, Quinlan Visual Arts Center, Atlanta Artists Center, National League of American Pen Women, Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club, Marietta/Cobb Art Museum, Roswell Visual Arts Center, and the Booth Western Art Museum. Sherry’s greatest project was a series of portraits of Georgia’s soldiers lost in Iraq and Afghanistan, gifted to their families.
Lawrence Butcher, Jr. 1936 – 2024
AAPL Signature member Lawrence Butcher’s watercolors were exhibited in several Grand National Exhibitions, winning awards over the 17 years of his membership.”
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The American Artists Professional League would like to thank the following Benefactors and Sponsors for their support for the 95th Grand National Exhibition.
