duCret School of Art will host an Open House and Miniature Art Sale on Dec. 4 from 2 to 4pm. Families and local artists are welcome. Coinciding with the Mansion Tours of Plainfield, NJ, several duCret faculty members will also be at various mansions assisting in the tours as well. Now in its 85th year, duCret holds the distinction of being the oldest non-profit, private art school in New Jersey.
For those already immersed in the world of art, duCret is one of New Jersey’s well known historic icons. duCret is more than just a school for emerging artists, it is an artist’s haven and huge community resource. That general state of “public unawareness” may soon change, for in the past year duCret School of Art has found itself in the public eye more than once.
Ironically, it is the artists emerging from the school who are creating larger-than-life opportunities for other artists of the area. What started as an on-the-spot sculpting opportunity for Ralph Attanasia in Buddy Valastro’s bakery one day, led to an opportunity for other sculpting students. For the past few years now, several duCret students have been regularly featured on TLC’s “Cake Boss” television series.
Last year, television producers flew Ralph to Italy to shoot an episode. During late August, Parthenon Entertainment, a UK/Canadian production company came on to the “Fine Art Floor” at duCret and filmed several Tuesday night Open Studio members as part of a documentary on the
featured Comic Con model, Amber Love. Parthenon distributes a diverse portfolio of high quality factual and children’s properties for the global marketplace. This September, a duCret staff member was assigned as tour photographer for Rin Tin Tin and attended American Humane Association’s fund raising kick-off, “Hero Dog Awards” with Whoopi Goldberg, NYC’s Singing Policeman, Daniel Rodriquez, Victorial Stillwell, Orlando Bloom and other TV stars at the National Arts Club in NYC.
Rin Tin Tin, recently assigned as AHA’s new national spokesdog, rang the Stock Exchange Bell on September 7th, honoring all 911 service dogs, several of whom gave their lives in the trade tower rescue effort.
Blending visual art fundamentals together with “the business of art” education, the school is unique in that it is able to effectively train its students to have a strong art base and maintain client bonds all throughout their education. As a community resource, duCret has established client relations with many businesses in the local area.
For instance, duCret students designed the Somerset County 4-H summer county fair brochures for approximately 60,000 local residents. Spring Semester begins on January 16th. duCret is currently accepting applicants for the upcoming semester.
To apply to the school, call 908-757-7171 or visit the school between 9am – 4pm, Monday – Friday. Further information can be found at www.ducret.edu.
