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Conference Spotlight

"What an uplifting event it was for me to be among the greats.
Learned a lot of confidence, especially when we could speak so freely and naturally with our exceptional Demonstrators who were refreshingly humble and friendly. I am so pleased to have made this decision and being part the Portrait Society and will most definitely be involved as I can with the Society. I want to see this succeed".

Deborah Kerr

The Second Annual Conference in Fine Art Portraiture and Sculpture brought together the portrait artists across Canadian Provinces, USA, Europe and Asia for four days 8 - 11  May  2003 at Jackman Hall, Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto.


The 2003 International Portrait Arts Festival was proudly sponsored by:

HK Holbein - leading Canadian Arts Materials Manufacture from St. Laurent, Quebec.
The HK Holbein granted the arts material prizes for the Winners of the 2003 Portrait Competition as well as presented the order-base sale of the materials for the artists during all four days of the Festival.
Portrait Society of Canada would like to thank HK Holbein Inc. and personally Mrs. Barbara McKay, Managing Director, for the generous support and prizes for the Winners of the Professional Portrait Competition 2003.

Steam Whistle Brewing - The Proud Sponsor of the Portrait Society of Canada, one of the oldest brewing factories in Toronto. The Steam Whistle organized very interesting Factory tour and informal party with lots of fun, freshly brewed beer and pizza for the Festival Participants, and gave the opportunity for the artists to meet each other in informal atmosphere. Steam Whistle supplied the beer gifts for all the Top Finalists of the Portrait Competition 2003 as well.
Portrait Society of Canada would like to thank Steam Whistle Brewing and personally Mr. Matt Wyatt Art, Events Coordinator, for the generous support of our Society during the 2003 Festival.
The 2003 Portrait Society of Canada Annual Art Show (26 November - 15 December 2003) will take place at Steam Whistle Round House Gallery (255 Bremner Blv. Toronto.) We would like to thank our Sponsor for supporting and providing the Gallery space for the Members of the Society.

Novotel North York - the Society second year Proud Sponsor provided accommodation for the Festival artists and participants. We would like to thank Novotel North York and personally Mr. Ryan Duffy Director of sales for the generous support of the Society.

Festival Schedule included four Portrait Demonstrations in different media: oil, pastel, charcoal, watercolor, illustrated lectures for the portrait artists and sculptors, Artists Discussion, Critique Session, informal Party and Gala Awards Banquet.
2003 Top Finalists Art Show was on display at Jackman Hall, AGO. Visitors and Festival Participants enjoyed the masterpieces created by the Portrait Artists from different Canadian provinces and other countries.


Day 1

May 8, first day of the Festival started as usual with the Art Show of Top Finalists Registrations and Opening Ceremony.

Dan Everett Thompson

Dan ThompsonThe Professional Program started with the Charcoal Portrait Demonstration Effective Portrait Drawing in Charcoal, presented by outstanding American portrait artist and instructor Dan Everett Thompson, M.F.A., New York, USA.
Dan Thomson's WorkDan Thompson perform as a master teacher at Art Student League in New York, he serves Board of Advisors of Portrait Society of Canada.
During the Demo Dan Thompson created the wonderful charcoal drawing of the female model, and explained the fundamentals and particulars of human head structure, shape, proportions. He defined the knowledge of basic human anatomy as a key to understanding the Traditional Portrait drawing.


Day 2

Ruth Abernethy

Ruth AbernethyMay 9 morning program started with the illustrated lecture Catching the Essence, presented by Ruth Abernethy, B.F.A., the Member of Sculptor Society of Canada.
Ruth Abernethy has been a full-time commission sculptor since 1986. Her 20 year "apprenticeship" includes a multitude of interesting peoples as she built props and carving for most of Canada's regional theatres, the National Ballet and the Louisville Ballet in Kentucky. Her teaching credits include the Stratford Festival Master Class, The University of Victoria, University of Calgary and the Banff Centre for Arts.



David Bernstein

David BernsteinThe next Illustrated Lecture was Light in Portraiture presented by David Bernstein, B.Math., professional photographer, Toronto, Canada.
David is a masterful "technical photographer" who applies his expert knowledge of lighting theory to everyday work including the photography of artwork for reproduction and viewing. David explained the physics of light and practical application the sources of light in portraiture.



Yuqi Wang

Yuqi WangThe Afternoon program began with the oil Portrait Demonstration The Old Masters Heritage, presented by Yuqi Wang, Ph.D., China.
Yuqi Wang's WorkProfessor of Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts in China, accomplished Portrait Artist and Master Teacher, Yuqi Wang serves the Board of Advisors of Portrait Society of Canada since 2001.

During the Demonstration Yuqi described the method of the Old Masters Portrait application, gave the particulars in mixing technique and chemical composition of oil colors.


The evening was spend at Steam Whistle Brewing Factory, enjoying the Factory Tour, informal atmosphere, meetings and discussing the artists matters.

Day 3

Beth Koestal

Beth KoestalSaturday 10 May started with Watercolor Portrait Demonstration Myth and Wonders of Modern Watercolor Palette by Beth Koestal M.F.A., Waterloo, Belgium.
Beth Koestal is a well known European portrait artist, specializing in Watercolor Traditional Portraiture.
Beth Koestal brought a new wave of knowledge, introduction of many new colors from manufacturers. The popularity of watercolor and the new usages have it moving beyond its position as the "queen of plain air", gathering also a warm reception for the Portraiture.



Gwenneth Barth

Gwenneth BarthAfternoon Pastel Demonstration Finding the Essentials Fast by European leading artist Gwenneth Barth, C.F.C., Geneva, Switzerland, brought a lot of attention of the Participants. The 2003 survey marked this Demo as the "Most interesting Demo in the Festival Program".
Gwenneth Barth's WorkGwenneth is a European portraitist, studied the ancient technique in depth and respects the methods of the old Maters who have influenced her most, from Bellini to Pissarro and Degas.
All viewers enjoyed the high technique of sketching and could wonder the stunning likeness and character of the male model.



The Awards Gala opens with a spectacular Exhibition of 2003 Top Finalists and Performing Artists of the Festival in elegant Tudor Ballroom at Four Seasons Hotel.
More than 120 artists, guests, relatives came to salute the Winners, Finalists and participants of the 2003 International Portrait Arts Festival.

The Portrait Society of Canada would like to congratulate the Top Finalists and the Winners of 2003 Portrait Competition.

Day 4

Sunday morning 11 May continued the Festival Schedule with the Critique Session conducted by Dan Everett Thompson, Yuqi Wand, Gwenneth Barth, Beth Koestal and "Round Table" Artist Discussion. The Closing Ceremony ended the 2003 International Portrait Arts Festival, the Second Annual Conference and Competition in Fine Art Portraiture.

The Portrait Society of Canada would like to thank all the Artists and Participants of 2003 International Portrait Arts Festival and looking forward to see you at our 2003 Portrait Society of Canada Annual Show 26 November-15 December 2003, and 2004 Portrait Arts Festival in June 2004.