Bok Newspaper Summer 2024

Painter’s Paradise

From abstract landscapes to striking portraits, celebrate en plein air season with some of Bok’s fine artists and painters.

1 Marcelino Stuhmer

Nico, oil on panel, 14x11”, 2023

Marcelino’s art immerses viewers in varied narratives and spaces, blending experience and representation through painting, sculpture, collage, video, performance, and site-specific installations. marcelinostuhmer.com / @marcelinostuhmer

2 Shira Friedman

Wait Your Turn, oil on canvas, 14x18”

Shira is a classically trained still life and portrait painter who finds beauty and humor in everyday subject matter.

shirafriedman.com / @shirafix

3 Symone Salib

Art Is Inherently Political ft. Roxy Azar

Symone Salib is a muralist, street artist, and educator who creates community based work centered in human connection.

@SymoneSalibStudio

4 A. Filomena

Untitled, Acrylic on board, 24x36”, 2024

A. Filomena is a Philadelphia based visual artist who highlights issues of womanhood, history, and contemporary topics to explore/honor human experiences visually. afilomena.com / @artbyafilomena

5 Emily Stroud

Now that I’m Not There, oil on canvas, 20x24”, 2023

Emily is an oil painter who uses the medium to combine her present day and her memories to find a new space.

emilyjstroud.com / @emilyjstroud

6 Claire Whitehurst

Time in four directions, ink and colored pencil on mulberry paper, 10x8”, 2023

Mississippi native Claire is a painter, printmaker and ceramicist whose work is about entangled landscapes, light, childhood, and queerness in the context of deep southern religion. clairewhitehurst.com / @claire_downes

7 Lea Colie Wight

Dev, So Far, oil on linen, 32x38”

Lea is a contemporary realist painter, whose interest is people and their surroundings. leacoliewight.com / @lea_colie_wight

Painter’s Paradise

8 Valerio D’Ospina

SW View, oil on canvas, 24x24”

“Italian artist Valerio D’Ospina sets the world in motion through quick and expressive brushstrokes.” - Colossal valeriodospina.com / @valemods

9 Tony Havrilla

The Chile Farmers, 16x18”

Tony is an oil painter who is known for his use of color, brush strokes, and unique imagery. tonyhavrilla.com / @dahavrilla

10 Anthony DeMelas

Birdcage, 36x48”

“There are realms right in front of us—I like to capture them.” pentimenti.com

11 David Guinn

Future Valley, mural in Brewerytown, 2022

David is a lifelong Philadelphian specializing in hand painted murals incorporating LED lights. davidguinn.com / @davidguinnstudio

12 Shira Walinsky

Buzzing City

Shira is an artist, teacher, and co-founder of Southeast by Southeast with Mural Arts Philadelphia, a community space created for and with refugee and immigrant communities. shirawalinsky.net / @shirawalinsky

13 Sierra Montoya Barela

Motherly, Acrylic on canvas, 52x40”

Denver native Sierra studied painting at the Rhode Island School of Design and now works as an artist and industrial designer. sierramontoyabarela.com / @smbarela

14 Lynn Snyder

Golden Yellow Translucence, oil on linen, 20x16”

Lynn is a realist painter and artist who teaches at Studio Incamminati where she was trained. lynnsnyderart.com

15 Gregory Markus

Other Worldly, acrylic on watercolor paper, 58x40”

Gregory’s work offers pure, spontaneous eruptions of color, various textures, and abstract form. @markoart.us

Vintage Enamel Party by Liz Kamens, Studio Incamminati fellow. Oil on board, 16x20” 2023

Getting Real-ist with Studio

Incamminati

Step onto the 7th floor of Bok and enter the colorful, expressive world of atelier art school, Studio Incamminati.

How did Studio Incamminati come to be?

Studio Incamminati (SI) was founded by Nelson Shanks and his wife Leona in 2002. Nelson (1937-2015) was a world-renowned painter and art teacher who was influential in the revival of Classical Realism painting in the US. Some of his famous subjects include President Clinton, Princess Diana, and Pope John Paul II. In the late 1990s, Nelson held painting workshops in response to the growing demand for serious art instruction. These workshops eventually developed into a full-time atelier program dedicated to the study, practice, and spread of realist art, using the philosophy and techniques espoused by Nelson. Incamminati means “those who are progressing” in Italian. Studio Incamminati provides a place where artists devoted to realism can study painting and acquire other skills necessary for successful artistic careers.

Why is this type of school important to this art form?

Ateliers offer an opportunity to study under master artists and take a deep dive into classical artistic skills such as draughtsmanship and oil painting. There are fewer than 30 ateliers in the US, and Studio Incamminati is one of only two ateliers in the nation to offer a BFA degree. Interest in ateliers is growing as a meaningful way to engage with the world and to achieve a beauty that is authentic and compelling. SI is particularly unique in its focus on expressive color theory, figurative art, and realist techniques. Students from all around the world come to study at SI.

Get to know some of SI’s

Stephen C. Bush

Photos by Mike Persico

Who

is Studio Incamminati for?

Anyone interested in this art medium. Making art is like learning to swim or playing a musical instrument: commitment is the one essential pre-requisite. The SI curriculum is renowned for its efficacy, both in giving beginners a solid set of skills and in enabling professionals to reach new levels of expertise.

What types of programs does SI offer?

Besides SI’s accredited 4-year programs leading to a BFA or an Advanced Fine Arts Diploma, offerings include short workshops, Continuing Education night classes, weekend public “Open Studio” sketch clubs, community outreach courses, and tailored classes for private events. Educational offerings are updated frequently on the SI website. Whether you are a professional or aspiring artist, all levels are welcome.

recent graduates...

Merle Manwaring

I graduated in 2024. I am from Falls Church, VA. My favorite class was Figure Painting with Lea Wight and JaFang Lu. This technique is special because it is one that, if mastered, grants an artist the utmost freedom to create. My biggest takeaway from my time at SI is stand back and squint. My dream thing to paint is air.

How is SI involved in the greater Philadelphia community?

SI works with ProjectHome and Federation Housing to bring artistic study within reach of all communities. Collaborations with partners such as Andalusia Foundation, the Philadelphia Ballet, and the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra fuel the creative energies of SI.

How can readers get involved with the school?

Join a workshop, visit exhibitions in the gallery space, and come on weekends for Open Studio sketch club. Visit the website or call (215) 5927910 for more information or to register.

studioincamminati.edu / @studioincamminati

Looking ahead...

Summer Programs

Ready to get lost this summer in the world of art? Current offerings at SI include Interpreting the Figure, Using Rhythmic Relationships in the Portrait, Expressive Portrait Drawing, and Aesthetic Anatomy: Drawing Like the Renaissance Masters.

Fall Offerings

Prepare your paintbrushes! SI’s Fall Continuing Education night classes, including Portrait Painting, Drawing and Painting the Figure, and Graphite Figure Drawing, are open for registration.

From Philly With Love

I graduated in 2023 and am currently a fellow. I am from Wallingford, PA. I chose Studio Incamminati because they teach the traditions of realist art with a contemporary approach to color. These skills will inform and inspire my creativity no matter the subject or medium. My biggest takeaway from my time at SI is that progress takes time, energy, and concentrated focus.

This past April, SI student Sarjan Dhakal spearheaded the “Soul of the Himalaya” event, in which 36 American artists painted seven Philadelphiabased Nepalis in their cultural dress. The paintings will be exhibited at SI this August with proceeds benefiting skill enrichment in Nepal, Sarjan’s home country.

nights

Check out Bok Bar’s reoccuring events, with more to be announced this season. Event tickets available at bokbar.ticketleap.com

Darnel’s Bake shop + cafe darnelscakes.com

Jezabel’s Cafe Argentinian cuisine jezabelscafe.com

Bok Bar partners with local chefs for monthlong popups featuring some can’t-miss munchies. Peep the menu at bok-bar.com.

Season + Hours

April 11 to November 3, 2024 (Bok Bar’s longest season yet!)

Wednesdays + Thursdays 5pm – 11pm Fridays 5pm – 12am

2pm – 12am

Puyero Venezuelan cuisine puyeroflavor.com

North Pizza Pizza with Purpose downnorthpizza.com

Getting in + up

Bok Bar is located on the 8th floor of Bok. The entrance is at 800 Mifflin Street, nearest 8th Street, and the bar is only accessible via the building’s Center elevator.

Bok Bar is open on a first come, first serve basis. Parents, bring your kids (under 12) before sunset any day; otherwise kids of all ages are welcome with a parent or guardian on Sunday for Family Day. Dogs allowed at any time!

2pm – 10pm Raise the Roof When the warm weather hits, Bok Bar is it!

Get to know some of the friendly faces behind the bar...

Hi, my name is Dani. I live in Queen Village. This is my 4th summer at Bok Bar. My Bok Bar beverage of choice is the Gin Membership cocktail. This season I am looking forward to any live music! Or our FOH DJ series. Other than Bok Bar, my favorite South Philly spot is Shot Tower Coffee. When not at Bok Bar you can find me people watching in Washington Square Park. I could chat all shift about Nic Cage movies.

Hi, my name is Kevin. I live in Northern Liberties. This is my 6th summer at Bok Bar. My favorite Bok Bar memory is playing our rain playlist when it rains! This season I am looking forward to using our beer cart that Holly Simple has decorated. Other than Bok Bar, my favorite South Philly spot is getting down at the Dolphin with other Kevins. When not at Bok Bar you can find me assisting Lauren Rider Ceramics or in my friend’s garage working on a motorcycle.

Hi, my name is Janean. I live in West Philly. This is my 7th summer at Bok Bar. My favorite Bok Bar memory is my first time experiencing the fireworks on the roof—I was blown away by the show our South Philly neighbors put on. This season I am looking forward to Bok Alumni Day. Other than Bok Bar, my favorite South Philly spot is Blue Corn in the Italian Market. I could chat all shift about classics that hip-hop producers sample.

Bok Bar on Instagram for

Brittany Lynn and the Drag Mafia

Sunset Yoga with KG Strong

Summer Concert Series

Boot Scoot line dancing with DJ Hugocito

Salsa

with DJs Big George and VSpice

What’s Next

B[L]OK Party

Saturday, June 15

Bok’s spin on the classic summer block party, you’re invited to join us for performances by local dance groups, activities for kids, live music, craft vendors, and of course a bounce house! Bring your friends and family to this free community event from noon to 4:00pm on Mifflin Street, between 8th + 9th Streets. It’s a joy-filled day that embodies the community spirit of Bok and of our wider neighborhood!

Making Time “You’re Welcome America” Fourth of July Party

Thursday, July 4

Celebrate Independence Day overlooking the Philly skyline. Join Dave P. for a special Making Time party at Bok Bar from 2:00pm10:00pm. Plus, get front row seats to the infamous South Philly amateur fireworks shows!

Alumni

Day

Sunday, August 18

Every August we welcome hundreds of Bok Vocational Tech graduates back to their old stomping grounds for an all-day celebration that reconnects former classmates, teachers, and friends. Join our community for a day packed with fun activities including tours, slideshows, pick-up basketball in the gym, live music, and a reception at Bok Bar. Go Wildcats!

Design Smith & Diction

Produced by scout

Layout, illustrations + content Kelley Garrard

B[L]OK Party

Cover painting Plane Back Home by Claire Whitehurst