Author: Ava Ash-Waichulis

“An artist is above all a human being, profoundly human to the core. If the artist can’t feel everything that humanity feels… he must not dare to call himself an artist.” — Diego Rivera Public art has long been a mirror for community life. It is sometimes aspirational, sometimes confrontational, but always reflective of the people who live among it. Nowhere is this legacy more vividly painted than in the murals of Diego Rivera, the 20th-century Mexican master who transformed blank walls into canvases of revolution, labor, and national identity. But Rivera’s spirit did not vanish with the conclusion of…

In an art studio setting, critique can often feel like a high-wire act. To be most productive, it often calls for a complex balance of openness and discernment, combined with honesty and kindness. At its best, critique isn’t a threat but rather a lifeline. It is not about tearing down but about building up. It offers a vital framework for growth, and most importantly, it is a communal act rooted in dialogue, trust, and the shared belief that we rise highest when we rise together. In a thriving educational environment, critique is more than a single moment. It is an…

Artist Mark McDermott continues to gain recognition on the national stage! His oil painting Old School (Oil on Panel, 9×12″) has been juried into the Salmagundi Club’s Fall Painting, Sculpture & Graphics Exhibition in New York City—one of the Club’s longest-running juried showcases, featuring works from leading contemporary realist and representational artists across the country. Earlier this year, the same painting earned First Place in the Richeson Small Works Show, underscoring McDermott’s precision and sensitivity in small-format composition. Old School reflects his command of form and atmosphere, qualities that continue to define his contribution to today’s realist tradition. To see…