* * * * * TO TOUCH A LIFE * * * * *
At the Fred Dolan Art Academy, we're in the business of touching
(and sometimes even transforming) the lives of young Bronx artists.
Their stories are as remarkable as they are touching.
Coming from a blue collar world, where the only college graduates they've ever met are their teachers, these remarkable youngsters come to us
because they love to draw and paint.
Once they discover that by graduating from college,
it'll be possible to spend their lives
doing the work they love most
. . . and be paid for it!
It is our mission to work with these young Bronx artists on Saturdays
in the building of the portfolios they'll need for college acceptance,
while encouraging them to raise their academic standing
from Monday to Friday.
After working with us, almost all of them become
highly successful students.
"A Portrait of my friend Jonathan," oil painting by Cheyenne Julien
"Saturday morning at the Academy," watercolor painting by Jonathan Paredes
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by making a tax-deductible contribution.
Just press the "Donate" button below.
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Jeremy Frias, a graduate of the Dolan Academy, now studying graphic design at Bronx Community College. In this photo, Jeremy is focusing on his drawing skills on a Saturday morning at the Academy. We encourage our graduates to join us whenever they can. They are exemplars, the living proof of what our middle and high school students hope to become.
A letter from a Dolan Academy graduate
Hello,
My name is Anabelle Santiago and I attend the Fred Dolan Art Academy. I first heard about the program through my good friend Cheyenne Julien. At first I was skeptical because I knew it would involve a commitment to attend a program and develop a consistency. After I began attending, I realized how special and unique the art program was. It not only let me explore my artistic abilities. It also allowed me to be a part of a really precious community consisting of artists with successful careers who want to share their gifts and young students eager to learn from them and develop their own gifts. Its a slow and sometimes frustrating process honing technical and creative skills, but it is always amazing when we step back at the end of the year and realize that there has been substantial growth within the art we have made. The art directors at Fred Dolan are amazing artists and great teachers; they helped me to realize my potential and strengths within my artistic ability. I have gained a vast majority of my artistic knowledge and skills from attending Fred Dolan - I can say confidently that without Fred Dolan, I would not be anywhere near where I am today in my artistic journey. Fred Dolan's teacher staff are a supportive and talented group of individuals who are dedicated to their work. It's a good environment to be in as a young artist and it's so encouraging to have teachers who have real careers in artistic work - something that the majority of us never dreamed was a possibility. To be surrounded by successful artists and see their work is not only inspiring but motivational. A lot of students who are now in or have recently completed college after attending Fred Dolan make regular visits to the Academy, and I myself intend to visit and volunteer my time as much as possible when I'm older. Fred Dolan is a program I'm very happy to be a part of and proud to tell others I attend.
Postscript: Annabelle is now a sophomore, majoring in illustration at F.I.T.
Pencil drawing by Anabelle Santiago, a rising star from the Dolan Academy