The Victor D'Amico Institute of Art, more commonly known at the Art Barge, is a visual as well as historical landmark that reflects the philosophy of its founder, Victor D'Amico, the founding director of education at the Museum of Modern Art.
Standing alone overlooking Napeague Harbor and the surrounding meadows, its mission of making art education accessible to all has, like the building itself, withstood the forces that have changed so much of the East End.
Art classes with an unmatched view and a roster of talented teachers are once again in session there, with a full slate of courses in a wide range of mediums set to unfold through September.
The foundational program consists of Studio Process classes, which began on June 6 and offer individual instruction to artists at all levels of experience in a group setting. Artists can work in any medium or combination, including acrylic, oil, watercolor, tempera, drawing, collage, and assemblage.
Instructor demonstrations, motivational setups, life drawing, and Friday group critiques are included, and outdoor easels and tables are available for use on the building's decks and nearby beaches. Artists are expected to supply their own paints, brushes, and painting surfaces or canvases.
Studio sessions take place from 9 a.m. to noon, Mondays through Fridays, and can be booked by the week. The instructors, who change from week to week, are Michael Rosch, Bill Nagle, Sue Gussow, and Jennifer Cross. Mr. Rosch is set for the week beginning on Monday.
"Orientation for Newcomers" is precisely that. Jim Bergesen will introduce elementary processes and techniques of artistic expression through daily exercises in drawing, painting, or collage. The course is suggested as a preliminary for participation in other, more specifically focused, courses.
Weeklong orientation classes meet from 1 to 4 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, starting July 11 and continuing for six weeks.
The cost for Studio Process and Orientation classes is $300 per week. Class sizes are limited, and signing up online has been suggested.
Workshops are also offered in specific mediums, including assemblage with Mr. Nagle, ceramics with Robin Gianis, collage with Jackie Hoving and Mr. Bergesen, drawing with Ms. Hoving, encaustic with Bonnie Rychlak, glass fusing with Teresa Lawler, jewelry with Amy Pilkington and Idee Simon, pastel with Kim Norris, and watercolor with Peter Gumpel, Aniik Libby, Anne Seelbach, Corinne Straus, and Mr. Bergesen.
The cost of workshops depends on the medium and length of the course. Complete information about all classes can be found at damico-art.org.
