February 9, 2012

Organization History and Purpose

The Portrait and Figure Painters Society of SW Florida, Inc. also known as 'PFPS' was created in October 2007 by President and Founder Renate M Reuter of Ft. Myers.  Renate experienced and felt that there was a lack of classes for portrait and figures in the SW Florida area.  There was also a need for portrait and figure paintings depicting people and animals; therefore, she created PFPS, to fill the need she saw.  PFPS received it’s 501c3 status in early 2009 with the State of Florida.  Its mission is to promote fine art portraiture and figure painting, while educating its members and the general public.

We have members from various states and other countries, such as, Canada, Germany, France, and England.  During the last five years, we have been able to award two scholarships and two grants to artists attending the Portrait and Figure Society of America’s Convention in Atlanta in 2011 and 2 workshops.  We hope to repeat it next year, and, possibly award more scholarships for the deserving delegates and deserving students with the help of the City of Fort Myers,

which has assisted us in coming this far.

Over our few years, PFPS has sponsored several workshops with great artists, such as  Steven Assael of New York,  Robert Liberace, VA, Charles Miano of Sarasota, Douglas Flynt of Ft Myers, Neil Walling of Bonita Springs, and Greg Biolchini of North Ft. Myers.   We hold a weekly open drawing and painting session on Saturdays which are open to the public at

Robb and Stuckey International in Ft. Myers. 

Steven Assael will be back be popular demand for our March Workshop this year; there are a few openings left.  We will celebrate our Fifth Anniversary at the end of October 2012.  We have instructors for teaching the fine arts and we assist in development of individual artists and students.   We are lining up Member Exhibitions for the public all over Southwest Florida.  We welcome potential members to our Demo by Mr. Assael on March 7 at the Clarion Hotel. If interested in any above events, one may call Rene Reuter at 239-481-2081 or Julie Olander at 239-948-9695 for more information or see ourwebsite: www.portaitandfigure.org.  

At Robb & Stucky International:

Little Jack on Left: Students are getting younger and younger,              Right: Open Session at Robb

The essence of our Mission Statement is:  

• To foster and enhance and upgrade aesthetics, culture, and technical knowledge of fine art portraiture and figurative work by instilling individuals with feeling of self-worth, positive attitudes, new possibilities, and help coping with change and caring. We like to support this with scholarship programs for deserving and talented aspiring artists, affordable training and study opportunities assisted or provided by this organization.

Included in our Future Plans:

• With the assistance of our sponsors and dedicated members, we are going forwards with the hope to have our own building and to implement all our plans sooner to benefit our areas and the fine art development.

Our Vision is to Have:

Our permanent location, whether leased, purchased or built should have space for the following:

A large classroom for teaching the fine arts

• 
  A large gallery for revolving public exhibitions for members and talented students. A convenient location near a major highway is preferred if possible.

Our Referral Program should also have a central location to display a portfolio containing examples of work from our Juried and above status members.

• 
  A resource library to house our extensive collection of books and videos, as well as archiving a slide library of previous exhibitions, the entire collection of Educational Books and our Permanent Historical Records.
• 
  A large open area (enough to seat at least 150 plus guests) for demonstrations, meetings, workshops, lectures, sketch groups and various classes. One should be large enough to hold exhibitions and events.
• 
  One or two offices for administrative needs, and storage for all our property such as the projector, easels, promotional materials, etc.
• 
  And best of all, a place where members can go to be surrounded by fellow portrait painters.
  
  

Noted Results:

We have been able to award 2 scholarships  and 2 contributions to artists attending art conventions in 2011.

We are looking forward and hoping to repeat it next year.

We definitely made a tremendous impact and contributed to the awareness of the portrait and figure

fine art in all our areas - national and international.

Many art organizations have increased their arts for portrait and figures.
We are now working on to increase the culture for the fine arts here in SW Florida and hope that many higher schools will add pertinent classes and degrees to their curriculum.
We obtained and maintained our 501c3 non-profit status.
We are celebrating our Fourth Anniversary at the end of October 2011 and continue to grow.
Our basic Website: www.portaitandfigure.org has been open since March 2010 with over 3900 hits.
• We have teachers teaching the fine arts and assist in your development.
• The Portrait Society of America 's Florida Ambassador will give a 'Meet and Greet' together with a demo by Steven Assael Marc 7, 2012 pm.