Dear IMC Attendees-
It is with the HEAVIEST of hearts that I have to let you know that we will not reach enough people to meet the expenses of running the 2024 live program.
The venue itself along with the faculty budget exceeds 100k - and that’s without other very necessary expenses that also go into the program- and we will not have the enrollment numbers to meet the needs of the program.
I started the IMC In 2008 with the aim of providing a live learning space and access to the best artists and commissioning professionals, and we’ve helped launch hundreds of artists now working and thriving in the industry. But the climate and demand for large format live programs has changed, as has the costs of venues to host these kinds of projects.
I started this program with magnificent friends and colleagues, but the financial risks and responsibilities have always been managed through my own business as an artist and I personally, simply, won’t be able to cover the cost of deficits in order to run the 2024 IMC as they would exceed 20K.
I understand what an inconvenience and disappointment this is for everyone.
A few days ago I sent emails to all of you and you have each been refunded (or credited to a fall SmArt School Online class as per your wishes and details directed in the email). Anyone I did not hear from has received an automatic refund via PayPal.
This is deeply disappointing for me as much as it is for all of you and all of the faculty.
As the creator of the IMC if you have any other questions please always feel free to call me or text me directly at the number in the email.
The IMC from the beginning was a wonderful experiment in artists bringing forward opportunities for other artists. I do hope that the philosophy of mutual support that I and the teachers always championed, will continue within the community we’ve helped foster, even without the IMC week.
As ever we will continue to bring inspired education and unique opportunities within our online long format sister program SmArt School that has been thriving since 2011.
This IMC has been so dear to me and many of you are friends as well as students.
I’m so sorry I will not have the opportunity to work with you in person this spring.
Yours with gratitude
Rebecca
It is with the HEAVIEST of hearts that I have to let you know that we will not reach enough people to meet the expenses of running the 2024 live program.
The venue itself along with the faculty budget exceeds 100k - and that’s without other very necessary expenses that also go into the program- and we will not have the enrollment numbers to meet the needs of the program.
I started the IMC In 2008 with the aim of providing a live learning space and access to the best artists and commissioning professionals, and we’ve helped launch hundreds of artists now working and thriving in the industry. But the climate and demand for large format live programs has changed, as has the costs of venues to host these kinds of projects.
I started this program with magnificent friends and colleagues, but the financial risks and responsibilities have always been managed through my own business as an artist and I personally, simply, won’t be able to cover the cost of deficits in order to run the 2024 IMC as they would exceed 20K.
I understand what an inconvenience and disappointment this is for everyone.
A few days ago I sent emails to all of you and you have each been refunded (or credited to a fall SmArt School Online class as per your wishes and details directed in the email). Anyone I did not hear from has received an automatic refund via PayPal.
This is deeply disappointing for me as much as it is for all of you and all of the faculty.
As the creator of the IMC if you have any other questions please always feel free to call me or text me directly at the number in the email.
The IMC from the beginning was a wonderful experiment in artists bringing forward opportunities for other artists. I do hope that the philosophy of mutual support that I and the teachers always championed, will continue within the community we’ve helped foster, even without the IMC week.
As ever we will continue to bring inspired education and unique opportunities within our online long format sister program SmArt School that has been thriving since 2011.
This IMC has been so dear to me and many of you are friends as well as students.
I’m so sorry I will not have the opportunity to work with you in person this spring.
Yours with gratitude
Rebecca
The IMC 2019 end of week group photo, the last live session before Covid 19
Audrey Benjaminsen
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Audrey Benjaminsen
Teaching,
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ENROLLMENT NOW OPEN
The 2024 TeacherS & Guest Lecturers
Audrey Benjaminsen, Rebecca Leveille Guay, Cynthia Sheppard, Greg Manchess, Scott M Fischer, Donato Giancola, Boris Vallejo, Julie Bell, Dan Dos Santos, Brad Kunkle, Martin Wittfooth, Brom, Laurie Lee Brom
industry guests
We are deeply fortunate to have this excellent group of industry professionals joining for multiple days throughout the week. Guests will be in the studio answering questions and offering feedback, viewing work and portfolio selections from interested students.
Eric Skillman: Designer and Art director at the Criterion Collection.
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Tom Jenkot:Senior Creative Art Director for Magic: The Gathering at Hasbro/Wizards of The Coast
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Raul Barquet: Artist, Curator and Director of Harman Projects, NYC
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Bianca Barquet: Artist, Curator and Director of Graphics at Marlborough Gallery, NYC
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Irene Gallo:Designer, Curator, Art Director. Recipient of six World Fantasy nominations and two awards for excellence in art direction for Tor and Tor.com
and fourteen Chesley Awards for Excellence in Art Direction for Tor and Tor.com
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Marc Scheff: Artist, Curator, Co-Creator of Every Day Original (with Lauren Panepinto) and IFC Erikson certified coach (life design for creatives)
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Lauren Panepinto:
Creative Director and Vice President of the Orbit Books division of Hachette. Co Founder of Every Day Original
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“If you feel safe in the area you’re working in, you’re not working in the right area. Always go a little further into the water than you feel you’re capable of being in. Go a little bit out of your depth. And when you don’t feel that your feet are quite touching the bottom, you’re just about in the right place to do something exciting."
-David Bowie
-David Bowie
the one and ONLY IMC
CReated and run BY ARTISTS FOR ARTISTS
Howard Pyle
IN THE TRADITION OF PROFESSIONAL MENTORSHIP (WE ALL STAND ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS) SUCH AS THE PROGRAMS STARTED BY HOWARD PYLE, OUR AIM IS TO GIVE ASPIRING ARTISTS THE CHANCE TO LEARN AND BUILD COMMUNITY WITH PREMIER CREATORS WORKING IN MAGICAL REALISM ( IN BOTH COMMERCIAL ILLUSTRATION AND NON COMMERCIAL CAPACITIES).
OUR FORMAT DOES NOT MEAN YEARS OF DEBT OR THE WEIGHT OF THE FUNCTION OF A LARGE INSTITUTION- OR NAVIGATING A SOCIAL GATEKEEPING TO BE A PART OF THE WEEK.
SINCE WE STARED IN 2008 WE HAVE BEEN OFFERING RARE OPPORTUNITIES FOR BOTH INFORMATION FROM AND ACCESS TO SOME OF THE WORLDS BEST NARRATTIVE, FIGURATIVE ARTIST STORYTELLERS AND INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS
OUR FORMAT DOES NOT MEAN YEARS OF DEBT OR THE WEIGHT OF THE FUNCTION OF A LARGE INSTITUTION- OR NAVIGATING A SOCIAL GATEKEEPING TO BE A PART OF THE WEEK.
SINCE WE STARED IN 2008 WE HAVE BEEN OFFERING RARE OPPORTUNITIES FOR BOTH INFORMATION FROM AND ACCESS TO SOME OF THE WORLDS BEST NARRATTIVE, FIGURATIVE ARTIST STORYTELLERS AND INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS
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WE ARE RETURNING IN SPRING 2024 AFTER RUNNING FOR 12 CONSECUTIVE YEARS IN AMHERST MA.
OUR 2024 HOME FOR THE IMC WEEK WILL BE THE STUNNING CITY OF SAVANNAH GA! THE IMC IS A MIRACULOUS ATMOSPHERE OF CREATIVE ENERGY WITH THE CONSTANT SUPPORT OF THE FACULTY AND THE GUESTS, THOSE WHO ATTEND THE IMC (EITHER BEGINNING ARTISTS OR WORKING PROFESSIONALS) PUSH THEIR OWN SKILLS FURTHER THAN THEY EXPECT THAT THEY CAN IN A SINGLE WEEK. STUDENTS LEAVE THE WEEK WITH STRONG CONNECTIONS AMONG EACH OTHER, AND WITH THE FACULTY. BONDS THAT WILL HELP THEM TAKE DEEPER STEPS INTO THEIR WORK AND PROFESSIONAL WORLD |
” Do you know an American magazine Harpers Monthly?
There are wonderful sketches in it …which struck me dumb with admiration…by Howard Pyle” -Vincent Van Gogh |
OUTSIDER ARTISTS UNITE!
A FEW special moments from 12 years of the IMC!
ENROLLMENT NOW OPEN
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"
-Mary Oliver
-Mary Oliver