Abbey Road isn't just something that brings our fabulous staff together during the summertime! Three art instructors on our Florence summer program are participating in the same group exhibition in Dallas, Texas. William Binnie, Lindsay Mapes, and Antonio Puleo- all painters of very different styles and living in different parts of the world- will each have paintings of theirs on display in the exhibit entitled Play Dead: 23 Artists on Death & Dying. Don't let the grim theme distract you though- all three of them are just about as cheery a bunch as you can find anywhere! William, who teaches the drawing major alongside fellow artist Lindsay every summer, also curated the show which is set to open on May 7th. The show includes over twenty artists from Los Angeles, New York City, London, Massachusetts and Texas.
Here at Abbey Road, our staff aren't merely hobbyists; each and every one of our art instructors are accomplished practicing studio artists who have had their work collected and displayed all over the world. They are able to bring their passion that they employ the other 11 months of the year to Florence where they can share their love of art with students eager to immerse themselves into the art world, from pre-Roman architecture to cutting-edge contemporary. And that notion is certainly not restricted to the arts by any means: all of our staff, regardless of the area of specialty, are experts in their respective fields, which is why Abbey Road loves them and they love Abbey Road.
William is a painter currently living and working in Dallas. He studied art and art history at the Claremont Colleges, graduating in 2008. Willie recently had work shown at Art Los Angeles Contemporary and will have work on display at the Whitney Museum of American Art's 2011 Art Party in late May. He has shown works in New York, Los Angeles, and Texas. This will be his third summer with Abbey Road teaching drawing with Lindsay as well as the Tuscan Cuisine elective.
Lindsay Mapes received her BFA from San Francisco Art Institute and a Post-Bacc. Degree from SACI in Florence, Italy. She completed her MFA at the Slade School of Fine Art - University College London- this past year and is currently living and working as an artist in London. This will be Lindsay's fifth summer teaching both the drawing major and the drawing elective on the Florence program.
Antonio Puleo, an Abbey Road veteran of more than 6 years, teaches oil painting in Florence every summer. Antonio received his BFA from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design and went on to complete his MFA at UCLA. He currently lives and works in Los Angeles where he creates wall-sized paintings and sculptural installations.
Abbey Road is thrilled to see summer staff members work together throughout the year. They are all very excited about another summer in Florence with Abbey Road!
