The interactive exhibition is on display virtually through August 8
The Frank’s current exhibition The Academy is now going virtual. Due to the closure of the gallery because of the coronavirus pandemic, the community had the opportunity to view The Academy in person for only a short period of time. Now guests can enjoy an online 360-degree interactive tour of the exhibition.
The Academy features incredible artwork from Florida International University’s Department of Art + Art History Academy of Portrait & Figurative Art. Presented by The Frank and the City of Pembroke Pines, The Academy is on display virtually from June 11 through August 8. The virtual exhibition is produced in collaboration with South Florida-based art and technology nonprofit organization Interactive Initiative.
The Academy is inspired by the intense visual drama of Italian Renaissance masterpieces and the technical precision of 17th century French académies. A classical art Atelier with courses in drawing and painting, FIU’s Department of Art + Art History is led by founder David Chang, a classically trained artist, professor and chair of the department. The Academy of Portrait & Figurative Art, where students learn one-on-one with a master to perfect their drawing and painting, remains the first of its kind at a public university in the nation. Since its inception, many of FIU’s most talented students and alumni have become a part of this unique and competitive experience at the university, establishing it as a leader of visual art in higher education.
“FIU’s Academy of Portrait & Figurative Art is a distinguished program and we are so honored to now be sharing their work to a broader audience by moving it online,” said Taryn Möller Nicoll, chief curator of The Frank. “This exhibition is so special, and we were so disappointed when we had to close our doors due to the pandemic. We are very excited that The Academy can now be experienced virtually and even more thrilled that we are not only sharing it with the South Florida community but also with the global community as well.”
In The Frank’s Third Space Gallery, which specifically focuses on supporting non-profit organizations, educational partners, underrepresented populations and community advocacy groups, an exhibition of digital paintings by Elton Burgest is on display. In The Frank Aisles, works by Colby DeGraaf are showcased. Virtual visitors will also be able to view a solo exhibition entitled ‘In Between’ by Yochi Yakir-Avin.
Along with a 360-degree tour of The Frank, guests will be able to see high resolution close-up images of each piece of artwork on view, discover the historical and social relevance of academic techniques today, learn the fundamentals of portraiture and facial proportions in The Frank’s project room studio and view the Third Space Gallery exhibitions and related artist presentations and performances.
In addition to the virtual experience of The Academy, The Frank is offering free fun, engaging and educational virtual workshops, lectures and events for children and adults. For more information, visit thefrankgallery.org/p/other/virtual-classroom.
The Frank is located in the Charles F. Dodge City Center in Pembroke Pines at 601 City Center Way. Admission is free. When The Frank reopens, hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 954.392.2120, email thefrank@ppines.com or visit thefrankgallery.org. Follow The Frank on Facebook and Instagram at The Frank Pembroke Pines.