THE PORTRAIT SOCIETY OF AMERICA
The Founding Five
In February 1998, Edward Jonas, the current chair of the Portrait Society of America, and Gordon Wetmore traveled to New York City to meet with four of the most accomplished and heralded portrait artists of our time. At a table in the National Arts Club, they presented to William Draper, Daniel E. Greene, Everett Raymond Kinstler and Burton Silverman their plan to create a nonprofit organization that would foster and enhance fine art portraiture and figurative art. Wetmore and Jonas asked each of these nationally known artists to lend their reputation and guidance as advisory board members. As each one said “Yes,” Wetmore and Jonas looked at each other with smiles of relief, because they knew if their answer was “No,” then the plan would not go forward.
Turning an idea into a winning plan is similar to any project, you have to go back to the fundamentals and define the five W’s: what, why, who, when, where. The first step: identifying WHAT. The answer was to build an educational organization founded by artists, run by artists, for the sole purpose of all becoming better artists. Next, if you have the what, you also need to address the WHY. Everyone involved was committed to the belief that creating a stimulating environment where artists would volunteer, contribute and share new ideas, techniques, concepts and inspiration would build a bridge between established and aspiring artists to facilitate the personal and artistic growth through the open sharing of knowledge.
Now you have created a defined mission, but you have to identify the WHO. An all-volunteer executive and advisory board was established and paperwork was filed for 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. This would enable the Portrait Society to exist for many years as an entity
separate from one person who may have profit making as their sole motivation. The second part of who is, “who is your audience?” Our members consist of established artists, patrons, aspiring and emerging artists and the public. Finally, the fourth W, WHEN, was answered over two decades ago at that meeting in the National Arts Club, when the Portrait Society was established. Through a broad base of support, the Portrait Society has grown to 3,250 members from all over the world.
Answering the first four W’s provides a clear path as to how you get from WHERE you are now to where you want to be. You have identified what you need to move forward. Fast forward two decades later and the Portrait Society has built a financially solid nonprofit based on a vision of an organization with the sole purpose of keeping portraiture alive and well through educational programs for art students, practicing artists and the interested public.
Through collaboration we have made great strides, and as we embark on our third decade, we will continue to be centered on offering the highest quality of educational resources and the most innovative programs concerning the history and techniques of portraiture and figurative art.
So, whether you are looking for inspiration or an educational opportunity, we invite you to join today. Our members enjoy a variety of benefits including: discounted tuition to programs, complimentary subscription to The Art of the Portrait Journal and International Artist, monthly E-News, access to a tollfree artist hotline for questions on technique, aesthetic and marketing, and local support and networking through the State Ambassador Outreach Program. To find out more information visit: www.portraitsociety.org.