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"The
Trilogy Course was like opening up a Jewel Box!
Francelyn E., Puerto Rico |
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The Buon Fresco method is the Rolls Royce of Venetian Plaster
techniques. With just my first job, I'd already had several local
plaster artist (with far more experience than me) raving about my
walls, and asking me how I was able to get such great results. But
there was no way I was going to tell them! Since then, I've gotten
other offers for jobs, without even advertising. And I'm already
raising my rates. Chris Adams,
San Francisco CA |
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Linda O’Neil
on the Color Class instruction; “The
class was a feast of knowledge. I would recommend this class to
everyone in a very loud emphatic voice and describe it to other
artists as the most useful and comprehensive color course on the
planet, as well as more fun and fascinating than any other [color
class] I’ve ever taken.” |
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"The atmosphere was most conducive to learning and the lesson
material gave me the confidence to take a project and complete it."
John /Architects of the Capitol |
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The Principal Instructor at The
Academy is Victoria Bingham, the award winning founder and director of
Buon Fresco, LLC. Click
photo for introduction. |
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MOTTO
EXCELLENCE IS ORIGINAL |
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who we are
The Academy of Wall Artistry is the
instructional arm of Buon Fresco - Wall Artistry, an award winning
decorative painting and mural studio. Our decorative art has earned
us appearances in numerous
Magazines, Newspapers, HGTV, Art Books and even The Movies,. Buon
Fresco is building a international reputation for 'innovation'
and 'excellence' in the decorative arts and its school, Buon Fresco's Academy
of Wall Artistry - has a
graduate body from all over the world. |
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The instructorS
The principal instructor, Victoria Bingham, is
an award winning artist and an inventor holding [so far] 2 US patents with
more pending.
Bingham believes very strongly in inspiration following instruction, and
invention following application. Bingham's teaching style is to first give a 'truckload' of
information about the task at hand and then push the students to their
personal best - encouraging
them to explore new arena's of artistic application.
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OUR MISSION
To inspire and
stimulate Decorative Artists to covet greater levels in their art. Instruction
invites 'Inspiration'; which
Webster's defines as 'Stimulation of the mind to a high level of activity',
or a 'sudden creative idea or act'. Inspiration - resulting in
innovation and beauty whether in music, science or the Arts - is a
product of training and application. George Washington Carver, who
developed over 300 uses for the humble peanut, was a trained
botanist. Advancements in any field are obtained by learning and then
striving. It is in that striving stage - based upon quality of
training and individual ingenuity - that
inspiration is born.
The Academy of Wall Artistry
believes anyone can greatly enhance current skills with proper instruction. Our
mission is to raise up inspired craftsmen who don't settle for cookie
cutter approaches to finishing, but strive to enlarge and enhance and
increase their personal techniques and abilities. To this end the
Academy teaches the time tested essentials of Decorative Art including
many of the same fine finishes that have gained the
Buon Fresco studio
national attention through print media, television and even the movies!
[Refer to the Press page of this web site for a list of
publications] |
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The intensive
method
Most classes are conducted over the course of two instruction-packed
days. Through a program of Theory followed by Practical segments
of non-stop-practice,
The Academy
is able to turn out graduates who are prepared to start work with
confidence. For distant and overseas students
The Academy
teaches class series in consecutive sessions. Classes are kept small, to ensure ample time for individual attention.
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tHE TECHNIQUES -
At
The Academy
we teach fine art technique - not product!
Why? Because a school that spends its time teaching 20 products in 2 days is not a school
- it's a store. Technique alone distinguishes top earners.
Up to
4 techniques - or finishes - are instructed during each 2-day
session because we believe that
a mastery of less is preferable to a fleeting familiarity of more.
Finally, the Buon Fresco techniques are
not easy to learn and cannot be copied by watching. That works to
your advantage. |
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the classes
The Academy Intensive Courses offerings
include: Exquisite Paint.Glazes,
Decorative Gold Leafing, Venetian Plaster Desings, Essential
Color Skills,
Marketing & Business and much more.
Whether you are just starting out
- or are an experienced contractor seeking to expand
upon your skills, the Academy's beautiful finishes and the intensive format
of instruction can enable you to set your work apart and reward you
with 'Top Drawer rewards'!
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classroom Overview & materials
- In the Gold
Leafing Class, you will work with Genuine 22 and/or 23 karat Gold
in both patent and loose forms. Students produce 5 Different Gilded samples to include; flat
surface, trim ribbons, ornate pieces and Tip Gilding as well as
examples of mica and bronze powders on relief samples. Students keep their gilded items
as portfolio pieces.
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In the Venetian
Plaster Class, students work with the finest
genuine Italian Plasters to be found. Buon Fresco has done the
testing, and the students benefit from using the same plasters which turn
out our attention getting results.
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In The
Painted Glazing Class students work with Buon Fresco's
signature - Water Based - extended work time glaze ' WATER
MAX' as well as a selection of Oil Based Finishes.
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In the Color Class students
Mix Color, Match Color and work with fabrics, wallpapers, paint and finishes in order to come to terms
with 'understanding and using color' to their best advantage.
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In the Business and Marketing
Class students learn how to 'think outside the box'; how to apply sound
business models; and learn to develop contracts and paperwork that will
strengthen and protect their interests.
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| THE SAMPLE BOARDS -
Decorative Classes result in the
production of professionally presentable boards which
have won our graduates the attention of Architects, Designers, Custom Builders and distinguished clientelle. |
| THE MARKETING & BUSINESS
CLASS:
What is MARKETING? - 'Building a better mousetrap and
making sure the world knows'.
What is BUSINESS? -
'Building a better mousetrap and
being sure to get paid for its installation.'
After all is said and
done, the artist who doesn't know how to market his/her business, and is
inefficient at collecting for their work or protecting their interests -
is doomed to failure. Be absolutely certain to know how to run
this type of business before you embark on it. The Decorative
Painting industry, like so many others, is fraught with minefields. Business acumen can spell the difference in your
success. |
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WHY CHOOSE THE ACADEMY?
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Ask to see a portfolio. When all the schools finish talking about the size of their school rooms
and the quantity of plaster they stock, the difference is
still results.
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Then compare the Buon Fresco portfolio with any other school.
Our
work speaks for itself'
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Academy Graduates do not compete
by price.
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The Academy
teaches technique, not product - and the Buon Fresco techniques
you will learn - are gorgeous
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The Buon Fresco techniques are
not easy to learn. We guarantee no one will be able to copy you by
just watching you work.
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OJT -
We offer our graduates, On-The-Job-Training. At no charge to
you - for up to 3 days, graduates may join us on a job site and hone
their new skills. For more information on this program please
click
OJT.
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location of classes -
The Academy is located in
Falls Church, VA just 15 minutes outside of the nation's capitol -
a short drive to monuments, museums and attractions of Washington
-as well as places of interest in Virginia and Maryland and
20 minutes to Reagan National Airport DC. There is a
generous selection of hotels in the vicinity of the school. For for class
reservations and further information please call the studio toll free at:
1.888.n'fresco [637-3726] |
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Testimonials |
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NEW FEATURED
STUDENT & GRADUATE WORK
PAGE
Click on the Line above to see
students 'Work in progress' at the Academy of Wall Artistry.
A picture is worth 1000 words,
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After the first
day I had mentally hired my painter and interior decorator!
I knew I CAN DO THIS! The information
was excellent and the pace of the class -
excellent! Laura
D. Bethany Beach, DE |
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I enjoyed the instruction so much I was whistling all the
way home. Victoria is a talented artist
and gifted teacher.
Lilly S. Potomac,
MD |
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Victoria is an excellent communicator ... but I especially appreciated the 'hints' for actual job site use!! Donna S. Raleigh NC |
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The Trilogy Class
added TREMENDOUSLY to
my.portfolio. Lisa P. New Orleans, LA |
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I definitely
recommend this class to other
decorative painters. Carol
O. Beltsville, MD |
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The Business Class
will help me altogether to present myself more
professionally. Thank You!.. Susan G. Arnold MD |
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WHEN ASKED IF THEY WOULD RECOMMEND THE CLASSES OUR GRADS RESPONDED:
'Yes. In my will.' Angela
"ONLY WHEN I RETIRE!" Donna S., Raleigh
NC |
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Venetian Plaster
Intensive
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The essentials of the Buon Fresco Method for applying Italian
Plasters in a classic mirror polish that has the reflective quality
of glass and a natural undulation with no blade marks and never any
sanding. Wax Striping is also taught in the class. Tuition
$650 Materials $175**
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ARTISTRY 
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Photo- Waxed Damask Pattern over base of
polished Venetian Plaster
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