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As members of PATRONATUS, we are dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of classical fine art. Drawing inspiration from the Renaissance Italian guilds, our exclusive membership program links distinguished sculptors with a network of patrons, collectors and art professionals.
We rigorously evaluate applicants to ensure that only the most talented artists are admitted, providing ongoing support through reputation management, appraisals and the preservation of artistic value.
Our admission process is designed to uphold the integrity and authenticity of our society, while fostering a collaborative and inspiring environment for our sculptor members.
At PATRONATUS, we emphasize classical methods in our exclusive two-week sculptural demonstration in Italy, where artists are invited to immerse themselves in traditional tools and techniques. We provide all materials necessary for hand-carving projects in clay, marble, granite and wood. To maintain focus on craftsmanship, time-consuming processes such as curing and casting are excluded, with daily disassembly of works allowing for fresh exploration each day.
Our evaluation process begins two days after your arrival, allowing time to settle in before embarking on a journey of creative rigor and artistic refinement.
Days 1-2: Preparatory Work and Armature Building In these initial stages, we focus on preparatory work and armature building, essential components that challenge your technical expertise and creative foresight. This includes conceptual sketches, maquettes and proportional studies that establish a foundation for your final sculpture. Armature building, whether in metal, wire, or wood, requires a strong grasp of weight distribution, medium properties and spatial dynamics. This phase highlights your ability to merge structural integrity with artistic vision, showcasing the durability and fluidity of your design.
Days 3-6: Modeling in Polymer Clay and Kaolin House Mix Clay Over these days, we explore the versatility of different materials, engaging in modeling with both polymer clay and kaolin house mix clay. These mediums demand a balance between technical mastery and adaptability, from the fine detail achievable in polymer clay to the organic qualities of kaolin. This portion of the process tests your command of both synthetic and natural materials, challenging you to maintain consistent artistic expression while responding to the inherent demands of each medium.
Days 7-10: Carving in Makrana Marble and Red Granite This stage introduces the challenge of carving two of the most revered and demanding materials: Makrana marble and red granite. Makrana marble, renowned for its fine grain, calls for precision and attention to detail to achieve smooth, refined finishes. Red granite, on the other hand, presents a formidable challenge due to its density and hardness, requiring specialized techniques to shape and manipulate effectively. During this period, your ability to balance strength with delicacy and bring your conceptual vision to life will be put to the test, offering us insight into your technical prowess and understanding of materiality.
Days 11-13: Carving in Walnut Wood Next, we turn to walnut wood, a medium cherished for its fine grain and rich, natural color. Here, your proficiency with traditional woodcarving techniques, such as chiseling and gouging, will be evaluated. Beyond technical execution, we are looking for sensitivity to the wood’s inherent qualities, assessing how well you integrate the natural beauty of walnut into your artistic expression. Your ability to harmonize craft and material in this organic medium will be crucial.
Day 14: Professional Inspection and Critique, Followed by a Closing Meeting The evaluation process concludes with a comprehensive inspection and critique of your submitted works. Our panel of experienced art professionals will assess your technical execution, material handling and conceptual realization, with close attention to form, balance and craftsmanship. This is followed by an in-depth critique, providing constructive feedback on both strengths and areas for growth. We value this dialogue as an opportunity for you to reflect on your artistic development, with the closing meeting offering a final engagement with the panel where you can address feedback and receive guidance on the next steps in your creative journey. This critical phase serves as a pivotal moment in your professional growth, offering insights that will enhance your future work and artistic evolution.
The evaluation process concludes on Day 14, with your departure scheduled for the following day.
We are excited to witness your talent unfold during this process and support you in pushing the boundaries of your sculptural practice.
At PATRONATUS, we employ a rigorous and comprehensive evaluation system, overseen by four esteemed members of our Board of Directors.
These board members are present throughout all 14 days of the assessment, ensuring a consistent and thorough review of each artist’s work. For painters, our evaluation focuses on key artistic elements such as theme interpretation, creativity, use of color, composition and the overall aesthetic impact of the piece.
Sculptors are evaluated based on their mastery of proportion, anatomy, balance and texture, as well as their attention to crucial details like heads, hands and feet. These criteria ensure that we uphold the highest standards of classical artistry.
Following the evaluation, the decision process takes several months, with final announcements typically made within 3-4 months. A positive outcome results in an offer of membership to the artist, officially welcoming them into the PATRONATUS Fine Art Society.
Successful candidates are celebrated at a prestigious, high-profile membership welcome event, which honors their exceptional talent and dedication. This exclusive gathering marks the artist’s formal induction into the PATRONATUS Fine Art Society, recognizing their significant contributions to the classical fine arts and welcoming them into our distinguished community of artists.