Testimonials

“I spent two glorious semesters in 1974-75 at The Leo Marchutz School of Painting and Drawing. I never imagined how it would change my life, and that the lessons learned about art would touch every part of my life. I learned to see with new eyes, giving attention to the light. I learned that one mark, one value affects every other mark and value, thus the whole piece. Amazing how these lessons are valuable in teaching, in music, in personal relationships and in life. I am forever grateful to this community of artists that welcomed me with love and respect, and continues to do so. The Marchutz gift of learning to see has helped me to find a profound joy in the natural world and the people in my life. I have mastered none of these Marchutz lessons, but am happily making progress.” - Nanette Jenkins, student, 1974-75

“While at the Leo Marchutz School I learned to see and paint the natural landscape in a way I had not before, which nurtured my love of art and artmaking. The critiques and color theory classes were comprehensive, deep, and practical while also emphasizing an intuitive way of seeing. I also experienced the best art history education at the Leo Marchutz School while in Paris and Florence, standing in front of the very paintings, drawings, and sculptures that we were studying. But most of all, at the Leo Marchutz School, I made cherished, lifelong friends with whom I still frequently talk about painting. My teachers were Billy Weyman, Sam Bjorklund, John Gasparach, Chris Coffee, and Alan Roberts. I have the highest respect for these teachers. My art education at the Leo Marchutz School was transformative.” - Jill O’Bryan, student, 1976-77

“I’m grateful I had the opportunity to attend the Marchutz School—it was an exceptional experience.  The community of students, the beautiful city of Aix and the surrounding countryside, and the supportive teachers provided a wonderful environment to grow as an artist.  Most importantly, the school’s core teachings about light and form gave me a strong foundation for thinking about the visual arts in general and about my own painting.” - Elizabeth Ivers, student, 1979-80

Summer 2023 — Painting in Provence: A Seminar in Vision High School Program

“The program offers room for you to grow as a person. Regardless of what is going on back home, it provides an opportunity for you to have room to think about things and to reflect. This includes during creative writing sessions and even with each stroke on the canvas.” - Nickole, Summer 2023 student from the Hewitt School, New York, New York

“The program turns out to be about much more than just art. I learned so much about myself and developed a lot of independence. It was very enriching art-wise as well!” - Hannah, Summer 2023 student from Georgetown Day School, Washington, D.C.

“I couldn't have loved my experience at Marchutz any more than I already do. Staying with the group of high schoolers and the teachers formed friendships I will never forget. I couldn't be more grateful for the people I met. Hilary, Rose, Cathleen, Estelle, Barry, and Alan are some of the kindest people and souls I have ever met. The experience was filled with love and intelligence. I still remember the peacebuilding seminar where we watched the video about the ice cream shop in Rwanda and everything about the program kind of clicked for me and I really knew that I loved being in Aix, painting with new friends, and learning about art history. if you are considering participating in Marchutz, just do it it is worth any price you put on it.” - Cira, Summer 2023 student from the Lawrenceville School, Lawrence, New Jersey

“Be completely open-minded and welcome in learning. Rather than being intimidated by how far away Aix is, or maybe trying a new medium, or the fact that fellow program members are all strangers to you at first, embrace that as a chance to also discover new things about yourself and your ability to navigate and flourish in a completely different dynamic.” - Joy-Shanti, Summer 2023 student from Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts

“The Leo Marchutz school summer program was a really transformative experience I recommend to artists of all skill levels. It is an opportunity to live and explore a beautiful little town in the south of France. There is so much to see and do and the locals are so fun, making it a great place to learn the French language and become really immersed in the culture. There is something for everyone to learn – from the basics of color theory and mixing, to techniques for plein air painting. Additionally, it is an opportunity to learn art history by experiencing much of the art you will learn about in person and really dissecting the works and lives of famous artists. You will learn and form relationships with like minded people, people with more experience, less experience and very knowledgeable people. It is really the experience of a lifetime!” - Isabella, Summer 2023 student from the Nightingale Bamford School, New York, New York

Summer 2023 — Painting in Provence: A Seminar in Vision Adult Program

“The Leo Marchutz School summer program was rich, deep, and meaningful. I grew in my understanding of and experience of art. The program is centered around fine art, classical thought, and making connections between art, light and dark, life, and the eternal. I have been enriched, both in my soul and in my art, including writing, through this program.” - Tammy, Summer 2023 student

“If anyone is considering this program, do it. If you have no art experience or have spent your whole life as an artist, you will gain so much from taking the jump and going. I became a stronger artist from this program because of how it taught me to see and experience life around me. There are not many moments where you can fly across the ocean and live in a house full of people who don’t speak the same language as you, go out into a field and paint, complete writing prompts over a glass of wine, and exchange ideas with 20 people with different backgrounds. This program taught me how to perceive my world and really ground myself where my feet are, and I am forever grateful for that.” - Zoe, Summer 2023 student

“The Leo Marchutz School program holds such a special place in my heart! Through those five weeks, my artwork, and how I see the artistic process grew incredibly. I began to connect with my surroundings in a much more present way, and was able to really refine how this new view of the world could impact my art. By taking this step of attending this program, I gained such confidence in myself as an artist and as an individual capable of pursuing my passions. As a magical bonus to expanding my comfort zone, I found a sense of home in Aix, in the French language and culture, in new friendships.” - Hannah, Summer 2023 student

“I would recommend the program to anyone looking to deepen their understanding of the way that they look into the world and the way that this looking and attention can deepen their own sense of a belonging to the forms, patterns, and beauty around them.” - Peter, Summer 2023 student

“My time spent at the Leo Marchutz School developed my work from the inside out. I felt studying there granted me the freedom to accept my own style and develop it, and relinquish the expectations of painting in any particular manner other than that which was my own.” - Liz, Summer 2023 student

“The program was a wonderful and valuable learning experience. I learned how to travel comfortably and interact with people from diverse walks of life. I discovered new facets of myself, like adaptability and creativity.” - Lucy, Summer 2023 student

“I walked away with a confidence in my painting and learned how to incorporate creativity in my life in a way that I hadn't done before. I don't know if I'll be a painter but I now know I will prioritize finding some creative pursuit in my life.” - David, Summer 2023 student

“The experience has made painting accessible to a beginner like myself. I'm no longer afraid to make art. I had to get vulnerable often which is difficult for me, but I think that it showed me that I am creative, and this is an important part of being human.” - Ann, Summer 2023 student

September 2022 — Washington, D.C. Museum Study Seminar

”We all looked deeply together, wrestling honestly with what we saw, and endeavoring to better understand what it meant. The seminar provided me with valuable insight into the nature of art and inspiration to keep trying to create it."

“My weekend with the Marchutz School in D.C. was really fantastic! We always say this about Marchutz, but it was honestly life-changing. I feel so inspired to create more artwork. I learned an enormous amount, both philosophically and practically. The seminar experience with Marchutz was fascinating and community-building. I felt welcomed as part of the Marchutz family! Not only did we get to discuss great works of art but we made new friends and had a lot of fun.”

”If anyone is considering attending a seminar like this, I highly recommend it! Even if you are not an artist, if you appreciate art, you will learn so much! It was great to meet others with varied art backgrounds and interests. Definitely a worthwhile way to spend some time. Reasonably priced and well-organized. Lots of art history and thoughtful discourse about the artists and the works that we saw. Most enjoyable!”

”It's difficult to put how beautiful the time spent together was in words. Not only was the seminar well structured, but spending more time in front of paintings than I have ever before showed to be much more powerful than one could ever realize. The amazing people attending the seminar made the time in the museum and out of it even more special. I will say it has driven me to work towards a longer period of time with the school and it was moving to see how passionate everyone has been about the school and how my passion for the school has also grown.”

”Alan imparted light, colors, and great words to reveal beauty and meaning to each of us gathered around the paintings. Nothing short of a life force he was! There is magic in the Marchutz School of Painting and Drawing! I experienced that magic when my son attended the school. But, what a treat to have my own Marchutz Magic those days at the National!”

"I don't consider myself a painter, but after the seminar, I can begin to see like a painter. So much excellent dialogue surrounding multiple aspects of visual art. So many thought-provoking points of view. Loved having painting tied into writing, music, and dance. Each discipline informs the others. My own creative impulses were definitely sparked by the weekend. Thank you.”

"Spending three days looking at paintings in the National Gallery of Art felt like a privilege. I've always been interested in painting, art history, and art criticism so participating in this seminar was kind of like being a little kid in a candy store...”

”Being a student of the Marchutz School of Art was an unforgettable experience. This seminar allowed me to travel back in time when I was a young 18-year-old trying to figure out what I wanted out of life. Marchutz gave me a grounding and an understanding of how to see art and the world. This seminar was a small piece of that magical experience, so many moons ago. It was how many others described it, transformational.”

"What a joy to get to spend time looking in-depth at paintings to be able to better understand the artist and the work of art on a deeper level. Alan always uses his expertise and gentle guidance to encourage every participant’s insight no matter what their artistic experience may be. A very enriching experience!"

”My art most definitely changed. I got newfound confidence in my own independence. I loved being in France and experiencing the culture.” - Elle F., The Field School, Washington, D.C.

“My art changed massively, and I learned to work a whole new medium which for me was oil painting. I developed a true sense of admiration and wonder for the world around me that I had never before truly seen, and for that I am incredibly grateful.” - Josephine H., Polytechnic High School, Los Angeles

”I believe that a large part of the impact this program had on me was how it changed how I think about art. The methods of teaching that the Marchutz School uses let me “see” my art through a new lens. I now can ask myself the right questions when making art: what’s the character that I want to convey, and what elements are essential to create this character while benefitting the whole? What elements should be sacrificed for the good of the whole? How can I utilize color theory to create balanced shadows that complement the light? Another thing that I learned to develop was a fast-paced approach to painting. This helped me eliminate things that in the past had been negatively impacting my art: attention to detail, an obsession to fill the page, and unnecessary elements. Something that was entirely new to me this program was color theory. I had essentially never learned basic color theory, and this program was a game changer. Along with this, I’m so grateful for the endless new things that I learned but can’t list.” - Anna F., Georgetown Day School, Washington, D.C.

”I learned how to draw and how to paint and capture the incandescent quality of light.” - Sophia H., Holton Arms, Washington, D.C.

“It was incredible to see such measurable growth and confidence in the group of artists and I was proud to be a part of the first cohort of this new era of Marchutz. I felt like I was not only able to see the way the program is taught from another perspective and learn from the way Alan engages with questions and student struggles, but I was also able to get closer to what I was seeing and experiencing in the landscape in my art. I was so grateful for the time I got to spend with the program and continue to recommend it to everyone I can!” - Amelia M., Washington, D.C.