Grand Central Atelier (GCA) sprang from a group of visionary artists who gathered in Jacob Collins’ studio in the 1990’s. Collectively, these artists envisioned an aesthetic sensibility motivated by works from Michelangelo to Sargent. This inspired a method rooted in traditions pre-dating the 19th century and the advent of photography.

This specialized training caught momentum and in 2014, GCA became an independent, not-for-profit (501c3) organization. Over these decades, we have built an international reputation as a leading destination for ambitious artists seeking a rigorous classical art education. Our unique methodology continues to attract world class artists to our full-time,  four year program.

Under the leadership of Jacob Collins and the guidance of a faculty of dedicated artists, all of whom have completed the four year training, this program has consistently produced artists who are among the world’s most skilled contemporary realist painters, draftsmen and sculptors. GCA aims to forge the newest link in an unbroken 600-year-old tradition of artists contributing works of art untouched by modernism, inspired by the direct observation of nature.

Press Highlights:

Adam Gopnik, Life Studies: What I learned When I Learned to Draw, The New Yorker, June 20, 2011 Issue

Judith H. Dobrzynski, Creating a Public for Traditional Art, The Wall Street Journal, February 25, 2022

Board of Directors and Staff

Founder and Artistic Director
Jacob Collins

Drawing Director
Colleen Barry

Board of Directors
Jacob Collins (Chair), Richard Cameron, Edward Minoff, Jay Newman, Robert Simon and Katie Whipple

Administration

Executive Director
Justine Kalb

Director of Online Programs
Joy Tomasko

Registrar/DSO for International Students
Mariya Marcheva

Model Coordinators
Tori Cole & Sam Davis

View GCA Instructors