Al Green Sculpture Studio & School

Specialties

The Al Green Sculpture Studio and School, founded in 2000 by sculptor, entrepreneur and philanthropist Al Green, provides educational opportunities and studio access for sculptors, novice to professional. While space is limited, it is open to all, with no admission requirements. The school curriculum includes instruction, excursions, lectures, workshops and opportunities to participate in group exhibitions. A non-​profit centre for creative expression and artistic development, the school is open six days a week, including most evenings and holidays.

Students are able to develop an idea through to a finished work of art in a variety of materials such as clay, wax, gypsum, wood, metal and Winterstone. Sculpture techniques taught include direct modelling, armature building, mould making, casting, finishing and patination.

History

Established in 2000.

The Al Green Sculpture Studio and School was founded in 2000 by sculptor, entrepreneur and philanthropist Al Green. Founding imperatives for Green were twofold: to create an inclusive artistic community that catered to artists from novice to professional, and to provide a studio environment with expanded access to accommodate members’ varied schedules. Green’s vision has become a reality.

Now a non-​profit centre, generously funded by The A and M Green Foundation and The Greenrock Charitable Trust, the school thrives with over forty full time members. The curriculum includes individual and class instruction with special emphasis on mould making, casting, academic field excursions and guest lecturers. Rounding out the school experience, members participate in curated, commercial group exhibitions. The School is open six days per week including most evenings and holidays.

The studio’s recent relocation, with its increased space, light, and improved amenities provides enhanced education

Meet the Manager

Melanie C.

Manager

Melanie Chikofsky is an award-​winning sculptor, mixed media artist and teacher who brings a wealth of experience to the school. After graduating from Sheridan College School of Design, Chikofsky worked in the fashion industry designing hats, jewellery and home accessories. She then pursued a career as an art teacher and spent twenty-​five years working in inner city schools with the Toronto Board of Education. In 2000, Chikofsky joined the Al Green Sculpture Studio and School as its lead instructor, curator and school administrator.

Chikofsky’s personal artistic practice is concerned with process and material exploration. Her work, often involving multiple variations of a subject, investigates concepts of distortion and repetition, which ultimately reveal different aspects of the human condition. Since 1983 Chikofsky has had five solo exhibitions and has participated in numerous group shows. In 2008 she won the Best in Show Award for «Threadbare» at a juried Ontario Society of Artist