DVI Branching Off

"I have worked with Mandy Theis for the last five years in the development and founding of the Da Vinci Initiative which focuses on training K – 12 art teachers in public and private schools in the atelier methods. The 3,000 plus art teachers we have worked with so far are enthusiastic about bringing traditional skills in the visual arts into their classrooms. Each teacher will touch thousands of children’s lives throughout their teaching career so we are very optimistic that the future generation will have the deep respect of traditional methods that we here hold so dear. The Da Vinci Initiative program has been thriving so well that starting January 1, 2020 it will be standing as an independent organization separately from myself and ARC’s direct involvement. I am proud to call Mandy a friend and ally and am honored to have had the opportunity to help found a budding atelier movement within the art teacher community. We at ARC wish Mandy well as she continues the DVI mission. ARC will be continuing the teens category in the 15th International ARC Salon Competition as there are many talented students between the ages of 13 – 19 studying traditional training methods and techniques. " - Kara Lysandra Ross