Celebrating 21 Years of Inspiring Artists: Figure Academy at Visual Art Institute

For 21 years, Figure Academy at Visual Art Institute (VAI) has been Utah’s premier program for serious figure drawing and figure painting instruction. Founded in 2005, this immersive studio experience gives artists ages 12 and up the opportunity to study the human form through live model sessions, professional critiques, and hands-on mentorship. Serving students across Salt Lake City and Utah’s Wasatch Front, Figure Academy is known for its rigorous training in gesture, anatomy, proportion, light and shadow, composition, and expressive mark-making — all within a supportive fine art studio environment.

Led by Executive Director Bruce Robertson and Associate Director Shelley Young, Figure Academy was inspired by the intensive structure of the New York Studio School, where Robertson previously taught. This disciplined yet encouraging approach has helped countless Utah artists strengthen their technical skills and creative confidence. Notable alum Anna Park, now a Brooklyn-based artist recognized for her large-scale charcoal drawings, is one example of the strong artistic foundation built through sustained figure study at VAI.

As a nonprofit art organization serving Utah since 1978, Visual Art Institute is committed to making high-quality art education accessible. Figure Academy offers tuition assistance for qualifying students, ensuring that dedicated artists can continue developing their craft regardless of financial circumstances. Whether you are beginning figure drawing or refining advanced painting techniques, Figure Academy provides a professional, community-centered studio experience designed for serious artistic growth.

Learn more and apply today: https://www.visualartinstitute.org/figure-academy