Figure On Diversity continues to be a major element of DeCarlis's artistic practice, and was the basis of their MFA thesis in 2022. To learn more about Figure On Diversity, please visit the initiative's main website.
Figure models have provided the basis and foundation for the fine arts since the beginnings of art history. Currently, however, many figure modeling communities are comprised predominantly of white, thin, able-bodied, and cis-gendered individuals, leaving artists prepared only to depict figures of this narrow demographic.
Figure On Diversity in an initiative designed to increase access to representation in studio art and art education.
What started as a one-off workshop in 2018 has since blossomed into a program hosting a variety of offerings. These include modeling workshops, drawing sessions, and event programming as well as the development of educational resources like studio reference material and guidebooks.
because art should reflect everyone.
Collaborators
Angela DeCarlis | Founder and Director
Izébel Vivant | Project Consultant and Workshop Leader
Morgan Yacoe | BustEd Sculptor
On February 17, 2020, Figure On Diversity was hired to provide programming at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum's Frank Hatch Free Day. The open-drawing event, which featured four clothed models who were alums of the workshop series, was attended by 500 people over five hours. This event was held in conjunction with the opening of the exhibition Boston's Apollo, which brought together drawings and paintings made of the Black and Queer model Thomas E. McKeller by renowned American painter John Singer Sargent.
The video above is a record of Figure On Diversity's drawing session.
