Tony is an integral voice, a genuinely generous professor and an inspired authoritative figure of historical depth. Our Low Rez. MFA program has been gifted with his deep understanding, and belief that art history must not be tossed out with new platforms. He has been an incredibly supportive and valuable artist for me to encounter. Tony is an immensely valuable asset to the artists of the world today, as no one can impart this information with such passion. And no one else does. At this program most of the professors fly in and fly out and are vaguely invested in this program. I noticed not many that have taught us even list it on their resumes. Look for yourself. If they are not proud how could the graduates have pride? Our MFA graduates competing with other institutions and this program is in shambles. I am lucky enough to reside in Boston and was able to audit his art history and studio classes while I was at the program, my colleagues were deeply envious. The history of painting will be gone forever with his departure. While art continuously moves forward we always look back to whence it came and with out Tony the history will not be shared. Its a shameful act to let go of what can only be seen as dead wood. I am deeply disappointed and it continues to seem the Low Rez. MFA program has lost its mooring since it moved from Boston.
J
James Michael Cox
9 years ago
I nearly gave up on my AIB/LUCAD education and Tony Apesos was the only faculty that inspired me to stay. He reached out to me and gave me personal encouragement.
When I needed honesty he gave me honesty and when I needed a beautiful metaphoric explanation I got a powerful and inspiring explanation in a very meaningful metaphor.
Do not loose such a valueable and inspiring artist and educator.
A
Athena Bing He
9 years ago
It is so sad ... Every conversion I had with him was so wonderful!
S
Steve Gentile
9 years ago
Tony knows how to provoke new thought within critique. He is a master of re-direction, and has a great capacity to talk about the work in front of him, rather than habitually invoke the "have you seen this artist's work" mantra. There are other advisors within the program who are also quite good at being present during critique -- these are the natural teachers, and they should be treasured. There are not many people in this world with the passion to educate like Tony Apesos. The powers that be at AIB (or "LUCAD", or Lesley, or whatever you're calling yourself now) would be making a huge mistake to allow Tony to get away. He represents a grounding point of view that is sorely lacking in the art world in general, and certainly within the confines of this MFA program -- one that would be weaker without him.
S
Stacey Piwinski
9 years ago
What an incredible loss to let Tony go.... He is an above and beyond generous teacher with a genuine love for making. As the founder of this program, he should be honored and supported by our community. Please do not eliminate him from the program.
N
Noelle Fiori Jackson
9 years ago
I am sad to hear this news, Tony mentored me and was the reason I was able to enter the program. He offers a very unique perspective and has greatly impacted my work...
M
Mark Morelli
9 years ago
Tony is a cornerstone of the program and one of finest teachers in it. His generosity of knowledge and spirit was an inspiration to me and other students many times over. He defines everything a teacher and educator should be. Without him the program will lose its greatest advocate.
J
jason lounds
9 years ago
I have great respect for Tony and feel very thankful for the experience and time that I had with Tony.
S
Shea Justice
9 years ago
One of the main reasons I enjoyed my time at AIB was because of Tony. From accepting me into the MFA program all the way to my thesis defense , Tony made my experience unforgettable. As far as I'm concerned he is the heart and soul of AIB no matter what changes are made. It would be a huge mistake to get rid of him.
D
Deenie Pacik Giuliano
9 years ago
I encourage the Powers that Be to support the work and teaching Tony Apesos. Besides all of the other reasons, he is a nice person, and he is real.
R
Rachel Mindrup
9 years ago
I found out about the low residency AIB program in 2004. I spent 8 years saving my money to pay cash specifically to study with Tony Apesos and started in 2012. How many other students also applied because of Tony being the anchor of the program? My guess is more than you probably think as it isn't like we start the program in Group One saying "Guess what faculty member swayed me apply to Lesley instead of the cheaper state school just down the road!?"
Tony was always generous and thoughtful in his responses to my work/papers. His accessibility in the program was fantastic. He always made time for his students regardless of what discipline they were in. Whenever any of us needed a letter of recommendation--we all knew we could count on Tony. It was also the small things that didn't go unnoticed such as the fact that he would spend his lunch time during the residencies sitting with grad students getting to know us. What I learned from him during my time at AIB is immeasurable as it wasn't just about my artwork, it was about so much more.
I know these decisions don't come out of the blue and I am sure there are mitigating factors involved that I am not aware of, but I do really hope you will reconsider for the sake of the school's legacy and the quality of the program.
S
Stephanie Marcus
9 years ago
Tony was the person who got me into this program. It sounds like something out of a feel-good movie, but he saw potential in me when I didn't believe in my own abilities. He's been a source of kindness, real insight into painting technique (which i didn't get from anyone else), and humor. When I've attended events as an alumni after graduating in 2014, Tony always comes over to say hello, which is rare.
Tony leant me some oil paint one residency and I made my FIRST oil painting in ten years-- a silly little portrait. He hung in up in his house. Thanks to him, I've finally had the courage to start using oil paints again (i'd always been intimidated by them).
He's a rare and important person. I can't say enough.
P
Pamela Drix
9 years ago
Tony is the heart of the program. I am appalled to hear this news. Tony, without question, is the reason I joined the program, stayed in the program, and continue to want to be engaged after graduation from the program. He is an exceptional artist, perceptive in his assessments of artists' work, a deeply kind and compassionate human being, and someone who I esteem in this highly competitive profession of art. I strongly urge that you retain this man because he is the core of what the MFA program represents. He is a gem.
K
Kathline Carr
9 years ago
A terrible mistake to let Tony go. He is brilliant, patient, generous and has a deep understanding of art-making. I have wondered at some of the decisions of the program, some of the visitors and their relationships to making art--but this is by far the worst move possible for your program. especially for painters hoping to attend .
M
mike conti
9 years ago
I have the utmost respect for Tony as a teach and an artist. He shouldn't be let go.
B
Bridget Lynch
9 years ago
Tony Apesos is a highlight of the MFA program. Generous with time, a great listener who cares what the student is interested in and a teacher who can imagine and support work that isn't like his own. I think that asking the founder of the program to leave is to undercut it and make questionable where the program is heading. I strongly support Tony Apesos.
Boston
G
George Peterson IV
9 years ago
Tony is/was the MFA program, to lose him would be tragic... please reconsider.
- George E. Peterson IV
N
Nancy Grace Horton
9 years ago
Tony Apesos is why this program exists, and who has inspired and influenced so many of us to attend the program, and continue to stay connected with LUCAD. He is the guy without ego, that gives, not takes from the program. So few in the program give themselves as he does, before during and after attending.
B
Brandon Kuehn
9 years ago
Please keep Tony in the program. He was kind and generous with his time. One of my first critiques in the MFA program was with John Kramer. Kramer said, "your work isn't worth talking about," then we moved on to the next crit. I was heartbroken and in retrospect I wish I had reported the incident. Instead, I went to Tony who gave me some direction and a more constructive crit. (He wasn't even my advisor).
K
Kate Farrington
9 years ago
Tony Apesos is a tremendous asset of the MFA program. His experience in art is invaluable to students working in any medium. I benefited much from his insights while I was in the program.
Tony is an integral voice, a genuinely generous professor and an inspired authoritative figure of historical depth. Our Low Rez. MFA program has been gifted with his deep understanding, and belief that art history must not be tossed out with new platforms. He has been an incredibly supportive and valuable artist for me to encounter. Tony is an immensely valuable asset to the artists of the world today, as no one can impart this information with such passion. And no one else does. At this program most of the professors fly in and fly out and are vaguely invested in this program. I noticed not many that have taught us even list it on their resumes. Look for yourself. If they are not proud how could the graduates have pride? Our MFA graduates competing with other institutions and this program is in shambles. I am lucky enough to reside in Boston and was able to audit his art history and studio classes while I was at the program, my colleagues were deeply envious. The history of painting will be gone forever with his departure. While art continuously moves forward we always look back to whence it came and with out Tony the history will not be shared. Its a shameful act to let go of what can only be seen as dead wood. I am deeply disappointed and it continues to seem the Low Rez. MFA program has lost its mooring since it moved from Boston.
I nearly gave up on my AIB/LUCAD education and Tony Apesos was the only faculty that inspired me to stay. He reached out to me and gave me personal encouragement. When I needed honesty he gave me honesty and when I needed a beautiful metaphoric explanation I got a powerful and inspiring explanation in a very meaningful metaphor. Do not loose such a valueable and inspiring artist and educator.
It is so sad ... Every conversion I had with him was so wonderful!
Tony knows how to provoke new thought within critique. He is a master of re-direction, and has a great capacity to talk about the work in front of him, rather than habitually invoke the "have you seen this artist's work" mantra. There are other advisors within the program who are also quite good at being present during critique -- these are the natural teachers, and they should be treasured. There are not many people in this world with the passion to educate like Tony Apesos. The powers that be at AIB (or "LUCAD", or Lesley, or whatever you're calling yourself now) would be making a huge mistake to allow Tony to get away. He represents a grounding point of view that is sorely lacking in the art world in general, and certainly within the confines of this MFA program -- one that would be weaker without him.
What an incredible loss to let Tony go.... He is an above and beyond generous teacher with a genuine love for making. As the founder of this program, he should be honored and supported by our community. Please do not eliminate him from the program.
I am sad to hear this news, Tony mentored me and was the reason I was able to enter the program. He offers a very unique perspective and has greatly impacted my work...
Tony is a cornerstone of the program and one of finest teachers in it. His generosity of knowledge and spirit was an inspiration to me and other students many times over. He defines everything a teacher and educator should be. Without him the program will lose its greatest advocate.
I have great respect for Tony and feel very thankful for the experience and time that I had with Tony.
One of the main reasons I enjoyed my time at AIB was because of Tony. From accepting me into the MFA program all the way to my thesis defense , Tony made my experience unforgettable. As far as I'm concerned he is the heart and soul of AIB no matter what changes are made. It would be a huge mistake to get rid of him.
I encourage the Powers that Be to support the work and teaching Tony Apesos. Besides all of the other reasons, he is a nice person, and he is real.
I found out about the low residency AIB program in 2004. I spent 8 years saving my money to pay cash specifically to study with Tony Apesos and started in 2012. How many other students also applied because of Tony being the anchor of the program? My guess is more than you probably think as it isn't like we start the program in Group One saying "Guess what faculty member swayed me apply to Lesley instead of the cheaper state school just down the road!?" Tony was always generous and thoughtful in his responses to my work/papers. His accessibility in the program was fantastic. He always made time for his students regardless of what discipline they were in. Whenever any of us needed a letter of recommendation--we all knew we could count on Tony. It was also the small things that didn't go unnoticed such as the fact that he would spend his lunch time during the residencies sitting with grad students getting to know us. What I learned from him during my time at AIB is immeasurable as it wasn't just about my artwork, it was about so much more. I know these decisions don't come out of the blue and I am sure there are mitigating factors involved that I am not aware of, but I do really hope you will reconsider for the sake of the school's legacy and the quality of the program.
Tony was the person who got me into this program. It sounds like something out of a feel-good movie, but he saw potential in me when I didn't believe in my own abilities. He's been a source of kindness, real insight into painting technique (which i didn't get from anyone else), and humor. When I've attended events as an alumni after graduating in 2014, Tony always comes over to say hello, which is rare. Tony leant me some oil paint one residency and I made my FIRST oil painting in ten years-- a silly little portrait. He hung in up in his house. Thanks to him, I've finally had the courage to start using oil paints again (i'd always been intimidated by them). He's a rare and important person. I can't say enough.
Tony is the heart of the program. I am appalled to hear this news. Tony, without question, is the reason I joined the program, stayed in the program, and continue to want to be engaged after graduation from the program. He is an exceptional artist, perceptive in his assessments of artists' work, a deeply kind and compassionate human being, and someone who I esteem in this highly competitive profession of art. I strongly urge that you retain this man because he is the core of what the MFA program represents. He is a gem.
A terrible mistake to let Tony go. He is brilliant, patient, generous and has a deep understanding of art-making. I have wondered at some of the decisions of the program, some of the visitors and their relationships to making art--but this is by far the worst move possible for your program. especially for painters hoping to attend .
I have the utmost respect for Tony as a teach and an artist. He shouldn't be let go.
Tony Apesos is a highlight of the MFA program. Generous with time, a great listener who cares what the student is interested in and a teacher who can imagine and support work that isn't like his own. I think that asking the founder of the program to leave is to undercut it and make questionable where the program is heading. I strongly support Tony Apesos. Boston
Tony is/was the MFA program, to lose him would be tragic... please reconsider. - George E. Peterson IV
Tony Apesos is why this program exists, and who has inspired and influenced so many of us to attend the program, and continue to stay connected with LUCAD. He is the guy without ego, that gives, not takes from the program. So few in the program give themselves as he does, before during and after attending.
Please keep Tony in the program. He was kind and generous with his time. One of my first critiques in the MFA program was with John Kramer. Kramer said, "your work isn't worth talking about," then we moved on to the next crit. I was heartbroken and in retrospect I wish I had reported the incident. Instead, I went to Tony who gave me some direction and a more constructive crit. (He wasn't even my advisor).
Tony Apesos is a tremendous asset of the MFA program. His experience in art is invaluable to students working in any medium. I benefited much from his insights while I was in the program.