The Leonardo da Vinci Art School (the "Leonardo") was an art school founded in New York City (1923–1942), whose most famous students were Isamu Noguchi and Elaine de Kooning, the school's director was sculptor and poet Onorio Ruotolo.[1][2]
With sculptor Attilio Piccirilli, Ruotolo founded the school to provide low-cost, often free art instruction to the working poor, mostly in the evening. The school was first located at St. Nicholas of Myra, Christian Orthodox Church, 288 East 10th Street, off Avenue A and near Tompkins Square Park. Tuition was six dollars ($6) per month—or free.[1] Students in the 1920s included Noguchi and Esther Shemitz.[2][3]
To foster Noguchi's decision to study sculpture, Ruotolo offered him a job that paid as much as other work he had. Later, Noguchi recalled, "How could I resist? I became a sculptor, even against my will." After only three months at the "Leonardo" (as the school was known), Noguchi held a solo exhibition. Ruotolo also helped Noguchi get commissions for outside sculpture work.[2]
In 1934, the school reorganized and reopened at 149 East 34th Street, graced by "The New Deal" mural of Conrad Albrizio.[4][5][6] With political and union backing, the school expanded to include the "Friends of Italian Arts Association," eliminating tuition altogether, so that student needed provide only their own art materials. No employees received payment for their services. For the school's rededication, Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia unveiled a fresco symbolic of the New Deal.[1]
Contributions diminished significantly during World War II, leading to the Leonardo's closture at its third and final location at 130 East 16th Street on April 28, 1942.[1]
In addition to starting the career of Noguchi, the Leonardo also was the only school in its time to teach the art of fresco painting.[1]
![Leonardo da Vinci Art School](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8e/Paintings-Murals-Conrad_A._Albrizio-titled_"The_New_Deal"-dedicated_to_President_Roosevelt-placed_in_the_auditorium..._-_NARA_-_196024.tif/lossy-page1-232px-Paintings-Murals-Conrad_A._Albrizio-titled_"The_New_Deal"-dedicated_to_President_Roosevelt-placed_in_the_auditorium..._-_NARA_-_196024.tif.jpg){kind=small}
![Leonardo da Vinci Art School](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8e/Paintings-Murals-Conrad_A._Albrizio-titled_"The_New_Deal"-dedicated_to_President_Roosevelt-placed_in_the_auditorium..._-_NARA_-_196024.tif/lossy-page1-2000px-Paintings-Murals-Conrad_A._Albrizio-titled_"The_New_Deal"-dedicated_to_President_Roosevelt-placed_in_the_auditorium..._-_NARA_-_196024.tif.jpg "Leonardo da Vinci Art School")
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