James Alan DeCesare is an award-winning portrait painter and popular arts educator. DeCesare earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Hartford Art School, a Master of Arts degree from Syracuse University, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Hartford Art School, graduating with highest honors from each institution. DeCesare has worked with art luminaries including Burton Silverman, Murray Tinkelman, Gary Kelley, Everett Raymond Kinstler, Foster Caddell and Joe Bowler. 

 

DeCesare has a growing list of important public and private commissions including: “Dr. Frank Torti,” Dean of University of Connecticut Health Center, Jack Dempsey Hospital, “Dr. Paul Dworkin,” Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, “Mr. Mark Scheinberg,” President of Goodwin College, East Hartford, CT, “Dr. Peter Deckers,” Dean of University of Connecticut Health Center, Jack Dempsey Hospital, “Dr. Peter J. Robinson,” Dean Emeritus, University of Connecticut Health Center, School of Dental Medicine, "Mr. Jack Rosenthal," first selectman of Newtown, CT, "Adriaen Block," The Connecticut River Museum, “Alex P. Franklin,” Farmington Public Library in Farmington, CT, and “C.P. Noel McCarthy MD,” Saint Raphael Hospital in New Haven, CT. 

 

DeCesare’s work has been honored by regional and national juried exhibitions including The New Britain Museum of American Art, Connecticut Academy of Fine Art and The Connecticut Society of Portrait Artists and has won numerous awards for his work. DeCesare’s work has been exhibited at Tunxis Community College, University of Hartford, Syracuse University and The New Britain Museum of American Art among others.

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Jim DeCesare has broad experience as an artist educator including: Fine Arts Instructor and Head of the Visual and Performing Arts at The Master’s School, in Simsbury, Connecticut, Adjunct Instructor of Painting and Drawing at Tunxis Community College, formerly: Figure-Drawing Instructor at the Hartford Art School Pre-College Program, Figure Drawing Instructor at the New Britain Museum of American Art, Adjunct Instructor of Painting at The Hartford Art School, Portrait Painting Instructor at the West Hartford Art League, as well as many lectures and demonstrations to regional arts organizations.

 

DeCesare lectures on the topic of creativity in the digital age and has spoken at numerous Technology and Innovation Conferences for higher education faculty and staff including; The Creative Genius of Thomas Edison at the University of New Haven, Engaging the Twenty-First Century Learner at Middlesex Community College, and Old School vs. Digital...Nothing but Choices at Tunxis Community College in Connecticut. DeCesare's lectures focus on bridging the gap between studio art practices and the exponential use of digital-media; by helping students better tell their unique stories, and to help inform the public of the value of the arts and creativity. 

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DeCesare's students have been recognized for their artistic achievements by organizations such as the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, have attended major art schools around the country, and have built successful art careers. He has taught professional development to Connecticut high school art teachers at the Connecticut Art Educators Association annual conference, and regularly mentors teens building scholarship-level art portfolios. He has also served as guest juror for numerous arts organizations including The Connecticut Council of Travel and Tourism.