For more than two decades, Studio Incamminati has stood at the forefront of realism in America. Founded by Nelson and Leona Shanks, the school embodies Nelson’s belief that artists must be 'enabled by competence, not restricted by inability.' Nelson’s career, painting leaders such as Princess Diana, U.S. Presidents, and Supreme Court Justices, demonstrated how mastery of skill can empower an artist to make a lasting cultural impact.

Studio Incamminati is structured as a conservatory—providing rigorous, accredited training, academic partnerships, and pathways to professional success. Yet it is also modeled on the atelier tradition, emphasizing the intimacy of master-apprentice learning, fidelity to technique, and direct mentorship. This dual identity gives our students the best of both worlds: the discipline and recognition of a conservatory, and the artistic lineage of the atelier.

Our curriculum fuses Renaissance foundations with the luminous innovations of the Impressionists, delivered through a unique pace of learning that supports each student’s progression. At Studio Incamminati, technical mastery is not an end, but a beginning: it is the foundation for artistic freedom, professional momentum, and cultural relevance.

Annual Auction and Gala 2025

Technical Brilliance