Mike Ballezzi, a third-year student at Studio Incamminati, won the Vasari Excellence in Oil Painting Award at Rittenhouse Square’s Fine Art Show, which opened on September 16th, 2022.

Founded by art students in 1928 and today run by a committee of artists, the Rittenhouse Square Fine Art Show has secured it’s 95th year in operation and is the oldest outdoor fine art show in the country. Rittenhouse is passionate about encouraging students who are beginning their journeys as artists.

The winners of the fall student show were chosen through juried selection based upon components which include unique personal voice, consistency, professionalism, and booth display. Vasari representatives considered Mike’s work, saying, “He pushed the technique of oil painting a bit beyond its craft. There is a boldness to his mark-making and tightness to the overall images. It was a unanimous decision from the jurors.”

In 1997, Mike graduated from the Philadelphia Art Institute, where he studied 3-D design. He worked in New York doing architectural drawings and package design for 20 years before moving back to Philadelphia to be closer to his aging father. Upon his return and following the recommendation of an Incamminati instructor, Mike took a painting workshop at SI and decided to enroll as a full-time student.

When asked about his experience at Incamminati, Mike says, “The small school setting allows you to build intimate relationships with students and instructors. The program’s intensity optimizes the opportunity to master the craft of oil painting. Being immersed in the process as a full-time student at Incamminati, I have improved quickly.”

Congratulations, Mike!