Today we’d like to introduce you to Igor Khunteyev.
Dr. Sofia Khunteyev and her family left Moscow in 1991 at the height of her career development; she was a well-recognized and commercially successful artist. It was a very difficult decision to immigrate to the US, but the communist system forced Sofia’s family to move. One of the many amazing things about Khunteyev family is that they were able to return to their creative art work in a new country. There are countless examples when talented immigrants are force to develop new skills and completely change their occupation. Following very difficult early years in the US, Khunteyevs were able to return to their true passion – art. Even more, they opened a traditional, classical-style art school.
Sofia Art Academy was founded in 1993 by Dr. Sofia Khunteyev and her son Igor, MFA. Using their many years of teaching classical art in the USSR and experience teaching art classes in private schools in USA, such as: Akiba Academy, Winston School, White Montessori School, Sofia and Igor developed a very unique and powerful program for art instructions.
These two accomplished artists created an art school so unique that no other exists in the US. The real key to success of Sofia Art Academy is a tailored approach based on age, skill level and personal ability. Each student is viewed as a unique individual with his or hers own talents, needs and desires. Another part of art instruction emphasis is based on the timeless framework of European art ateliers where students working side by side with accomplished masters.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
One of the main obstacles for us is to keep our very individually-based system of teaching. That means, not become a “cookie-cutter”, “mass-groups-production” art studio, but keep delivering the best traditions of European-style art atelier, where just a few students at the time work with the Master-artist on their projects.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Founded in 1993 in Dallas, Texas, Sofia Art Academy become the first traditional private art school in the USA with the formal, four-levels program that works for everyone, kids and adults. This program provides such a strong foundation for art students that lasts a lifetime!
At Sofia Art Academy, we teach art classes to kids and adults, using all the knowledge and experience from traditional, classical art schools of Europe, where we’ve been trained and educated. Also known as realistic or academic style art program, is the foundation of fine arts education for creative people, especially for gifted children who love to draw and paint, and dream to become a studio artist, a cartoonist, a game or fashion designer, or an architect. By following our four-level art program in drawing, painting and composition, students of Sofia Art Academy are studying a rule-based system, which was developed centuries ago in European art ateliers. Our small class sizes (we teach semi-private and private art classes) and the depth of the program create an environment where students grow artistically strong to become very skilled and well-rounded artists.
Sofia Art Academy was one of the first in the USA, who came up with the Art Portfolio Program!
By completing our Art Portfolio program, students not only gain acceptance into Magnet schools for children and the most prestigious art and design colleges, but also receive numerous scholarships! Over the years Sofia Art Academy became well recognized within best art schools and colleges circles as provider of highly trained students with strong foundation in drawing, painting and composition.
We are truly become the ART PORTFOLIO SPECIALISTS!
Using the proven, timeless tradition of the art world’s training ground – the old European art atelier, Sofia Art Academy’s classically trained master-artists employ the academy’s own successful version of this historical methodology, carefully endowing every art-loving student and providing with the ability to achieve a soul-satisfying level of fundamental performance; imparting the serious student with the wings to achieve their individual potential in any area of artistic expression. This is Sofia Art Academy’s priceless contribution to our communities and our culture.
What were you like growing up?
We grew up in the former Soviet Union, where we didn’t have many luxurious things as people have nowadays. However, the education was very strong and tough. Simply, it was free of charge, therefore the competition was huge. If you don’t follow the instructions or don’t perform well enough, you easily could get kicked out from the school and your spot would be filled very quickly… hundreds of other people trying to get into the school, but only best of the best could survive to the graduation day. Also, growing up in the country with such deep art history, architecture, museums and classical traditions, built very strong foundation in the young artists as I was at that time.
Contact Info:
- Address: 14856 Preston Rd.
Suite 102
Dallas, TX 75254 - Website: http://www.sofiaacademy.com
- Phone: 972-980-1717
- Email: info@sofiaacademy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sofiaacademy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sofiaacademyofdallas/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/sofiaacademy?lang=en
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sofia-art-academy-dallas-2
Image Credit:
All images are property of Sofia Art Academy
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
