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James C. Werner

Founder and director of the Lafayette Atelier, James Werner studied in Chicago, at the Palette and Chisel Academy and graduated Valedictorian from The American Academy of Art. James received his classical training under  Bill Parks, Dr. John Trapp and Ted Smuskiewicz, their training stems from the Belgium Royal Academy and the Superior Institute in Antwerp where William Mosby studied after WWI before bringing the tradition to Chicago. James also has taken summer classes at the Florence Academy of Art in figure drawing and painting, and holds a Masters in drawing, painting and printmaking from Purdue University where he was a teacher of life drawing and other courses before founding the Lafayette Atelier.

Director notes and comments

I am very thankful to all of my teachers and students who's dedication to traditional methods and artistic heritage has helped to make the Lafayette Atelier a reality. From my earliest experience taking classes part time, at the American Academy of Art, it was clear that I wanted to devote a portion of my life to learning and teaching art. Having experience studying and teaching in several different academic environments including private lessons, community and art center classes, private art academies and universities, artist workshops and atelier training, the atelier environment is the best I have experienced for both the teacher and student. It combines the hands on, age old, apprenticeship systems, (which produced the great masters of past centuries) with the structure of the academy model, offering students a chance to gain the skills, discipline, and creative guidance necessary to achieve artistic excellence.

 Bill Parks, who passed away in December of 2003 was a powerful force in my wanting to teach. His example was of a teacher who made students learn to think rather than just learning to follow directions. His love of art, teaching and encouragement that his students could make something as beautiful as anyone who has ever lived has ever made, showed me the importance and joy that is found in helping others past their limiting horizons. The lessons I learned from Mr. Parks not only made me a better artist, but also a better person. He loved interacting with his students and made sure we were aware of the great work students who came before us were making. He would say, "You can do it too! Just keep working and smile."  For him it was just a matter of having the right attitude and feeling like today was the most important day and that the beauty before you was worth capturing so others could share in it. His spirit lives on in artists studios and hearts around the country and I will do my best to share his positive way of thinking and seeing with my students. "Smile at your drawing and smile at your self"