The National Portrait Society's history and goals

S T A T E M E N T    O F     P U R P O S E
The purpose of the Portrait Society is to foster and enhance an understanding of the practice, techniques and applications of traditional fine art portraiture and figurative works. The activities undertaken by the corporation are educational in nature. Our projects will increase the aesthetic and technical knowledge for the practicing artist, the aspiring amateur, student artist as well as the general public. Projects to accomplish these purposes will include the following:
As part of our ongoing mission to provide the public with examples of fine art portraiture and figurative work, your membership will include a subscription to International Artist. A full color, bi-monthly 164 page magazine in which the Portrait Society co-edits a regular feature dedicated exclusively to portrait art.

Conduct a national conference annually to present lectures, demonstrations and exhibitions on the discipline of fine art portraiture. This will offer the general membership and others access to the skills and knowledge of the leading portrait artists of the day.

Collect, write and publish a 16-page newsletter covering issues germane to fine art portraiture. Areas will include fine art techniques, profiles of accomplished portrait artists, technical and aesthetic advice, announcements of member's accomplishments and other issues pertinent to fine art portraiture.

Coordinate volunteers in each region of the country for the purpose of membership development and recruitment as we attempt to build a national membership base.

Establish a voluntary code of ethics and standards for general members. This will serve as a guide for the technical and aesthetic standards of general members. This activity will further the practice of traditional fine art portraiture.

Provide the membership access through an 800-telephone service to expert advice on techniques, aesthetics and related information. The organization provides an informational home page on the World Wide Web. This activity will allow educational information to be shared between experts in the field and others.

Offer portfolio review opportunities at an annual conference to assist and guide members in furthering their knowledge and artistic skills.

Recognize and honor those artists of distinction who have over the course of their careers produced bodies of work that epitomizes excellence within the discipline.

Organize exhibits that will exemplify different facets of fine art portraiture and figurative works. They will be open to the public, at no charge.