WELCOME
The purpose of the not-for-profit Aesthetic Realism Foundation is to meet the urgent need for people throughout America and the world to see each other and reality fairly. The means to that fairness is Aesthetic Realism, the philosophy founded in 1941 by Eli Siegel, American poet, critic, and educator. Located in SoHo, NYC, the foundation is a center for culture and kindness. It offers classes in the visual arts, poetry, music, anthropology, and more. There are public seminars, individual consultations, workshops for teachers, and thrilling dramatic and musical events. People of all ages understand themselves newly through the principles of Aesthetic Realism. Read more
Consultations—Update, March 20, 2020
At this time, though Aesthetic Realism consultations cannot take place in person, we’re glad to say they are taking place via telephone. You can find out more here.
Coronavirus—Update, March 15, 2020
The Aesthetic Realism Foundation has postponed the public presentations and cancelled the classes scheduled for the rest of March and the month of April.
- The Dramatic Presentation, “The Fight in Ourselves—What Is It About?,” scheduled for March 21, will not take place.
- The public seminar, “Does Art Answer the Questions of Our Lives?,” scheduled from April 2, will not take place.
- The Dramatic Presentation, “Always—the World & Ourselves,” scheduled for April 18, will not take place.
- The Special Event, “Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream; or, Earthy Whirl,” scheduled for April 26, will not take place.
- Beginning Saturday, March 14, classes in Marriage, Music, the Visual Arts (including Drawing and The Critical Inquiry), Poetry, Film, Singing, Anthropology, and Education scheduled for the rest of March and the month of April are cancelled and will be rescheduled. (Refunds for pre-paid-for classes will of course be available.)
We look forward to presenting these great events and classes in the very near future!
Public Events and Classes have been cancelled for March and April. Please see Coronavirus update on the homepage.
TWEET TICKER
BLOG UPDATE
“The Coronavirus, a Woman of France, & Our World”
What’s in “The Coronavirus, a Woman of France, & Our World” is urgent knowledge. It’s about how to think about the current health crisis “in a way that strengthens our minds and feelings and makes us proud”! People are thirsty to know—people are desperate to know—how to do that.
And in the same issue, an important woman in world literature is deeply and truly understood. You’ll be very much encouraged as you read this needed, kind issue of The Right of Aesthetic Realism to Be Known!
TERRAIN GALLERY
Terrain Gallery Anniversary Exhibition
Celebrating the Life & Art of
DOROTHY KOPPELMAN
ANNOUNCEMENTS
You’ll be thrilled to read this letter by Devorah Tarrow. She tells about the Aesthetic Realism Foundation’s great, good effect on people of all ages as she writes about our Outreach events—and more!
“I am Devorah Tarrow, Aesthetic Realism consultant, sociologist, and Director of Outreach for the Aesthetic Realism Foundation, the most valuable and exciting educational institution in America.
“Aesthetic Realism…has the answers to the most pressing national matters—youth violence, failing education, the horrible prejudice and economic injustice that make for so much suffering. [It] also answers the biggest questions in people’s personal lives—including How can I really like myself?…” more
See this stirring film of Eli Siegel’s Nation prize-winning poem “Hot Afternoons Have Been in Montana.” Historian Howard Zinn said of it:
“Ken Kimmelman’s reproduction, on film, of Eli Siegel’s magisterial poem, is an extraordinary achievement. It matches, in its visual beauty, the elegance of Siegel’s words, and adds the dimension of stunning imagery to an already profound work of art.”