SJRCC PRESS RELEASE August 2007 FloArts draws New York artist back to Florida St. Johns River Community College welcomes new gallery director and fine arts instructor Michael Burban to Florida School of the Arts. The New York artist returns to Florida after teaching 23 years at the Art Students League. SJRCC President Robert L. McLendon Jr. said our fine art students are very fortunate that Burban has joined the faculty at FloArts. "He is a scholar who has written extensively, and his own art has been praised throughout the art world," McLendon said. Being no stranger to Florida, Burban grew up in Fort Pierce and earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Florida. He later moved to New York to study under Robert Beverly Hale at the Art Students League. Burban eventually replaced Hale upon his retirement and taught drawing, artistic anatomy, figure and landscape painting. He later earned his master of fine arts degree from Vermont College - an experience he said exposed his traditional style to a more contemporary one. Burban's teaching career also includes the National Academy of Design in New York, the Montclair Museum Art School and painting and drawing workshops in Switzerland, Mexico and Morocco. He won first place for drawing in the Norman Rockwell Society Exhibition - Fine Arts Society and first place for drawing in the National Arts Annual Drawing Competition. Burban's publications include "Lessons from Michelangelo," a book that teaches figure drawing through the dissection of old master drawings. Dean of FloArts Dr. Gary Piazza said Burban is a master teacher and an equally pleasant and interesting colleague to work with. "It is a great joy to have Michael here with us. He fits in with our students, faculty, and the staff here at FSA," Piazza said. "In the artistic realm, I also look forward to viewing Michael's beautiful artwork this coming school year," he said. Burban said the transition from New York to Palatka was not as difficult as some would think. He said he enjoys the quaintness of the area. "The smaller scale of a community college fits me. I like the idea of a community-based atmosphere," Burban said. "The main reason I accepted the teaching position was the excellent reputation of the Florida School of the Arts." FloArts is located on the Palatka Campus of St. Johns River Community College and is Florida's first state-supported professional arts school. Approximately 150 students attend FloArts each year; students are recruited from across the state, the southeast region and New York City. Admission is based on audition and portfolio review. For more information, call 386-312-4300. Drawing "Old Man" by Michael Burban Watercolor "Tibetian Monk" by Michael Burban Return to SJRCC home page. Return to FloArts home page.