Water Colour School

The building was constructed by English architect Hippener in 1898 for a Lutheran children’s shelter, and was reconstructed and improved.The Moscow state specialized school of water colour with a museum and exhibition centre opened in the capital in 1999 with the support of the Government of Moscow and Mayor Yu.M. Luzhkov. The art director of this educational institution is Sergey Nikolayevich Andriaka, People’s Artist of Russia, and Correspondent Member of the Russian Academy of Arts.

The main aims of the school are development of classical water colour painting, reference to an academic system of training, and acquisition, preservation and transfer to future generations the experience and traditions of old masters. Teaching is conducted by S. Andriaka’s own technique where the teacher works together with pupils on one task. Personal example is the fastest form of learning.

For the Water Colour School, a beautiful ancient private residence in the centre of Moscow, near to the old German area of Lefortovo was chosen.

In the shortest time, the construction which took place in virtual ruins turned into a fine three-storey palace. Spacious class rooms and creative workshops filled with natural light were created. Exhibition halls of 700 sq.m. are equipped to world-class engineering and technical requirements and correspond to required norms of a museum microclimate, fire safety, protection and illumination.

This actively allows the Water Colour School to develop two mutually close directions: pedagogical and museum exhibition activity.

Founder — Culture Committee of the Government of Moscow.

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