Al Garnto  
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Al Garnto's Education:

Atlanta College Of Art
Atlanta, GA
Student status: Alumni
Degree: Professional
Major: Art & Sculpture
1993 to 1994

Young Harris College
Young Harris, GA
Student status: Alumni
Degree: Professional
Major: Art & Sculpture
Clubs: Tennis Team
1992 to 1993

 

 

 

 

Al Garnto's Biography

Al Garnto


Al Garnto was born on July 6, 1968 and is a native of Blairsville Georgia. His interest in art began during early childhood when his mother taught him how to draw. By the age of four, he was mimicking her drawing techniques and by his pre-teens his outstanding drawing ability was gaining notice.

Failing in almost everything except art, music, and physical education, Al was expelled from the local school system at the age of fifteen. Officials at that time stated that Garnto's inability to learn the fundamentals and his extreme amount of energy were causing a disturbance that kept the other students from learning.

Al spent the next several years studying for his G.E.D with hopes of going on to college to study art. Garnto earned his diploma in 1990 and then in 1992 was accepted into Young Harris College as an art major.

Garnto was at the top of his art classes but was failing every other academic course. Justine Wallace, a professor at YHC, recognized that Garnto had some sort of learning problem but by law was unable to help without an official diagnosis.

Garnto says, "I felt my legs were being kicked out from under me once again. This time I didn't feel like getting back up but by the grace of God a way was found to pay for testing. These tests helped change the course of my life. The faculty members at YHC were not surprised when the test results came back with a diagnosis of dyslexia."

Dick Aunspaugh, a professor of art at Young Harris College, says, "Al is very talented in visual arts creativity. What impresses me the most is his enthusiasm, energy, and love of art. His art spirit combined with his drawing and painting talents have led to some outstanding creative art work."

Garnto adds, "The dyslexia diagnosis allowed me to understand for the first time that my brain processed information differently than the rest of the population. Since we now knew what the problem was, the college faculty was able to develop ways to help me understand my course work. I was able to learn despite the dyslexia. By the end of 1993 I had brought my grade point average up to a 4.0. That same year I received several awards for my paintings and sculptures. I was named to the Deans List, and was presented with a Presidential Scholarship to The Atlanta College of Art. Finally my dream was becoming a reality."

Al continues, "If this disability sounds like someone you know, please get them some help. It can change the course of their life. People with any disability should keep hoping and never give up on their dreams. To this day I still struggle with dyslexia but I never give up."

After studying at The Atlanta College of Art, Al Garnto returned to his hometown of Blairsville Georgia, and in 1995 he opened his own business - the Al Garnto Fine Art Studio. Al says, " I have made my living for the past 13 years from my art. My art is collected throughout the southeast, mainly through long-standing clients, gallery referrals, and art shows. In closing, I would like to say thanks to those of you who took time to read my bio and to visit my website. I appreciate your patience. If you are an art collector or gallery owner, please contact me by email at algarnto@gmail.com. I am constantly reviewing new paths for my art and would like to hear your comments and suggestions."

Selected Permanent Collections:

Young Harris College:
Byron Herbert Reece Series

Young Harris College:
Al Garnto 30+ designs in "Mann Collection"

John Denton - Collector: Al Garnto Collection

Alexander's Store: Mural display - 75 ft.

Charles Hill: Family Portrait Collection

Amicalola State Park: Water Fall Mural

Janice Kelley - Collector: Union County Historical Court House Collection

Owenby/Sosbee: Still life and Landscape Collection


Selected Commissions:

Charles Hill: Family Portraits

Toni Smith: Portrait

Bill & Gena Frisby: Portrait

Tony & Katherine Hamby: Family Portrait

Young Harris College: Mann Collection Designs

Joele Kimsey: Portrait

Alexander's Store: Display Mural

Billy Blue: House Mural

Kevin Green: Collage Wall Sculpture

Toni Smith: House Mural

Pat Smidt: House Mural

 

 

 

Featured Television Appearances:

2006 - Art in the Mountains by David Sellers
AL Garnto's Nottely River Series
Filmed at David's Fine Art Gallery in Murphy, NC

2003 - Art in the Mountains by David Sellers
The Al Garnto Retrospective Solo Art Exhibit
Filmed at the Clegg Fine Art Gallery, Young Harris College


Solo Exhibition History:

2006 - David's Fine Art Gallery, Murphy, N. C.
Nottely River Series and Other Selected Works

2003 -Young Harris College, Young Harris Ga.
A Retrospective: Drawings, Paintings and Constructed Assemblages


Group Exhibition History:

1994 - United Community Bank, Blairsville, Ga.
5th Annual Regional Juried Exhibition

1994 - Atlanta College of Art, Atlanta Ga.
Student Art Show

1992 - Young Harris College, Young Harris, Ga.
Student Art Show


Awards

1994 - Honorable Mention
United Community Bank, Juried Exhibition

1993 - Presidential Scholarship Award
The Atlanta College of Art

1992 - Second Place: Paintings
Young Harris College Art Show

1992 - Honorable Mention, Sculpture
Young Harris College Art Show


Selected Publications & News Releases

December 19, 2007 - North Georgia News
Al Garnto and the Little Jim Global Art Project
Interview by Janice Boling

March 28, 2006 - North Georgia News
Resident Artist Al Garnto's Nottely River Series
Interview by Janice Boling

March 30, 2006 - Union/Towns Sentinel
Al Garnto - The man behind the Art
Interview by Emily Hrabovsky

March 15, 2006 - Cherokee Scout
Al Garnto - One Man Show
Scouting Around by Gerry Silvia

2005 - Union Sentinel
Local Artist Canvases Nottely River
Interview by Justin Melick

October 23, 2002 - Union Sentinel
The Art of Al Garnto
Press Release from YHC

2002 - Spring edition of Echoes
Young Harris College Publication
Cover Art

1999 - October 28 The Union Sentinel
Interview by Delores Kilpatrick

October 15, 1998 - The Union Sentinel
Interview by Michael A. Rhodes

1992 - Corn Creek Review
Art by Al Garnto
Published by Young Harris College

 

 

 

© 2008 by Al Garnto All Rights Reserved