Testimonials
"I’ve had my experiences with Dre regarding my path as a creative. Not only has he given me direction on a few projects, he actively assisted with them as well. One of which, was Feel Good Friday’s, a free event held near the old state house in downtown Hartford, CT, where we entertained the crowd. I performed a few dances while Dre created some paintings. This experience and more has given me a new outlook on artistry and helped shape my confidence as unique artist. There will be many challenges as an artist but I found that these challenges can be easier to address by having the right support and coaching."
- Kemistry the mad scientist: Dancer, Photographer
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"Embarking on my artistic journey in Connecticut, Andre Rochester's coaching was a game-changer. His deep knowledge of the art profession and insightful guidance have been instrumental in my development and integration into the art community. Andre excels in leveraging his extensive experience to offer meaningful support and direction. Each session with him has been a learning opportunity, helping me navigate the complexities of the art world with confidence. I highly recommend Andre for anyone seeking a knowledgeable and supportive coach in their artistic endeavors."
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- Katiana Jarbath Smith: Visual Artist
"In 2015, when I was first deciding to seriously pursue my art, I had heard Andre Rochester’s name come up in many conversations. He was THAT guy. THE art guy. I was planning on putting on my first art gallery show and was in search of a place to host it. A friend recommended I reach out to Andre (Dre) and ask if I could host at Rochester Fine Art Studio. Not only did he say yes, but he was also immediately a mentor and a teacher who was so generous with his wealth of knowledge. He walked me through how to properly wire my pieces, what information to display on the pieces and how, he encouraged me to really think about what story I was trying to tell via my paintings and how to best display that, and more. Learning from him gave me the confidence to put on that first gallery show and armed me with knowledge to keep growing from there.
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Since then, we have become peers and good friends who often pull each other into creative opportunities. To this day, if there’s ever a question I have regarding the art world or my art career, I know I can depend on Dre answering the call and helping me figure it out. Dre was a storyteller for my annual show A Little Bit of Death, where he not only shared his artistic journey with the audience, but he displayed his amazing art on stage, indulging those in attendance with his beautiful work. Based on the years and what he shared that night, I know this hasn’t been an easy path for Dre, so seeing him expand his work, keep honing and owning the natural talent he has as a teacher, and diving into sharing his bountiful wisdom, has been so fulfilling to witness. Anyone who gets to be in his presence will immediately be learning something valuable from Dre – because he’s still THAT guy."
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