Happy Birthday to us!
We passed an exciting mile marker on November 10th as The Academy of Make Up Arts turned 10 years old!
A decade ago we opened our doors thanks to the authorization of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission Division of Postsecondary Schools. Our first program was a 4-week study of beauty makeup and basic special effects makeup. Today we offer everything from week-long summer camps to diploma courses lasting up to 3 years!
It’s amazing to see how we’ve grown as our students asked for more and more options and opportunities. Because of our staff and students, AMUA has become one of the top makeup artist schools in the country specializing in makeup, wig and hairstyling, special effects, animatronics, and costuming!
Happy Anniversary to Ben Rittenhouse!
Part of our growth as a school these last 10 years goes back to our FX makeup specialist joining our teaching team! 7 years ago Emmy award winning Ben Rittenhouse started teaching special effects makeup. To celebrate our 7 years together, we asked Ben some questions about his time at AMUA:
Did you teach much prior to coming to Nashville and AMUA?
“I was teaching before I came to AMUA for about a year and a half in Los Angeles and fell in love with the process. What made AMUA stand out to me was the freedom to teach techniques and disciplines that are relevant to the current industry. I did not just have to follow an old curriculum.”
How has your program(s) grown over the last 7 years?
“All the programs started as an intensive course for each discipline with no crossover. Now the students learn all disciplines simultaneously for a single character they create using character design, wig, beauty makeup, and special effects in tandem.”
What have been some of your favorite moments at AMUA?
“One of my favorite moments is at the beginning: speaking the effects program into existence with Ashley. Now I love watching our students graduate and be successful in the industry… those will always be my favorite moments.”
Any plans for the next 7 years?
“I hope to be watching some of our alumni winning awards and accepting nominations. As for me, I will be doing what I’ve always done: making art that makes me happy and helping others in their artistic endeavors.”
Thank you Ben for the last seven years!
Semester Wrap-up:
We hope our students had a good Thanksgiving break because it’s crunch time now!
Classes end on December 17th, which means due dates on those final projects are coming in hot! We’re all so proud of everything each student has accomplished thus far, and we’re all SO excited to see these final projects.
On December 17th at 7pm we will be hosting a Portfolio Review and Graduation event for our students! We can’t wait to see everyone’s hard work on display for family and friends.
