Red Shoe Studios is home to artist Michael Manning and organizing classes, programs and Social Practice Art projects. The projects are connected to art programs at the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich, Greenwich Public Schools and the Developing Artist Program funded with a grant from the Greenwich Alliance for Education. Additional funding for the Developing Artist Program has come from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, CT Office of the Arts (COA), and the National Endowment for the Arts. Michael has used his studio practice and methods as an educator to create highly engaging successful art programs. He has a unique ability to get young artists to think outside the box and see themselves as emerging artists and problem solvers. He currently is heading the art department at a New York high school where his classes are part of the core academic curriculum.
Michael Manning is a studio artist working primarily as a painter with additional work focused on sculptures using repurposed materials and most recently Social Practice Art projects. He earned his BFA from the University of the Arts and an MFA from Montclair State University. Originally from the Philadelphia area, Manning has lived in numerous locations including, New York, San Francisco, Chicago and has worked extensively in German and Italy, collaborating with artists Eckhard Zylla and Reiner Gramlic, collectivity known as Six Hand Painting. His artwork has been part of numerous regional and international exhibitions. Solo and group exhibitions in Haus der Kunst Museum in Munich, Germany; Arnot Art Museum, Elmira, NY; University of Connecticut; Seton Hall University; The Flinn Gallery, Greenwich, CT; New York galleries including Pablo's Birthday and HP Garcia Gallery; Kohler, The Art of Inspiration Project; Red Bull, Kaustner and Partners; W-Hotel, New York, NY and other corporate collections and private collection.