Aldo Cundari, one of three 海角社区官网businessmen who has helped resurrect the 海角社区官网School of Art, stands in one of the newly refurbished rooms on the second floor of the old public school near the corner of Bloor and Dufferin.
Aldo Cundari, one of three 海角社区官网businessmen who has helped resurrect the 海角社区官网School of Art, stands in one of the newly refurbished rooms on the second floor of the old public school near the corner of Bloor and Dufferin.
A trio of 海角社区官网businessmen have banded together to resurrect the 海角社区官网School of Art.
The school will reopen May 4 at a new location after it Instructors were given less than 24 hours to pack up their supplies before the chair of the board confirmed the more than 40-year-old institution was bankrupt on Nov. 30.
That day, Brian Bradstreet and Sol Roter, both investors taking courses at the school, began talking about how to save it while recovering their projects from the building.
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Aldo Cundari was working, so Bradstreet grabbed his work for him. When Cundari, who is also a businessman, dropped by Bradstreet鈥檚 house the next morning, they got to talking and the partnership was cemented.
Cundari has been taking sculpting classes at the school for four years and knew what the city would be losing if it closed for good.
鈥淵ou feel that you鈥檙e amongst artists teaching artists,鈥 said the chairman and CEO of Cundari Group Ltd., an advertising company. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great community.鈥
The school鈥檚 faculty, blindsided by the decision to close the school, have been actively involved in the renaissance. They鈥檝e given new owners Bradstreet, Roter and Cundari a nickname: the three wise men.
The men bought the school鈥檚 assets, acquired the rights to the name and found it a new home on Dufferin St., just south of Bloor St. W.
The school lost its ability to give certificates and diplomas when it closed, and for now is focusing on offering single courses.
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Diane Mohan was one of about 30 students enrolled in a program leading towards a diploma. She was half a credit shy of graduating when the school closed its doors.
She said it is the only school in the city that allows part-time study, and she would be 鈥渄isappointed鈥 if she were unable to get a diploma.
Tom Campbell, the faculty director, said they want to help students in Mohan鈥檚 situation.
鈥淭here is a feeling something has to be done for them,鈥 he said.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities told the Star it is working with affected students to help them complete their diplomas.
The school is also working to regain its registered charity status, which it lost when it declared bankruptcy.
To view the spring 2013 course schedule and sign up for courses, visit or call 416-473-7949.
Kamila Hinkson Kamila Hinkson is a former 海角社区官网Star staff reporter.
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