Milan Art InstituteReviews of milanartinstitute.com

Loved the video. It was very detailed and had some really good close ups which helps me determine how well Im doing. It would extra nice to have you provide some close up pictures, at the end, of the whole face and sections like mouth lips eyes cheeks. Thanks again ,

Since I am not in the Mastery program, I expected detailed instruction at each session. I experienced more opportunities for introspection and reflection on my own choices and processes. This was actually just what I needed after my spouse passed away last year. He was always my biggest source of support. I met many wonderful participants and enjoyed my stay in Sarasota. I’m still processing my take-aways but have embraced a daily art practice again. This is the breakthrough I had hoped for so I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to attend!

I originally left a negative review of Milan Art Institute and Milan Art Gallery because of serious concerns about the transparency of their competitions, potential conflicts of interest, and their practice of promoting paid educational programs to rejected artists. After receiving their response, my concerns have become significantly worse. **On October 1, 2026, I received an official rejection email stating:** "Dimitra, Elli, and Jock looked at every painting you sent." The email informed me that none of my artwork had been selected for their Moonlight Mirage exhibition. It included a generic rejection message attributed to the gallery director, followed by an extensive list of artistic shortcomings I was encouraged to consider. I subsequently requested a refund, explaining my concerns about the competition's judging process and its relationship to Milan's commercial art education business. **On October 9, their Artist Support Team responded with several lengthy paragraphs defending their integrity, fairness, and educational philosophy.** But the final paragraph contained this astonishing admission: "I've went ahead and made an exception to our policy and issued the refund for you, since we didn't actually evaluate your work." **Excuse me?** You specifically told me three named judges had reviewed every painting I submitted. You rejected my artwork. You provided supposed guidance on what I should improve. And now you're telling me my work wasn't actually evaluated? **What exactly did I pay for?** This isn't about being upset that my paintings weren't selected. I fully understand that art competitions are subjective and that rejection is part of being an artist. What I cannot accept is paying for a juried competition, receiving a rejection explicitly claiming my work was reviewed, and then being told that it wasn't evaluated. I have asked Milan to provide a genuine, specific assessment of my submitted painting, addressing its composition, technique, originality, execution, and suitability for the exhibition. Not another generic list of artistic principles. Not another lengthy explanation of how passionate they are about helping artists. **I want to know what the judges actually thought of MY artwork and why it was rejected.** There is also the issue of their marketing practices. I work professionally in eCommerce, digital marketing, and conversion optimization. I understand customer acquisition funnels extremely well. Milan explained that rejected applicants receive discounts toward its paid educational programs because the company wants artists to feel they received something for their entry fee. That explanation only reinforced my original concerns. **I did not pay an entry fee to become a prospect for your art courses. I paid to participate in an art exhibition.** I never requested promotional materials for their educational programs, and I do not consider entering an art competition to be blanket consent to receive unrelated marketing offers. When a company combines paid competition entries, promotional messaging to rejected applicants, and expensive educational programs, it raises legitimate questions about whether the competition is primarily about discovering artistic talent or acquiring potential customers. And when that same company acknowledges that my work wasn't evaluated after explicitly telling me it was, those questions become much more serious. Yes, Milan issued my refund. But a refund doesn't erase the contradiction in their own written communications. **How many other artists have received rejection emails claiming their work was reviewed? Were all of those submissions genuinely evaluated?** I cannot answer those questions, but I believe artists deserve answers. I have retained the complete email correspondence, including both contradictory statements, and am happy to provide documentation. **My advice to other artists: Before paying to enter a Milan Art Gallery competition, ask who judges the submissions, how they are evaluated, what relationship the judges have to Milan's educational programs, and whether your entry automatically places you into their marketing funnel.** Artists deserve genuine consideration of their work, transparency, and honest communication. Not marketing pitches disguised as consolation prizes, generic rejection letters, and contradictory explanations about whether their artwork was ever evaluated.

Thrilled to have discovered Milan Institute...You are all incredibly generous with your knowledge and skills. I plan to take the mastery course this winter. Thank you!

It was a life changing experience! The hosts and quality of their art classes were amazing, the venues and activities were fantastic, and the food (OMG)! Milan Art could also call their Art Retreat a Culinary Experience!! It was my 3rd Art Retreat with Milan and You can’t go wrong! They truly deliver on beautiful experiences! I met my soul tribe. Friends for life. I will go again!! Love you guys!

I have been an artist for years. Taking course here and there but never could find a medium that I’m totally in love with. Doing a few courses I feel I’m starting to see where I’m headed. Still a lot to learn but excited for my journey. Thanks Eli and Dimitri!!

I highly recommend Milan Art Retreats in Greece and Italy they will change your life for the better. Your skills will improve and you'll have fun with other Artists from around the world at every level. You'll enjoy your new surroundings experience daily lessons together with a member of the Milan family and with professional art teachers and hosts, all graduates of Milan Art Mastery Program. This Retreats boost confidence and accelerate skills fast. I have been fortunate to attend three Retreats in Greece and Italy where I made long-standing friendships and graduated the Mastery Program 2026.

Every detail was thought out! Variety of activities, delicious food, great accommodations, everything was top notch. But the best part are the friendships you make, creating art side by side with like minded people. Highly recommend retreats!