About the Artist

Thomas Valenti served as President of Allied Artists of America (AAA) from 2006 – 2017.  For his decade-plus years of service and dedication to the organization, he was elected as an Honorary Member and now holds the title of Presidential Adviser. Allied Artists of America was formed in 1914 and is among the most prestigious art societies in the United States. In March 2018, the Board of Directors of the Salmagundi Club unanimously approved that Valenti is appointed to the status of Emeritus Membership. This honor is the highest level of membership that can be obtained through the organization and is given on rare occasions. The Salmagundi Club, based in Manhattan, NY, originated in 1871, making it one of the oldest art societies in America. Valenti is also a member of the New Jersey Watercolor Society (NJWCS). In February 2018, the organization voted that Valenti be named a Fellowship Member. This status is awarded only to artists who have maintained their membership for an uninterrupted period of 30 years or more. Thomas Valenti is one of four Founding Members of the (now defunct) America China Oil Painting Artists League, also known as ACOPAL. The organization was created as a means to broaden the horizons and interchange between American and Chinese artists who paint in a realistic manner. Valenti holds title on the Executive Board of Directors and is Presidential Adviser. He also developed the outline for the Constitution and By-Laws for the organization. Valenti assisted with curating an exhibition that included 50 of America’s most renowned artists. The exhibition, called Contemporary American Realism, was a year-long exhibit that traveled throughout China with venues that included Beijing World Art Museum; Chinese Academy of Oil Painting; Tianjin Art Museum; Shanghai Art Museum, and others. More than one-quarter of a million Chinese citizens in all viewed the exhibition.