Famous Russian-American painter and brilliant portraitist taught at this school before emigrating to United States in 1923. After that — study at the Theatre Academy in Saint-Petersburg at the department of Set Design. For few years afterwards worked on several shows in different theatres of the country as a set designer. The most significant work for the Theatre was costume design for the opera “ L’ecume des Jours “ by composer Edison Denisov based on the novel of the same title by Boris Vian, which was staged in the Perm Opera and Ballet Theatre in 1989 ( The World Premiere of Denisov’s Opera took place in Paris in 1986). During the guest performance of the Perm Theatre in Moscow the opera was performed at the Bolshoi Theatre. In the early 90’s  stopped working for the theater and focused on painting and graphics. Psychological portrait from life, still-life and nude model became the main directions. Artist works only from life — never from photos. In his portraits he tries to convey the beauty and significance of the sitter’s inner life. In his creative work, especially in Portraiture, Sergey tries to join together the traditions of the academic, realistic School with a harmony of Neoclassicism. In 1991 Russian National Television made half-hour documentary about Svetlakov’s work. The film was shown on TV in the same year. For the recent years the prestigious London auction of the Russian Art MacDougall’s sells his paintings.

Exhibitions: Art Manege Art Fair, Moscow, Russia, April, 2000, Zero Gallery.