Linda Perlmutter
President and Founder of Odyssey Art Centers & Odyssey Art at Sea
An International Educator with a Passion for Creative Empowerment
Linda Perlmutter has dedicated her life to making art accessible, enriching, and transformative—whether in a classroom, a world-renowned museum, or aboard an ocean liner. Her journey began in the New York City public school system, where she quickly rose from art teacher to district art supervisor, eventually teaching graduate-level courses to educators on the creative application of visual media.
She holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Hunter College and studied watercolor intensively for over a decade at the Art Students League in New York under master painter Mario Cooper. Her education also includes Chinese brush painting at the China Institute in New York—an influence that continues to inform her distinctive style.
From Studio Walls to Open Waters – A Life in Art
As the popularity of her classes grew, Perlmutter was invited to teach beyond the studio. A pivotal moment occurred at Canyon Ranch in the Berkshires, where, while painting as a guest, she was invited to teach their wellness-focused clientele. This led to seven years of seasonal residencies, offering creative watercolor workshops that became a highlight for returning guests.
She further expanded her reach with a long-running cable television program, where viewers of all levels followed her painting process and learned foundational techniques. Her success eventually took her to sea—first aboard Cunard Line ships—where she transformed modest onboard art sessions into thriving creative communities, often drawing over forty participants per class.
Odyssey Art at Sea – A Global Legacy of Artistic Learning
More than thirty years ago, recognizing her unique teaching style and the enthusiastic reception of her classes, Cunard invited Perlmutter to formalize her approach. The result was Odyssey Art at Sea—a groundbreaking program that would set the gold standard for arts education in the luxury cruise industry.
Since its inception, Perlmutter has personally trained over 350 instructors from around the world in her immersive teaching methodology. These educators attend an intensive workshop at her studio in Sleepy Hollow, New York, preparing them to bring meaningful and inspiring art instruction to cruise guests globally.
She also developed the Masterpiece Program exclusively for Crystal Cruises—an in-depth artistic experience offering specialized media such as acrylic painting, mosaic, jewelry design, collage, sculpture, pastels, decoupage, and more. The program is now a hallmark of every Crystal voyage.
An Accomplished Artist in Her Own Right
Beyond her work as an educator, Perlmutter remains a dedicated and prolific artist. Her signature wet-on-wet watercolor technique lends a soft, atmospheric quality to her paintings, which are held in both private and corporate collections across the globe—from Tel Aviv to Wisconsin and Maine.
She is also celebrated for her collaborations with fine stationery publisher H. George Caspari, which has featured her artwork on note cards and other products for over four decades.
Linda Perlmutter’s legacy is one of artistic excellence, educational innovation, and a deep commitment to bringing creativity into people’s lives—wherever in the world they may be.