Teen Classes | The Art Annex

middle + high school classes

our winter semester is jan 2 - March 30

registration for winter will open nov 15h at noon

we will be closed feb 15 - 23 for midwinter break,

but classes will be in session all other days and holidays.

fall 2025 portfolio prep classes

A note about our fall portfolio prep program:

We will still be offering a 6th+7th Grade portfolio prep on Thursday evenings,

as a 3 part class designed to be taken for the full year.

We will still be offering an 8th Grade Portfolio Intensive on Sunday early afternoons, designed for students who need help creating a full or nearly full portfolio for the NYC HS process.

NEW this year we will also be offering several one-session workshops, each focusing on one element of the DoE High School Portfolio, for students who have already started a portfolio but need support on just specific elements.

6th and 7th Grade

Portfolio Prep

with vic

Ages: 6th-7th Graders

Class Time: 5:30-6:45pm

Dates: Thursdays 9/4/25-12/18/25*

*No class 11/27 for Thanksgiving Break

This class is designed to be taken for all 3 semesters, followed by our 8th Grade Fall Portfolio Intensive the next year if needed.

Join us for our 1st semester of 6th and 7th grade Portfolio Prep!

Semester 1 (Fall 2025)

This semester we will focus on drawing objects from observation using pencil and charcoal. Through exercises and longer finished drawings we will learn essential drawing techniques including using line, tone, shadow and perspective. Students will begin practicing drawing basic objects and will then have the opportunity to set up their own still lives using objects they are interested in drawing. In addition to bringing home physical work, the teacher will photograph and organize each student's work into an individual online portfolio, complete with weekly feedback.

Semester 2 (Winter 2026)

This semester we will focus on drawing self portraits from observation using pencil. We will practice drawing faces and noticing their specificities, drawing from photos, from others in the class and from observation in the mirror. We will strive to see new things about ourselves and to make self portraits that show personality and expression, in addition to essential observational drawing skills.

Semester 3 (Spring 2026)

This semester we will focus on drawing the human body. Beginning with photos and wooden figures we will begin to understand anatomy and proportion in the body, noticing weight and balance. We will move on to drawing from live models, using charcoal and practicing gesture, shape, volume and mark making.

These three semesters will prepare students to have three main elements of the high school application portfolio, and will help them build essential drawing skills to use in their creative work. In addition to this class, students should be working on their own personal art, to develop these skills but also to show their specific artistic interests and style. In 8th Grade Portfolio students will collect these pieces in addition to other creative pieces students have made in their free time, and we will build a strong portfolio together.

If you are not applying for an art high school, but are still interested in developing your observational drawing skills in a focused environment, you are welcome to join us.

$590 (All Materials Included)*

*Cost is for Fall semester only. Registration for future semesters will open late fall, and will be priced according to number of class sessions. Students already enrolled in fall will be given priority registration for Winter and Spring.

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registration opens 7/15 at noon

8th Grade Portfolio intensive

with vic

Ages: 8th Graders

Class Time: 12:00 - 2:15pm

Dates: Every Sunday, 9/7/25 - 12/7/25*

*No class 11/30 for Thanksgiving

*The DoE has not yet released the application deadline, but if it ends up being later than 12/12, families will have the option to extend the class

In this intensive, we will be preparing a visual arts portfolio as part of the high school audition process. We will be focusing on creating high quality pieces for the following requirements: a self-portrait, a still life, a figure drawing, and a fantastical sandwich. We will also discuss how to photograph and format pieces successfully for submission. This semester-long class is only open to 8th graders and will include opportunities to work on individual projects. This class is designed for students who need help creating the whole portfolio, but given that the class only spans one semester, students will also be expected to work on certain elements on their own in addition to class time.

Students will bring home the work they create in class, and the teacher will photograph and organize each student's work into an individual online portfolio. Students will also receive a portfolio checklist, complete with weekly teacher progress notes so that parents have an understanding of the process.

$975

All materials and drawing model fees included

registration opens 7/15 at noon

fall 2025 portfolio workshops

self portrait workshop

with vic

Ages: 8th Graders

Class Time: 3:00 - 5:00pm

Date: Sunday 10/5/25

This workshop will focus on the self portrait piece as a required element for the NYC High School admissions process. Students are welcome to bring their existing pieces for feedback and to continue working on, or can use the workshop to begin their self portrait. Some students will finish their piece during the workshop, while others may need to complete them at home.

$55 (All materials included)

registration opens 7/15 at noon

still life workshop

with vic

Ages: 8th Graders

Class Time: 3:00 - 5:00pm

Date: Sunday 10/19/25

This workshop will focus on the still life drawing as a required element for schools in the NYC High School admissions process. Students are welcome to bring their existing pieces for feedback and to continue working on, or can use the workshop to begin their still life. Some students will finish their piece during the workshop, while others may need to complete them at home. Students should plan to bring in their own objects so that they can continue working on their piece at home if needed.

$55 (All materials included)

registration opens 7/15 at noon

figure drawing workshop

with rosie

Ages: 8th Graders

Class Time: 3:00 - 5:00pm

Date: Sunday 10/26/25

This workshop will focus on the figure drawing as a required element for schools in the NYC High School admissions process. Students are welcome to bring any existing pieces for feedback. Students will begin this workshop by creating warm-up and gesture drawings and then move into one longer pose that can be used in their portfolio.

$60 (All materials included, this also includes a fee to cover the model)

registration opens 7/15 at noon

fantastical sandwich workshop

with vic

Ages: 8th Graders

Class Time: 3:00 - 5:00pm

Date: Sunday 11/2/25

This workshop will focus on the fantastical sandwich as a required element for select schools in the NYC High School admissions process (Art and Design High School, LaGuardia, and Frank Sinatra*). Students are welcome to bring their existing pieces for feedback and to continue working on, or can use the workshop to begin their fantastical sandwich. Some students will finish their piece during the workshop, while others may need to complete them at home.

*This is based on our current understanding of which schools require this element, but it is subject to change.

$55 (All materials included)

registration opens 7/15 at noon

portfolio assembly + Review

with rosie

Ages: 8th Graders

Class Time: 3:00 - 5:00pm

Date: Sunday 11/16/25

This workshop will help students choose which pieces to include in their portfolio, as well as how to photograph and submit their work for a strong NYC High School application. Students should plan to bring their portfolio pieces for feedback and photographing, and will also be given time to work on existing pieces in class. Students can bring their own camera (a phone with a good camera is fine) or can have the teacher photograph and email their work if needed.

$55 (All materials included)

registration opens 7/15 at noon

portfolio assembly + Review

with vic - if needed

Ages: 8th Graders

Class Time: 3:00 - 5:00pm

Date: Sunday 11/9/25

$55 (All materials included)

registration opens 7/15 at noon

Students from our past portfolio prep classes have received offers from their first choice schools including

High School of Art & Design and LaGuardia High School

9-12th grade classes:

We are interested in providing programming for 9-12th grade students!

All of the classes we have offered for this age group so far, however, have had no enrollment

so we are not offering any new classes at this time.

If you are a 9th-12th grader interested in Art classes (or the parent of one), please email us!

We would love to get your input to create a class.

Do you offer Drop In Classes?

We do! We offer drop in options for any of our Early Childhood classes that are not full. Drop In registration opens the first day of the semester. Simply click here or on the "Drop In Class" button beside the class you are interested in to register. The class fee includes one adult and one child. You can register for as many drop in classes as you like, there is no limit. We cannot accommodate refunds or credits for missed drop-in classes at this time. Advanced registration for drop in classes is required, we cannot accommodate drop-ins at the door/at the time of class.
What if my child misses a class?

We are not able to offer refunds for missed classes unless we cancel a class. Each enrolled family can schedule 2 makeup classes per semester. If you enroll in a class, you'll be given instructions for how to schedule a makeup, should you miss a class. Makeups are permitted as space allows and are on a first come, first served basis. Makeups must be scheduled for the same semester in which you are enrolled. They do not carry over to future semesters. Drop-in classes are not eligible for makeups, credit, or refunds.
Does a grownup have to attend classes with my child?

For our Early Childhood Classes (ages 1.5-5) we do ask that a grownup stay with your child for the duration of class. Our teachers lead each session, but having the child's grownup stay not only helps the child feel comfortable, it also offers adults tools and techniques for continuing art experiences at home.
What is your cancellation policy?

We understand that sometimes things come up that make it no longer possible for your child to attend class with us. But we ask that you also understand that late cancellations mean we are unlikely to be able to fill the space in the class, but have already made arrangements for staff and materials. We cannot accommodate refunds or credits for missed drop-in classes at this time. You have two options for cancellation of semester-long classes: Option 1: More than 4 weeks prior to the first class? You can receive credit for the full class minus a $75 cancellation fee. Less than 4 weeks prior to the first class but more than 1 week? You can receive 50% credit for the class minus a $75 cancellation fee. Cancellations made less than one week prior to the start of class are not eligible for credit. Option 2: If it's more than one week prior to the start of class and we are able to fill your spot from the waitlist (if there is one), we will refund you the cost of the class minus a $75 cancellation fee. We cannot give refunds less than one week prior to the start of class. Please note that we only offer full (100%) refunds for a class if WE cancel the class. We are also unable to offer refunds for days or classes missed due to illness or travel. Two makeup classes per semester are available for all of our Early Childhood classes. Drop-in classes are not eligible for credit or refunds.
How do the semesters work?

With the goal of creating classes that are at different price points and therefore accessible to more families, we split the semester into two parts: Semester A and Semester B. You can register for just one, or both (register for both at the same time for a discount!).
Can I bring my child's sibling if they are outside the age group?

Possibly! We want to work with families to create a meaningful art experience for everyone attending our classes. So if you would like to bring a child's sibling who is outside the age group listed in the description, please just email us: info@theartannexbrooklyn.com. If they are within the age group, please just sign them up for a drop in that day.
Do you offer discounts or scholarships?

We fundamentally believe that people of all ages deserve access to high quality arts programming. If you or your child would like to attend one of our classes but cannot for financial reasons, please contact us at info@theartannexbrooklyn.com. We also offer a refer-a-friend credit! For every friend you refer to The Art Annex who registers for a class, we'll add a $20 credit to your account as a thank you. Just make sure your friend writes your name in the "how did you hear about us" section when they register. There is no limit to the number of friend credit you can earn, and credit with us does not expire.