Artful Edge Academy is a professional art studio in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.
We work with artists of all ages and skill levels.
Master techniques, create, and express themselves through art.
AEA is a powerful portfolio development program created for parents of artistic students who need a strong portfolio for high school or college applications.
We love helping students discover what makes their work unique, strengthen their portfolios, and create standout applications that support their future careers in Visual Arts or Design.
“I created AEA to offer my 26 years of teaching and professional experience as an Artist to aspiring artists to help them build outstanding portfolios”
INDIVIDUAL INSTRUCTION
Course Information:
Students will create 3-5 finished, portfolio-ready artworks, learn about art history, color theory, experiment with a wide variety of materials, and master several techniques.
The subject matter, material choice, and project outcomes are tailored to your goals. A bonus free planning session is offered before the first class.
Materials:
Drawing in Charcoal, Graphite, Color Pencil, Pastel
Painting in Watercolor, Acrylic, Oil
Instruction in drawing, design, painting, glass, photography, digital media, sculpture, and illustration.
Details:
2 hour classes (Extended hours are available)
Material fee $60 or BYO
Bonus Application Support:
Full portfolio documentation, photography, editing
Video interview preparation and filming
One-on-one lessons and application guidance
Customized projects aligned with portfolio requirements
Statement writing and presentation support
Letter of recommendation
GROUP INSTRUCTION
20 Group Classes:
Fall/Winter
Wednesday: Sept 30th - March 10th (no class:11/11, 12/30, 1/6, 2/17)
Course Information:
Students will create 13-15 finished Artworks, learn about art history, color theory, experiment with a wide variety of materials, and master techniques. Meets on Wednesdays, 20 classes, 2 hours at AEA studio in Brooklyn.
Portraiture
Observational Drawing from Life
Figure drawing
Art historical painting
Landscape
Still Life
Abstraction + Principles of Art and Design
Collage and Mixed Media
Materials:
Drawing in Charcoal, Graphite, Color Pencil, Pastel
Painting in Watercolor and Acrylic
Details:
20 Classes
2 hour classes (Extended hours are available)
Small class sizes 4-8 students. (* Group classes must have a minimum of 3 students)
Material fee $50 or BYO
8 Group Classes: Wednesday: September 30th - November 25th (does not meet on school holidays)
Course Information: Portfolio preparation for High School applications. Students will create 6 finished Artworks, learn about art history, color theory, experiment with a wide variety of materials, and master techniques.
Portraiture, Observational Drawing, Figure drawing, Art historical painting, Landscape, Still Life, Abstraction + Principles of Art and Design, Collage and Mixed Media
Materials: Sketchbook, Charcoal, Graphite, Color Pencil, Pastel, Painting in Watercolor and Acrylic . Material fee $50 or BYO
Details: AEA Studio 1000 Dean st Brooklyn NY 112238
8 Classes, 2 hour classes (Extended hours are available) .
Small class sizes 4-8 students. (* Group classes must have a minimum of 3 students)
20 Group Classes: Thursday: October 1- March 11th (does not meet on school holidays)
Course Information: Advanced preparation for BFA applications. Students will create 13-15 finished Artworks, learn about art history, color theory, experiment with a wide variety of materials, and master techniques.
Portraiture, Observational Drawing, Figure drawing, Art historical painting, Landscape, Still Life, Abstraction + Principles of Art and Design, Collage and Mixed Media
Materials: Sketchbook, Charcoal, Graphite, Color Pencil, Pastel, Painting in Watercolor and Acrylic . Material fee $50 or BYO
Details: AEA Studio 1000 Dean st Brooklyn NY 112238
20 Classes, 2 hour classes (Extended hours are available) .
Small class sizes 4-8 students. (* Group classes must have a minimum of 3 students)
8 Group Classes: Thursday: October 1- November 26th (does not meet on school holidays)
Course Information: Advanced preparation for BFA applications. Students will create 13-15 finished Artworks, learn about art history, color theory, experiment with a wide variety of materials, and master techniques.
Portraiture, Observational Drawing, Figure drawing, Art historical painting, Landscape, Still Life, Abstraction + Principles of Art and Design, Collage and Mixed Media
Materials: Sketchbook, Charcoal, Graphite, Color Pencil, Pastel, Painting in Watercolor and Acrylic . Material fee $50 or BYO
Details: AEA Studio 1000 Dean st Brooklyn NY 112238
8 Classes, 2 hour classes (Extended hours are available) .
Small class sizes 4-8 students. (* Group classes must have a minimum of 3 students)
Ongoing Enrollment
Free Portfolio Reviews
Send us a Message
We help students develop foundational to advanced skills or refine existing work.
Personalized instruction helps you build a strong, cohesive portfolio tailored to application requirements.
We also can offer flexible enrollment throughout the year.
Our students have been accepted to the top Art and Design Colleges, with scholoraships and grants based on the quality of thier portfolio.
Our Middle School students have been admitted to the most competitive High School Programs IN NYC.
“AEA is the best portfolio program in NYC!”
“Michelle is a phenomenal teacher.
She has grown my daughter’s confidence in her abilities and taught her a variety of techniques that helped her create an amazing portfolio that earned her a scholarship! I always knew my daughter was talented, but Michelle helped her take her skills to the next level. She is patient, encouraging, and incredibly talented. I highly recommend taking advantage of her expertise. She will help your child build confidence, develop their skills, and reach their full potential.”
— Kara Smith, ParentWorking with Michelle was so much fun! She was a great teacher and really helped me to improve my artistic skills in such a short period of time!
The one-on-one sessions really helped me narrow in on my personal strengths and weaknesses. I hope we can work together again in the future!
-Monet Freidman, AEA student
“ When I realized my son needed help creating an art portfolio for High School, I didn’t know how to help him, I’m not creative person. A friend recommended Michelle at AEA. I was so fortunate to find such a talented artist and Pratt professor. Michelle created a custom portfolio plan for Ben, and I was blown away by the artwork he created. She helped him with all of the high school requirements for visual arts. His portfolio was outstanding, and he was lucky enough to get into LaGuardia his first choice.”
— Jessica Allen, Parent
With the work I created at AEA, I was accepted into my top two colleges and received a $40,000 scholarship!
Michelle is not only a gifted artist but an exceptional instructor. I loved working in the studio and exploring new materials in my paintings—it was such a fun and inspiring experience.
- Jessie Green, AEA Student
— Dan TaserakiMichelle came to the rescue when we realized our son had only a couple of months to put together an entire art portfolio for his November high school auditions.
Week by week, she helped him create a spectacular portfolio that got him into LaGuardia. He learned essential art techniques, learned about a variety of subjects, and explored several mediums.
— Dan TaserakiAEA made the challenging college portfolio process clear, focused, and inspiring. My daughter received personalized instruction, clear goals, and the confidence to believe in herself.
Thanks to Michelle’s expert guidance, she was accepted to her dream college with a large scholarship. We are so grateful for Michelle’s support and the creativity she helped nurture in my daughter.
– Kristi Scott, Parent
Painting and teaching are my superpowers, I love working with & inspiring creative minds,
I’m here to help you take the first step with confidence.
Michelle Hinebrook
At the core of my teaching is a commitment to real artistic growth. I help students build confidence, strengthen technical skills, and develop focused, intentional work that is authentic to their individual voices.
My approach emphasizes curiosity, experimentation, self-expression, and acceptance. I meet students where they are, provide guidance and support, and encourage them to explore their ideas, take creative risks, and grow as artists.
I’m the Lead Instructor and Director of Artful Edge Academy, where I help young artists develop their skills, creative voices, and portfolios for art and design college. I started AEA after parents in my community began asking me to help with portfolio development and college applications. I love helping students discover what makes their work unique, strengthen their portfolios, and find the right direction for their creative goals. I created AEA to bring that experience to more young artists.
Qualifications:
Professor at Pratt Institute with more than 26 years of experience teaching art, design, drawing, color, art history, and professional practices. I have worked for 10 years as a Teaching Artist in several NYC K–12 schools. I’m also a professional painter with an international studio practice.
I have taught portfolio development and professional practices to all ages. I have worked in academic advising and admissions and I serve on portfolio review committees and panels for leading art and design colleges.
I received my MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art and my BFA in Art and Design from the College for Creative Studies.
I also serve as a juror for visual arts competitions, which keeps me closely connected to current expectations in admissions portfolios and professional practices.
My teaching grows out of my own studio practice, years of classroom experience, and ongoing work with students in both secondary and higher education. My courses are informed by art history, portfolio-based learning, and the New York City Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in the Arts.
Drawing
Charcoal
Colored Pencil
Oil Pastel
Pen & Ink
Pencil
Soft Pastel
Painting
Watercolor
Oil
Acrylic
Printmaking
Mixed Media
Inks
Dry Pigments
3Dimensional
Clay
Mixed Media Sculpture
Stained Glass
Glass Fusing and Painting
3D Modeling
Design and Digital Media
Graphic Design
Advertising and Branding
Animation and Motion Graphics
Film and Video
Prototyping and Printing
Web Design
Design for Social Media
Color Design
Color Theory
Pattern Design and Color
Designing with Color Harmonies
Color Mixing
Color for Interior Design
Product and Packaging Design
Packing Dielines
Product Design
Industry-Specific Design
Packaging Design
Prototyping and Production
Physical Mockups
Digital Modeling