Artful Edge Academy is a professional art studio in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.
Where artists of all ages and skill levels learn, create, and express themselves through art making.
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AEA is a powerful portfolio development program that was created for parents who have artistic students and need a portfolio to apply to High School or College applications.
I love helping students discover what makes their work unique, strengthen their portfolios, and find their future careers in Visual Arts or Design.
I created AEA to offer my 26 years of teaching and professional art experience to help young artists build outstanding portfolios!
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We believe in keeping things simple, smart, and human. Every project starts with listening and ends with something we're proud to share.
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Middle School and High School students are welcome to apply to the group programs.
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 Virtual Portfolio Reviews!
Send us a Message to Schedule a Meeting
We will help you to develop foundational to advanced skills or refine existing work.
Our personalized instruction is designed to help you build a strong, cohesive portfolio focused on 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“ 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
Michelle 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 met the criteria of the top art schools while highlighting a variety of subjects and mediums.
— Dan Taseraki
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.
Your Instructor
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 received my MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art and my BFA in Art and Design from the College for Creative Studies.
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.
I’m also a Professor at Pratt Institute with more than 25 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.
My teaching approach has an emphasis on curiosity, experimentation, self-expression, and acceptance. I believe students do their strongest work when they are guided while also encouraged to explore their own ideas, take creative risks, and develop their individual artistic voices.
I have taught portfolio development and professional practices to all ages. I have worked in academic advising and admissions and served on portfolio review committees and panels for leading art and design colleges. I also serve as a juror for visual arts competitions, which keeps me closely connected to current expectations in admissions and professional practice.
My teaching grows out of my own studio practice, years of classroom experience, and ongoing work with students in both secondary and higher education. I design curriculum informed by art history, portfolio-based learning, and the New York City Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in the Arts.
At the core of my teaching is a simple goal: to support real artistic growth. I want students to build confidence, develop technical skill, and create a body of work that feels focused, intentional, and authentic to them. I teach with care, curiosity, and respect for each student’s process, meeting them where they are while helping them achieve their goals
Drawing
Charcoal
Colored Pencil
Oil Pastel
Pen & Ink
Pencil
Soft Pastel
Painting
Watercolor
Oil
Acrylic
Printmaking
Mixed Media
Inks
3Dimensional
Clay
Mixed Media Sculpture
Stained Glass
Packaging Design
Prototyping and Production