Artful Edge Academy is a professional art studio in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, where artists of all ages and skill levels can learn, create, and express themselves in art.
We offer group classes and individual instruction within a supportive, inspiring, and welcoming studio environment.
Our courses combine technical skills, conceptual thinking, art history, and creative exploration to help artists build confidence, discover new materials, master techniques, and develop their own style. We’re here to help you find and develop your unique artistic voice!
Build a strong foundation in art and design through personalized, hands-on instruction tailored to your interests, goals, and experience level.
Artful Edge Academy offers individualized art classes for beginners, adults, teens, and kids, as well as focused portfolio preparation for High School, college, graduate school, and professional development.
• Foundation and skill-building for beginning through advanced artists
• College, graduate school, and career portfolio preparation
Whether you’re developing your skills, preparing for your next academic step, or pursuing a deeper creative practice, you’ll receive serious artistic training in a professional studio environment while developing your own creative vision and artistic voice.
2026-2027 CLASSES
WE MAKE
GREAT ART!
AEA’s Art High School Portfolio Preparation program helps students develop a strong, competitive portfolio for admission to NYC’s specialized visual arts high schools.
Each student builds a portfolio that demonstrates technical skill, originality, and a clear creative voice, aligned with the qualities admissions reviewers look for in successful applicants.––
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)
High School College Application Portfolio Development
Our College portfolio preparation program specializes in MFA admissions and graduate art school portfolio development. Students receive individualized guidance based on their academic background, artistic direction, and target programs.
Through advanced studio projects, structured portfolio development, and in-depth critiques, students build a graduate-level portfolio that demonstrates technical skill, conceptual depth, and a clear artistic vision. The program prepares students to present a polished, professional portfolio aligned with MFA admissions standards.
Application Strategy & Portfolio Presentation
Applying to arts-focused schools requires more than strong artwork. We work closely with students and families to develop a targeted list of schools based on each student’s interests, goals, and aspirations.
Our program provides support with every stage of the application process, including portfolio development, artist statements, essays, professional photography of artwork, video interviews, and portfolio presentations. We help students assemble application materials that align with the specific requirements of each school while presenting a clear and authentic artistic voice.
Creative Coaching & Mentorship
Developing as an artist requires both skill and confidence. Through ongoing mentorship, students gain clarity in their artistic direction and learn how to articulate their creative process through writing, interviews, and portfolio presentations.
Through AEA’s Art Experiences Program, students have opportunities to connect with professional artists, designers, educators, and industry professionals throughout New York City for portfolio reviews, studio visits, and career-focused conversations that deepen their understanding of creative practice
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
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)
Middle School Portfolio Development
AEA supports students through every step of the High School admissions process, helping them develop work that meets and exceeds what arts high school review committees are looking for!
A Successful High School Portfolio includes:
Self-portrait drawn from observation (graphite)
Still life drawing of at least 3 objects (graphite, observational)
Full-figure drawing from observation with realistic proportions
(Optional) Up to 5 additional works in any medium (painting, digital, sculpture, photography, etc.)
Creative prompt piece ( a “Fantastical Sandwich” or similar imagination-based assignment)
Student Interview: 3-minute video or 500-word written statement discussing selected works, materials, and influence
Choose from an 8 or 20 week afterschool classes, students will create original portfolio pieces and optionally refine 1–2 existing works, to build a cohesive portfolio that stands out in the competitive NYC art and design high school admissions process. Through individualized instruction and expert feedback, students will strengthen their technical skills, develop stronger concepts, and learn how to present their work with intention. The goal is a portfolio that not only meets admissions requirements, but also demonstrates a clear creative vision, strong artistic ability, and the potential to thrive in a rigorous art and design program.
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
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)
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
Individual Classes
Ongoing Enrollment + Free Virtual Portfolio Reviews!
Send us a Message to Schedule a Meeting
We offer flexible enrollment throughout the year, allowing students to begin portfolio development when they are ready. Whether you are developing foundational skills or refining advanced work, our personalized instruction helps you build a strong, cohesive portfolio through focused projects and ongoing feedback.
Meet your Instructor
Michelle Hinebrook is a professional artist and art educator with more than twenty-five years of experience in art and design education. She holds an MFA in Painting from Cranbrook Academy of Art and a BFA in Design from the College for Creative Studies. She is currently an Associate Professor at Pratt Institute and a teaching artist with Young Audiences New York and UrbanGlass.
“Painting and teaching are my superpowers, I love working with & inspiring creative minds”
AEA Educator: Michelle Hinebrook
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. I also serve on portfolio review panels for art and design schools and as a juror for visual arts competitions, which keeps me closely connected to current expectations in admissions and professional practice.
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 move forward in clear, achievable steps.
I come to this work from my own experience of learning art without formal training in my early years. I taught myself to draw and built my portfolio independently in order to apply to art school. That experience continues to shape how I teach today. It’s why I care deeply about access, clarity, and making sure students feel supported no matter their starting point.
