Class enrollment
AEA specializes in art portfolio development for students applying to NYC’s competitive arts high schools and BFA art and design colleges.
Led by Michelle Hinebrook, a Pratt Institute professor and professional artist with an MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art and 26 years of art education experience.
AEA offers private lessons, group classes, and comprehensive portfolio preparation that meets NYCSP portfolio requirements. Including observational drawing, self-portraiture, the Fantastical Sandwich drawing, figure drawing, still life, and 3–4 additional works demonstrating each student’s skills, concepts, and material experimentation. We also offer professional portfolio photography, and interview preparation.
AEA helps students develop their artistic skills, build confidence, and create portfolios that showcase their individual strengths, creative vision, and artistic potential. Our classes address NYCSP portfolio requirements while encouraging students to think, experiment, and develop their own artistic voice.
MIDDLE SCHOOL APPLYING TO HIGH SCHOOL PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENT
MS Portfolio Intensive
5 Classes | 2 Hours Each
Prepare for NYC specialized art high school applications with AEA’s focused portfolio development program.
Create 3 Finished Artworks
Observational Drawing: Develop proportion, contour, value, form, and perspective.
Self-Portrait: Explore facial structure, likeness, features, and tonal range.
Still Life: Practice composition, negative space, light and shadow, and surface texture.
Specialized Assignment: The Fantastical Sandwich Drawing is required for applicants to Art and Design High School, Bayside High School, LaGuardia, the High School of Fashion Industries, and Frank Sinatra School of the Arts.
Portfolio & Interview Preparation (Optional Add-On)
Portfolio Selection: Select and sequence strong artworks; AEA handles scanning/photography and color correction.
Interview Preparation: Create an edited, 3-minute video discussing three artworks, or a written explanation of up to 500 words. Students discuss their concepts, materials, techniques, motivations, and artistic influences.
Program Details
Media: Drawing, painting, collage, mixed media, sculpture, photography, or digital art.
Class Size: Small groups of 3–6 students. Group classes require a minimum of 2 students.
Materials: $50 fee or bring your own supplies.
Location: AEA Studio, 1000 Dean St., #438, Brooklyn, NY 11238.
Schedule: Five 2-hour classes; extended hours available.
Middle School Group Class
10 Classes | 2 Hours Each
Course Overview
Prepare for high school art program applications through personalized portfolio development. Students will create 4–5 finished artworks that demonstrate their artistic skills, creativity, and individual ideas.
AEA’s curriculum strengthens observational drawing skills, including proportion, contour, value, form, perspective, and composition.
Portfolio Projects
Self-Portrait
Explore facial structure, likeness, features, and tonal range.
Still Life
Develop skills in object relationships, negative space, light and shadow, and surface texture.
Figure Drawing from a Live Model
Practice gesture, anatomy, proportion, clothing, and background.
The Fantastical Sandwich Drawing
Create an imaginative sandwich-themed drawing using graphite or colored pencils on paper. This assignment is required for applicants to Art and Design High School, Bayside High School, LaGuardia High School, the High School of Fashion Industries, and Frank Sinatra School of the Arts.
3-4 Additional Artworks
Create original pieces in any medium of your choice that reflect your personal interests and ideas. Students are encouraged to explore imagination, visual storytelling, original concepts, and a variety of artistic techniques.
Portfolio Presentation & Interview Preparation
Portfolio Selection
Select and sequence strong artworks. AEA will scan or photograph each piece and color-correct the images for you.
Interview & Written Presentation Preparation
Students can prepare either a recorded video or a written explanation of their work.
Video option: AEA helps script, record, and edit a 3-minute video in which students discuss three artworks: their self-portrait, still life, and one artwork of their choice.
Written option: Students receive guidance in creating a written explanation of up to 500 words about their artwork.
Students learn to discuss their subject choices, materials, motivations, techniques, art-historical influences, and creative decisions.
Program Details
Class Length: 10 classes, 2 hours each
Class Size: Small groups of 3–6 students
Minimum Enrollment: 2 students per group class
Artistic Media: Drawing, painting, collage, mixed media, sculpture, photography, and digital art
Materials: $50 materials fee or bring your own supplies
Location: AEA Studio, 1000 Dean Street, #438, Brooklyn, NY 11238
Middle School Complete Portfolio Class
14 Classes | 2 Hours Each
Course Overview: Complete Portfolio 7-9 Artworks
Prepare for specialized NYC high school art program applications through personalized portfolio development. Students create 7-9 finished artworks that focus on their artistic skills, creativity, and individual ideas.
AEA strengthens observational drawing skills, including proportion, contour, value, form, perspective, and composition.
Portfolio Projects
Self-Portrait: Explore facial structure, likeness, features, and tonal range.
Still Life: Develop skills in composition, object relationships, negative space, light and shadow, and surface texture.
Figure Drawing from a Live Model: Practice gesture, anatomy, proportion, clothing, and background.
The Fantastical Sandwich Drawing: Create an imaginative sandwich-themed drawing using graphite or colored pencils. Required for applicants to Art and Design High School, Bayside High School, LaGuardia High School, the High School of Fashion Industries, and Frank Sinatra School of the Arts.
3-4 Original Artworks: Create works in any medium of your choice, demonstrates imagination, visual storytelling, personal interests, and original concepts.
Optional Add-On: Portfolio Presentation & Interview Preparation
Portfolio Selection: We help select and sequence strong artworks, then photograph or scan and color-correct each piece.
Video or Written Presentation: Students can choose either:
Video: AEA scripts, records, and edits a 3-minute video discussing the student’s self-portrait, still life, and one artwork of their choice.
Written Statement: Guidance in preparing a written explanation of up to 500 words.
Students learn to explain their subject choices, materials, motivations, techniques, artistic influences, and creative decisions.
Program Details
Schedule: 14 classes, 2 hours each
Class Size: 3–6 students; minimum 2 students per group
Media: Drawing, painting, collage, mixed media, sculpture, photography, and digital art
Materials: $50 fee or bring your own supplies
Location: AEA Studio, 1000 Dean Street, #438, Brooklyn, NY 11238
HIGH SCHOOL APPLYING TO BFA COLLEGES: PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENT & ADULT CLASSES
This class is for High School students applying to College who need to develop 3-4 new pieces &/or to refine their existing work.
Advanced preparation for BFA applications. Students will create 3-4 finished Artworks, learn about art history, color theory, experiment with a wide variety of materials, and master techniques.
Example Projects: Portraiture, Observational Drawing, Figure Drawing, Landscape, Still Life, Abstraction, Illustration, Photography, Mixed Media, or Student-chosen subject matter.
Materials: Student Choice. Material fee $50 or BYO
Details: AEA Studio 1000 Dean st #438 Brooklyn NY 11238
10 Classes, 2 hour classes (Extended hours are available) .
Small class sizes 4-5students. (* Group classes must have a minimum of 3 students)
