A Two-Week Intensive

Designed for high school students preparing for college-level fine art programs, this two-week residency focuses exclusively on creative development and portfolio refinement. Through structured projects, advanced prompts, and mentorship, students will explore concept-driven work while integrating classical principles into their artistic practice.

This full-day immersive residency challenges students to expand their visual language and develop a portfolio that reflects both technical proficiency and personal vision.

Morning Sessions - Advanced Portfolio Development: Students engage in structured prompts designed to challenge their creativity while strengthening their composition, storytelling, and conceptual thinking. Projects reference historical techniques, material exploration, and contemporary artistic approaches, ensuring students build a portfolio that is both technically strong and creatively compelling.

Afternoon Sessions - Application of Classical Methods: Students take inspiration from still life painting, figure drawing, portrait painting, and landscape painting, applying these classical principles to self-directed creative work. Through guided exercises and personal experimentation, they learn to synthesize traditional techniques with their unique artistic voice, preparing them for the demands of competitive college programs.

By the end of the residency, students will:

• Develop a conceptually driven, portfolio-ready body of work for college applications.
• Learn to integrate classical methods into personal creative projects, strengthening both technique and originality.
• Receive structured guidance and critiques to refine their artistic direction.
• Gain confidence in their ability to generate and execute advanced creative ideas.

This residency is designed for serious high school students planning to apply to BFA or BA programs in fine art, illustration, or design or those who wish to showcase their committment to art as their passion, in addition to their non-art intended major. It is ideal for those seeking a focused, intensive environment to refine their work, expand their portfolio, and gain a deeper understanding of their artistic identity.

Dates: July 21 - August 1, 2025

Full Day Program - 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

MATERIALS NOT INCLUDED

AGES 16+

This four-week course will be a focused introduction to the principles of portrait painting from observation. The first session begins with studies from constructive drawing diagrams to establish a clear understanding of the head’s structure, emphasizing planar construction, proportion, and anatomical landmarks.

In the following three sessions, students will work directly from the model in a series of short-format painted studies. These exercises are designed to reinforce observation of form, color, and light. Instruction includes demonstrations, critique, and ongoing one-on-one feedback.

Open to beginning, intermediate and advanced students who seek to strengthen their understanding of clarity and structure in portraiture.

Tuition: $500

AGES 15-18ALL MATERIALS INCLUDEDThis pre-college summer intensive introduces students to the fundamentals of architectural design through a combination of studio practice, lectures, and model-making. Guided by recent Princeton University graduate Domenica K., participants will learn to think critically about space, structure, and materiality while developing their own design language.

Students will begin with architectural sketching and drafting exercises to build spatial literacy and an understanding of orthographic projection, axonometric drawing, and basic principles of scale and proportion. Emphasis will be placed on concept development, site analysis, and iterative design processes through both analog and physical media.

Throughout the course, students will engage in hands-on fabrication of architectural models using materials such as chipboard, basswood, foam core, and museum board. Techniques in scoring, folding, lamination, and volumetric construction will be introduced, culminating in a final presentation of a conceptual building or small-scale spatial intervention. Discussions will also cover tectonics, circulation, program, and precedent analysis drawn from historical and contemporary architectural works.

This studio offers a rigorous introduction to architectural thinking and making, suitable for students considering future studies in architecture, design, or related fields. All materials will be provided.Tuition: $750

AGES 18+

This four-week intensive introduces students to the foundational principles of constructive figure drawing. The first two sessions are dedicated to working from diagrams and academic plates, focusing on planar construction, gesture, proportion, and key anatomical landmarks. These sessions build a framework for understanding the figure as a structured form in space.

In the final two weeks, students will apply these principles in direct observation from a live model. These sessions emphasize clarity of form, directional movement, and spatial relationships, reinforcing the transition from theoretical study to perceptual accuracy.

This course is well suited for students with prior drawing experience who wish to deepen their understanding of the human figure through a structured, academic approach. But, is open to all skills levels.

Join Princeton Academy of Art for a week of painting & drawing the iconic sites of Princeton!

Dates: August 4 - 8, 2025

Times: 9:00AM - 12:00PM (3 hours)

Day 1 – Indoors at 10 Nassau St Studio

Day 2 – Prospect Garden

Day 3 – Nassau Hall

Day 4 – Freedom Fountain

Day 5 – Morven Museum & Garden 

All supplies included! We do however ask that students are prepared to spend a couple of hours outdoors. 

*Locations subject to change.

**If there is inclement weather, students will move indoors at our 10 Nassau St. location.

Join us for an engaging and educational 3-day session where your child will work from a live model to create a beautiful, structured portrait!

This experience offers children the opportunity to explore the world of portraiture under the guidance and instruction of an academy-trained artist.

Your child will learn the proportions of the face through step-by-step diagrams and afterward will draw the portrait from life.

Our instructor will teach essential techniques and skills for capturing the likeness and unique features of their subjects. Children will develop observational skills, learn about proportion, and begin to apply concrete shading techniques.

This hands-on practice will enhance their artistic abilities, foster confidence in future fine art projects that apply the same methods, and facilitate a deeper understanding and appreciation for the art of portraiture. All materials will be provided!

AUGUST 11, 12, 13

9:00 am - 12:00 pm

TUITION: $400

LOCATION: 10 Nassau St, Suite 23

Plaster casting has played a significant role throughout history, dating back to antiquity. It has been an essential medium for artistic education, architectural adornment, scientific examination, and the preservation of historical artifacts. 

During this workshop, students will explore historic and contemporary methods and materials and create their own personal masterpieces! After exploring the casting process, students will also have the opportunity to paint their sculptures. 

All materials will be provided!

SESSION 1: AUGUST 14 & 15

SESSION 2: AUGUST 21 & 22

9:00AM - 12:00PM

TUITION: $395

LOCATION: 10 Nassau St, Suite 23

Join us this summer for a three day portrait painting workshop with live models!

Students will learn to accurately portray the sitter with a balanced composition. They will learn to see value, color, and composition through concrete methods and techniques.

Materials: We ask that each student brings one set of Marie's Gouache paint (18 colors). This can be purchased on Amazon or at Jerry's Artarama, located on US Rt 1. All other materials will be provided.

AUGUST 18, 19, 20

9:00AM - 12:00PM

TUITION: $395

LOCATION: 10 Nassau St, Suite 23