Portfolio Preparation for Art School (High School/College)

Portfolio Class, Part 1

Mid-March-May

Starting every Spring semester and continuing twice a week until summer, we offer the Portfolio Class, Part 1. The first part of this class helps us determine if charting a course for Booker T. is a wise investment for your family. Students learn classical basics in many mediums. They begin to work on assignments at home after working on techniques in class. Making better art means learning to make lots of art. Like practicing scales in music, making art must also occur at home in order to meet portfolio application requirements at Booker T.  Another marker for continuing in Part 2:  We highly advise making this first class series a priority to achieve your teen’s goal to attend Booker T. As the course work does require a full year of study. Don’t miss this important pre-requisite to The Portfolio Class, Part 2. We accept students 7th grade to 9th grade in this class.

The Portfolio Class, Part 2

June – February

The Portfolio Class (part 2) Begins in early June and continues through late January or early February. The Portfolio Class, Part 2 offers a completely unique opportunity to young artists who wish to audition for admission to Booker T Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts.  Over the past 30 years, we have coached more than 700 students who landed one of the few coveted spots in the visual arts conservatory at Dallas’ prestigious Arts Magnet. If a student does well at Booker, they will find many opportunities for scholarship to the great art colleges and universities in this country and abroad.

We have come to understand The Portfolio Class as one of the most important offerings in our teaching practice. This class provides a private tutorial experience in a classroom setting. Please understand that this class is only for the art student who is serious about building an audition-ready portfolio for BTWHSVPA. Our student placement success rate is fantastic, and for these 30 years we are the only prep class recommended by most of the art teachers at Booker.

The numbers: At Booker  – 1/4 to 1/2 half the freshman class spaces are filled each year with Studio Arts Portfolio Class graduates. Close to 100% of in-district freshmen that complete our coursework/homework have portfolios polished enough to enter Booker’s freshman class, and the skills to ace audition. It isn’t easy to become one of the sixty or so visual arts conservatory freshmen accepted.

We prepare students on many levels. We teach them to draw correctly from life. We get them ready for the rigorous audition. Our assignments encourage learning in a variety of mediums that produce a well rounded portfolio. Our students develop confidence in their own visual language which allows them to excel as artists as they mature.

To request detailed information on this class and to get on the list for the introductory parent orientation meeting, please contact Barley Vogel, Portfolio Class lead instructor at studioartsregistrar@gmail.com. For testimonials, click here.

If you are not able to attend Portfolio Class Part 1, please set up an interview with us to join Portfolio Class Part 2.

Please note: If you miss a good part of the Summer during The Portfolio Class or join us late, expect to make up this missed time with private lessons.

For a sampling of student work please visit our Instagram hashtag, #satheportfolioclass

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Post-Portfolio Class

February – May

So, you just auditioned for Booker, and miss everyone! Post-Portfolio Class is for any student  who completed The Portfolio Class with us, accepted to Booker. It is a fun way to continue to enjoy studio time with friends and meet new ones! Starts in February or Early March.

The Homework Class

Year Round

The Homework Class is open to any student attending or about to attend Booker who needs studio time and an educated eye and support and to successfully compete art homework assignments. We provide guidance, love, and lots of helpful critique (as usual), accountability, and an assortment of future/current classmates.

Art School Portfolio Prep for the College Bound Student

Portfolio Preparation for College/High School

This class is for artists who desire guidance and dedicated studio time to prepare a portfolio for art school – be it graduate work or undergrad. Consider us your coach. Everyone needs an exceptional eye, expert critique and an encouraging place to meet deadlines to keep on track as you make work for your college admission portfolio.  Expect one-on-one assistance with building and curating art portfolios. We help keep track of the specifications of each school – what they look for in terms of subject matter, medium, observation vs non-observation work. We help you prepare for and apply to the art schools of your dreams with confidence!  Please bring current portfolio and any specifics or guidelines provided by your college for entry.  We also offer classes in clay and drawing from observation that will easily support portfolio growth, so sign up for one or as many time slots as you need, and our whole team will connect to helping you meet your goals!