Portfolio Series

Pre-Portfolio Class

February-May

Starting every Spring semester and continuing twice a week until summer in June when The Portfolio Class begins. This class helps us all determine if charting a course for Booker T. is a wise investment for your family. Students learn to make art-on-demand and to finish assignments on a deadline – just like in high school. Learning to work on assignments at home after working on techniques in class becomes a primary focus. Another marker we introduce and consider is receiving instruction and participating in critique. We highly advise making this class a priority to achieve your teen’s goal to attend Booker T. Don’t miss this important pre-requisite to The Portfolio Class. We accept students 7th grade to 9th grade in this class.

The Portfolio Class

June – February

Begins in early June and continues through late January or early February. The Portfolio Class offers a completely unique opportunity to young artists who wish to audition for admission to Booker T.  Over the past 25 years, we have coached more than 400 students who landed one of the few coveted spots in the visual arts cluster at the prestigious Dallas arts magnet. If a student does well at Booker T., 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. Our student placement success rate is fantastic, and for 25 years we are the only prep class recommended by Booker T.

The numbers: At Booker T. almost 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 have portfolios polished enough to enter the freshman class. It isn’t easy to become one of the forty five or so visual arts cluster freshmen accepted.

We prepare students on many levels. We teach them to draw correctly. We get them ready for the rigorous audition. 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 meeting, please contact Barley Vogel, Portfolio Class lead instructor at [email protected] For testimonials, click here.

If you are not able to attend Pre-Portfolio Class, please set up an interview with us to join Portfolio Class.

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, #theportfolioclass

Post-Portfolio Class

February – May

Post-Portfolio Class is for students who complete Portfolio Class. It is a fun way to continue to enjoy studio time with friends! Starts in February each year.

The Homework Class

Year Round

The Homework Class is open to any student attending or about to attend Booker T. who needs studio time and support completing assignments. We provide guidance, love, an assortment of future/current classmates and critique.

College Portfolio Prep

Year Round

This class is for college-bound or gallery-bound artists who desire guidance and dedicated studio time. If you need an exceptional eye and expert critique to support your art process, while making work for your college admissions portfolio, you can find it here.  Please bring current portfolio and any specifics or guidelines provided by your college for entry. Private lessons and private critiques also available for extra support or if your schedule doesn’t allow for the class.