The Visual Arts Center of New Jersey’s Studio School, located in Summit, NJ, offers classes and workshops for artists of all ages and skill levels. Taught by experienced teaching artists, our programs span painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, photography, and more—providing a supportive environment for learning, exploration, and creative growth.

WINTER SEMESTER 2027

Kid Drawing & Painting Classes

8992 Anime/Manga & Comic Drawing (ages 11–16)
Instructor: Doug Baron
Mondays, 6 – 8 PM
Create characters! Explore comic book and Japanese/Chinese–style drawing, from dynamic perspectives to classic anime/manga facial features.
10 session(s): 1/4 – 3/8
Tuition: member $357, non-member $387
Materials fee: $52

9163 NEW! First Splatters and Sketches (ages 5–7)
Instructor: Jodelle Reed-Devaney
Mondays, 6:30 – 7:30 PM
This is a playful class where students have permission to make a mess before they make something. Students will experiment with splatter painting, doodling, continuous-line drawing, pointillism, and sketching on everyday surfaces such as newspaper and book pages. All of this will serve as the foundation to their own interpretations. The class encourages curiosity and imagination while offering a refreshing break from technology (no undo button!) and transforming happy accidents into intentional works of art.
10 session(s): 1/4 – 3/8
Tuition: member $257, non-member $287
Materials fee: $42

9011 Draw Your Art Out! (ages 7–9)
Instructor: Alicia Cotter
Tuesdays, 4 – 5:30 PM
Dive into drawing in this fun and dynamic class! Explore new drawing techniques in a variety of black-and-white and color media such as pencil, charcoal, and pastel. Learn core principles like how to use light and shadow to make your drawings pop, proportions, blending colors, and more. All materials included. New projects each session.
10 session(s): 1/5 – 3/9
Tuition: member $335, non-member $365
Materials fee: $47

9012 Watercolor Wonders (ages 9–12)
Instructor: Dawn Noonan
Tuesdays, 4 – 5:30 PM
Experiment with water and paint in this class! Students will dive into the joys of watercolor through quick practices and more prolonged studies over several sessions. The nature of the medium makes it easy to work on several projects at once since no one likes to watch paint dry! The quick practice pieces will be worked on both sides of the paper, and then these will be bound into small, colorful journals. The larger projects will be worked on over multiple weeks, gradually developing them through layering of different types of watercolors, including liquid, pencil, tube, and gouache.
10 session(s): 1/5 – 3/9
Tuition: member $335, non-member $365
Materials fee: $47

9033 Inspired by the Masters (ages 5–6)
Instructor: Alicia Cotter
Wednesdays, 4 – 5:30 PM
Each week, students will learn about an artist from history and step into their shoes to create different kinds of artwork. From drawing to painting, the instructor will introduce the following artists based on their unique art style, such as Kusama dots, Rousseau animals, Warhol flowers, Matisse shapes, and more! All materials included. New projects each session.
10 session(s): 1/6 – 3/10
Tuition: member $335, non-member $365
Materials fee: $47

9063 Imagination Illustrations (ages 9–12)
Instructor: Daniel Velez
Wednesdays, 4 – 5:30 PM
In this class, students will reimagine classic stories and bring them to life through their own unique artistic lens. Each week, they will explore essential drawing and illustration techniques such as character design, perspective, inking, and color theory while putting a creative twist on familiar tales like Humpty Dumpty, Little Red Riding Hood, and other timeless works from literature. By combining technical skill building with imaginative storytelling, students will transform these traditional narratives into fresh, original artworks.
10 session(s): 1/6 – 3/10
Tuition: member $335, non-member $365
Materials fee: $47

9032 Introduction to Drawing & Painting (ages 6–9)
Instructor: Katie Truk
Wednesdays, 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Is your child fascinated by drawing and painting? We teach the fundamentals of composition and perspective through still lifes and photographic sources, while broadening techniques and creativity. Explore color, shading, texture, and, most importantly, imagination! Repeat students are welcome.
10 session(s): 1/6 – 3/10
Tuition: member $257, non-member $287
Materials fee: $42

9072 Fantasy Genre Drawing (ages 9–16)
Instructor: Doug Baron
Wednesdays, 6 – 8 PM
Are you a fan of fantasy fiction, films, and anime? Join Doug Baron on a fantastic journey with popular characters from Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, Fullmetal Alchemist, and more. Learn how to draw fantasy classics such as dragons, unicorns, and other mythical creatures. Students will work in a variety of media such as acrylic paint, India ink, charcoal, and pastel.
10 session(s): 1/6 – 3/10
Tuition: member $357, non-member $387
Materials fee: $52

9056 Paint Your Art Out! (ages 7–9)
Instructor: Alicia Cotter
Thursdays, 4 – 5:30 PM
Dive into painting in this fun and dynamic class! Explore new techniques and subject matter in both acrylic and watercolor paints. Learn about the color wheel, light and shadow, blending colors, and more!
10 session(s): 1/7 – 3/11
Tuition: member $335, non-member $365
Materials fee: $47

9084 NEW! Charcoal 101 for Portraits (ages 10–12)
Instructor: Stan Kim
Thursdays, 4 – 5:30 PM
In this class, students will use the oldest drawing tools to create portraits! Charcoal has the ability to create rich black markings from lines to blending tones in order to bring a drawing to life. Students will learn a variety of techniques and use different materials such has compressed charcoal, pencils, blending stumps, and more to capture their portrait. The instructor will provide demonstrations and feedback to students during class.
10 session(s): 1/7 – 3/11
Tuition: member $335, non-member $365
Materials fee: $47

9092 Comics, Cartoons & Anime Drawing (ages 9–16)
Instructor: Doug Baron
Fridays, 4 – 5:30 PM
Calling all comics, cartoons, and anime lovers! Explore drawing popular characters and work on simple and effective techniques for creating your own character concepts. Master a unique style of creating cartoon, anime, and comic art—and have fun!
10 session(s): 1/8 – 3/12
Tuition: member $335, non-member $365
Materials fee: $47

9099 Drawing & Painting (ages 9–13)
Instructor: Dawn Noonan
Saturdays, 10 – 11:30 AM
Raise the bar and reach the next level! Refine drawing and painting skills using charcoal, pastel, paint, and more through demonstrations, discussions, and individual attention. Explore the fundamentals of drawing and painting combined with imagination.
10 session(s): 1/9 – 3/13
Tuition: member $335, non-member $365
Materials fee: $47

9097 Cartoons & Anime Drawing (ages 7–10)
Instructor: Doug Baron
Saturdays, 10 – 11:30 AM
Are you a cartoon/anime/manga lover? Create characters! Explore comic book and manga–style drawing from dynamic perspectives to classic anime/manga facial features. We draw popular characters and work on simple and effective techniques for drawing and creating concepts. Master a unique style of creating cartoon, anime, and comic art—and have fun!
10 session(s): 1/9 – 3/13
Tuition: member $335, non-member $365
Materials fee: $47

9098 Drawing Beyond Stick Figures (ages 7–10)
Instructor: Heidi SanFilippo
Saturdays, 10 – 11:30 AM
This class is made for students who would like to enhance their drawing skills beyond stick figures. The focus will be to ignite creativity, improve art techniques, and instill confidence. Students will have the opportunity to express themselves artistically and experiment with different styles. Each class will consist of a mix of instructional lessons, collaborative exercises, and individual practice to ensure a well–rounded learning experience.
7 session(s): 1/9 – 3/6 (no class on 2/13, 2/20)
Tuition: member $237, non-member $257
Materials fee: $34

9101 Draw, Paint & Create! (ages 6–9)
Instructor: Vanessa Lopez
Saturdays, 12 – 1:30 PM
If your child loves to draw and paint, this class is the perfect creative outlet! Throughout the course, students will create a variety of artworks while exploring different techniques and styles. Each week, in addition to a main project, students will work in their own sketchbook to build skills, practice ideas, and develop their creativity. They’ll experiment with a wide range of materials, including pencil, acrylic paint, watercolor, ink, clay, and more. This class encourages imagination, confidence, and a love of making art—no experience needed!
10 session(s): 1/9 – 3/13
Tuition: member $335, non-member $365
Materials fee: $47

9104 NEW! Character Creators (ages 8–12)
Instructor: Destiny Jure
Saturdays, 12 – 1:30 PM
Do you love drawing your favorite characters? Then this class is made for you! Students will learn how to draw a new character each week based on their interests. Characters can come from TV shows, movies, cartoons, anime, video games, and more! Each class will focus on a different character while learning simple drawing skills such as faces, expressions, poses, hair, clothing, and more. Students can share their favorite characters and ideas while having fun drawing and improving their art skills.
10 session(s): 1/9 – 3/13
Tuition: member $335, non-member $365
Materials fee: $47

9106 NEW! Sketchbook Explorers (ages 6–10)
Instructor: Vanessa Lopez
Saturdays, 2 – 3:30 PM
Join us for a relaxing and fun class where students will explore different media and create unique sketchbook pages each week! Students will experiment with watercolor, pen & ink, markers, and pencils, combining guided drawings with opportunities to create pages in their own personal style. Each class encourages creativity, self-expression, and artistic exploration in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
5 session(s): 1/9 – 2/6
Tuition: member $180, non-member $200
Materials fee: $32