SERVICES
Art Portfolio Support & Private Lessons:
I offer art lessons, workshops, and professional support for youth, families, and adults that are interested in arts enrichment, improving their drawing and painting abilities, and portfolio support/reviews for arts specialized high school and college applications. Lessons and reviews are held at my studio in Brooklyn, NY. I’m also available for home visits within the NYC-metro area and remotely via Zoom.
Current offerings below:
Portfolio Review & Support / College Applications
This service is designed for high school students and families in need of professional support with preparing their art portfolio for college applications. To get into premier art school programs, you need a portfolio that showcases your technical chops, passion for art making, and your unique artistic voice. As a professional artist, educator, and portfolio reviewer for RISD’s admissions team, I know the strategic ingredients that make for a stand-out application portfolio.
I offer guidance with determining which artworks to include, identifying and addressing any gaps in the portfolio, expert and constructive feedback, and project suggestions—all in the interest of preparing a strong and competitive application that students are confident in and excited to submit. Reviews take place at my studio, in your home (NYC-metro area only), or remotely via Zoom.
• Portfolio reviews are one-hour in length
• I recommend booking 2 reviews separated by a few weeks
I use a sliding scale rate model.
For more info, availability, and scheduling, email joseph.hart.studio@gmail.com
Portfolio Review & Support / High School Applications (NYC)This service is designed for middle school students interested in building and strengthening their art portfolios for NYC’s specialized arts high school application requirements. You can find a list of NYC’s visual arts high schools and prep resources under the Visual Arts tab HERE. I offer portfolio support and private lessons that help students meet DOE application requirements while strengthening their technial skills, creative thinking, and artistic confidence.
• Single two-hour lesson and review
• Block of 4 two-hour lessons
• Block of 8 two-hour lessons
I use a sliding scale rate model.
For more info, availability, and scheduling, email joseph.hart.studio@gmail.com
Drawing & Painting Lessons
For youth and adults at all ability levels. The benefits of private art lessons include flexible scheduling, one-on-one focus and a personalized curriculum—all in a supportive and non-judgmental environment. Each lesson includes warm-up exercises, technique and material demonstrations, and customized projects. Students will use different materials like graphite pencils, ink, acrylic paint, brushes, paper, and canvas board. Each lesson is 2 hours long. All materials included.
• Single two-hour lesson
• Block of 4 two-hour lessons
• Block of 8 two-hour lessons
I use a sliding scale rate model.
For more info, availability, and scheduling, email joseph.hart.studio@gmail.com
Bio:
I’m a professional artist and educator with over 25 years of experience working within NYC’s arts community. I began my career as an illustrator making illustrations for the New York Times, Hewlitt Packard, and Herman Miller among other clients. I also worked in Nickelodeon Magazine’s Art Department for nearly 10 years. Over time, my professional goals evolved towards fine art and teaching. I currently make drawings and paintings that have been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world. I work out of a beautiful studio space in Brooklyn, New York.
As an educator, I teach studio classes and workshops in drawing, painting, and illustration. I’ve worked as an instructor at Rhode Island School of Design, Penland School of Craft, and City College of New York. I’ve served as a juror for the Scholastic Art Awards and as portfolio reviewer on behalf of RISD’s admissions department. I’m a parent volunteer at LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and coordinate their Visiting Artist Program. I also produce an arts-focused podcast called Deep Color that features accomplished artists talking about their work, ideas, and lives. Lastly, I’m a parent of two incredible children--I’m very familiar with what it’s like to raise and educate kids in 2026.
My teaching philosophy centers itself on the belief that art can be transformative in a person’s life, and that a central characteristic of art-making is the self-discovery and learning that occurs through artistic expression. Making art allows us to tap into our creative impulses, helps us to decompress, and encourages us to stretch and play with ideas. It can complement academic subjects, build confidence, and offer a healthy balance to the more challenging aspects of life. I take time to understand each student’s lived experience and ability level, then create personalized approaches that helps students strengthen their foundational skill set, deepens their creative thinking, and meets their artistic goals.