WORKSHOPS
Private Lessons & Portfolio Support (NYC metro-area):
I offer private 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 via Zoom outside of NYC. Click HERE for my teaching bio.
Current offerings below:
Drawing & Painting Lessons
For youth and adults at all experience 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, presentations, 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. I use a sliding scale rate model.
• Single two-hour lesson
• Block of 4 two-hour lessons
• Block of 8 two-hour lessons
For more info, availability, and scheduling, email joseph.hart.studio@gmail.com
Portfolio Support & Review / 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. I offer guidance with determining which artworks to include, identifying and addressing any gaps in the portfolio, and project suggestions—all in the interest of preparing a strong and competitive application that students feel confident about. Reviews take place at my studio, at your home, or remotely via Zoom. Individual reviews are typically 1 hour long. I’m also available to assist with artwork documentation and file formating for application uploads. I use a sliding scale rate model.
For more info, availability, and scheduling, email joseph.hart.studio@gmail.com
Portfolio Support & Review / 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 specialized visual arts high schools and prep resources under the Visual Arts tab HERE. I offer portfolio support and private lessons that help students meet application requirements. I use a sliding scale rate model.
• Single two-hour lesson
• Block of 4 two-hour lessons
• Block of 8 two-hour lessons
For more info, availability, and scheduling, email joseph.hart.studio@gmail.com
Fall 2025 Portfolio Workshop for Middle School Students at Lookout Studio
Location: 548 Bergen St, #2, Brooklyn, NY
This workshop is designed for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students interested in developing and strengthening their art portfolios for NYC’s specialized arts high school applications. Students will use a range of materials including graphite pencils, ink, collage, and paint on paper to make figure drawings, still-life drawings, self-portraits, and illustration-based drawings like a “Fantastical Sandwich”. All materials and artwork documentation included. Limited to 8 students.
• Saturday Workshop: Sept 13, 20, 27, October 4, 11, 18, November 1, 8, 15, 22, December 6
10am - 12pm, $840. REGISTER HERE - 3 SPOTS STILL AVAILABLE
• Tuesday Workshop: September 16, 23, 30, October 7, 14, 21, 28, November 4, 11, 18, 25
4 - 6pm, $840. REGISTRATION CLOSED
For more info, visit Lookout Studio
Teaching 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 education. 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 a
portfolio reviewer on behalf of RISD’s admissions department. I’m a parent volunteer at
LaGuardia High School and manage their Visiting Artist Program, and help coordinate their in-house college fairs and portfolio reviews. I also produce an arts-focused podcast called Deep Color that features accomplished artists talking about their work, process, 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 NYC.
My teaching philosophy centers itself on the belief that art can be transformative in a
person’s life, and that an important characteristic of art is the self-discovery and learning that occurs through artistic expression. Making art allows us to tap into our creative impulses, nudges us to decompress, and encourages us to stretch and play with ideas. It can complement academic subjects and offer a healthy balance to screen-based activities. 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.