Newburgh Performing Arts Academy

Pee Wee Arts Ages 5-7

In this class young artists will have the opportunity to express and experiment with their big ideas and bold imaginations through projects that mix and mingle materials and artistic processes. Students will gain foundational visual art skills that support their physical, cognitive, and creative development. 

Art Exploration (2D)-Painting & Drawing - I Ages 8-12

Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of drawing and painting including line, shape, color, texture, and composition. Projects may include genres such as still life, landscape, portraiture, and abstract approaches. Individuality and personal creativity will be supported and encouraged.

Art Exploration (2D)-Painting & Drawing - II Ages 8-12

Experienced art students will expand upon their knowledge of drawing and painting fundamentals to include skills that include color theory, value, light, shade, and form. Personal voice and individual style will be cultivated through projects that expose students to significant artists both past and present as well as unique materials and processes. 

Sculpture/Mixed Media Ages 8-12

Young artists will have the opportunity to explore and investigate three dimensional approaches to art making with conventional and unconventional materials such as wire, fabric, nylon, wood, repurposed and found materials. Students will learn about contemporary sculpture through trips to local museums as well as gallery visits with Newburgh- based artists and makers. 

Digital Photography Ages 8-12

Students will be introduced to the world of photography through digital single-lens reflex cameras (DSLR) and their various manual uses. Classes will cover the history of photography, the evolution of the camera, and where we are today. Students will embark upon a variety of photo ‘adventures’ and will experiment with processes, printing, and presentation. 

Cartooning & Animation  Ages 11-18

Students will bring characters to life through traditional pencil and paper as well as digital approaches to cartooning and animation. Digital drawing tablets, lightboxes, and lessons in Adobe Creative Suite will enhance and expand upon students’ understanding of the animated world. 

Teen Drawing and Painting I Ages 11-18

Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of drawing and painting through projects and approaches that celebrate adolescent voices and their points of view. Lessons will include foundational basics in line, shape, color, texture and composition as students explore the local landscape and architecture, portraiture, figure drawing, and abstract approaches. Significant artists, both past and present, as well as art movements throughout history will also be incorporated. 

Teen Drawing and Painting - Advanced Ages 13-18

Experienced teen artists will embark upon independent projects with oversight from the instructor. Foundational skills will be incorporated with advanced approaches in painting that include color theory and application techniques and drawing skills that focus on light, shade, form, the human figure, and perspective. An emphasis will be placed on individual style and personal voice as they relate to the student’s overall body of work and expanding portfolio. 

Teen Sculpture/Mixed Media Ages 13-18

Teen artists, builders, and makers will enjoy the freedom of expression and choice that is built into the foundation of this class. Students will have the opportunity to work with numerous materials, both conventional and unconventional, as they create unique works and experiment with processes. Trips to local museums, gallery visits, and artist talks will give teens an inside view of the contemporary sculpture world, the local art scene, and what it means to be a creative entrepreneur.  

Clay and Ceramics Ages 8-18

Explore the world of hand-built ceramics through the creation of utilitarian objects like mugs, bowls, and platters, as well as representative and abstract sculptural pieces. Building techniques, surface treatment, and color application will be incorporated. 

Cartooning & Animation Ages 11-18

Students will bring characters to life through traditional pencil and paper as well as digital approaches to cartooning and animation. Digital drawing tablets, lightboxes, and lessons in Adobe Creative Suite will enhance and expand upon students’ understanding of the animated world.