What Parents are Saying About Portfolio Class

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My daughter, Camille, attended The Portfolio Class from September last year through the Spring. Camille was accepted To Booker T. … but I can honestly say that even if she had not been accepted The Portfolio Class was well worth the time she invested and the tuition we invested. Her skill level greatly improved through the year … even better, her confidence in her skill improved as well. The firm, yet nurturing hand that Barley provides her students in my opinion is priceless. Camille continued at Studio Arts through the Summer to help her with assignments for Booker T. and she has continued to blossom under their tutelage. I give Studio Arts my highest recommendation … and, in fact, I have recommended it to a neighbor’s senior son who needs to prepare his portfolio for college.

Susan

I have to say that I found the Studio Arts portfolio class to be worth every penny! And I don't believe James would have had such a good portfolio without the class. Booker T. want to see a variety of media represented in a student's portfolio. My son prefers certain media over others as well as certain subject matter. Barley does a good job of allowing the student to produce work in the areas in which they feel at home, as well as stretching them and encouraging them to try other techniques, materials, and subjects. My son had the variety he needed for a good portfolio.

Yes, they do have to work quite hard. They produce work that doesn't end up in the portfolio and through discussion sessions with students and instructors together the students get used to casting a positive critical eye over their own work and the work of others. My son is a rather shy introvert but found these sessions non-threatening and grew to like the feedback and the insights he gained from that feedback. He kept up with homework for the most part because he wanted to do it. I don't think he missed a single class either; he always wanted to go and looked forward to seeing everyone. He put in a lot of effort on some pieces that took days to complete over the Christmas break. We even photographed a piece in progress and emailed it to Barley and she gave James feedback that way as the studio was closed.

As well as good preparation for the portfolio, Studio Arts does a good job of preparing the student for the interview, which is rather gruelling. It lasted 3 1/2 hours and the students had to show proficiency in various areas. James did just fine and I think he felt okay because he was well-prepared. He didn't have to deal with any surprises and just worked confidently through the various stages of the interview.

The level of instruction is very high. My sister is a painter and teaches art at the university level as well as conducting art workshops in both England and France. Her experience is very wide in the practice and teaching of fine art. She kept a close eye on James's progress in the portfolio class and talked to him about his assignments. She was rather impressed with what he was being taught and with the way he grew as an artist last year.

I would also like to add that as a mother of teenagers, as well as a teacher of teenagers, I was particularly impressed with Barley's ability to create a rapport with these young people. The middle school years are not easy for kids or the adults that have to relate to them, but I think Barley has a gift in this area. Your son or daughter would be in excellent hands.

Jennifer