The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards’ national office in New York City partners with organizations across the country to bring the Scholastic Awards to local communities. Our partners are doing great work in their communities, and we love hearing about their outreach efforts, their students, and their programs. This month, we shine the spotlight on Ashcan Studio of Art, one of our Region-at-Large partners. Here’s what Ashcan had to say about their organization:

Ashcan Studio of Art was established in New York City in 2006 by artist Sun Young Kim. Mr. Kim began teaching at several different portfolio prep art studios, and found that none of them were structured in a way where the students were reaching their highest potential, or making the truly outstanding portfolios he knew they could. That’s when he decided to branch off on his own and opened Ashcan Studio.

Mr. Kim named the studio after a small group of renegade artists who, at the turn of the twentieth century, were the original rebels, the Ashcan Artists. He modeled Ashcan Studio of Art to follow their example in spirit, breaking the mold and forging new directions for the next generation of artists. He knew that if young artists and designers pushed themselves to question what was conventional in art, and found their own unique vision the way the Ashcan Artists did, that their lives would change profoundly, that their educational goals would elevate, and great success in art and design would become attainable. Ashcan students, present and former, have proven that to be true with hundreds of prestigious art awards (like the Scholastic Awards) and acceptances into the art schools of their dreams with scholarships.

Ashcan student making a self-portrait in Painting Class.

Ashcan student with her sock installation/painting (with detail).

Ashcan student with her big spoon made of smaller spoons sculpture for art school admissions art portfolio.

Detail of big spoon made of spoons sculpture.

Ashcan student with her still life drawing/painting at the Annual Student Art Show.

Ashcan student with his reflective triangle installation, where he created a space of self-reflection, an interactive installation that allows onlookers to view themselves in different ways.

Ashcan Studio students have received Scholastic Art Awards consistently every year since 2006. In part due to their successes, in 2015 Ashcan Studio was asked by the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards to become a Region-at-Large partner, hosting the judging of thousands of Scholastic Awards submissions in all art categories. That year, and each year since, Ashcan Studio Director Hayley Palmatier has been appointed to oversee the adjudication of the country’s most talented young artists and designers, and to choose judges from leading arts institutions and Ashcan community partners, such as the School of Visual Arts, the Joan Mitchell Foundation, and the Dedalus Foundation. Of the experience, Ms. Palmatier said, “I was grateful and honored to work together with the staff at Scholastic Awards and with the judges whose time, enthusiasm, and expertise were invaluable in recognizing the talent of these young artists.”

Ashcan Studio also worked in partnership with the Scholastic Awards Summer Scholarships program (SAS Scholarships). SAS Scholarships recipients are granted a full scholarship to attend a top local arts programs, camps, or pre-college programs. Ashcan Studio welcomed SAS Scholarships students into their Summer Portfolio Preparation Program during the summer of 2013 and 2014. Additionally, in 2015 Ms. Palmatier created the video workshop, Art Portfolio Intensive, where she gave art portfolio tips and ideas for submission to the Scholastic Art Awards and BFA programs. Ms. Palmatier also hosted a Portfolio Preparation workshop during the summer of 2016 in partnership with the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards and the NAACP.

Ashcan student wins “Best in Show Award” for her mixed media drawing at the Annual Student Exhibition.

Ashcan student with mixed-media light mask.

Ashcan student with his light sculpture.

Ashcan student with her moth installation at the annual student exhibition at Gallery Madison Park

Ashcan Studio admits local students, and students from all parts of the world, who have the goal of applying to a program where an art portfolio is required for admissions, such as an arts high school, or a Bachelors or Masters program. Some students start with little or no access to art courses in school, or range from beginners who decided to change paths to pursue an art or design major, to advanced students with a lot of skill and imagination and students ready to apply for a Masters degree. Each comes to Ashcan’s diverse creative space, to work together with the Artist-Teacher Instructors to find their individual talent and what they are best at, ultimately finding themselves in the right direction.

Visual Arts Portfolio Preparation classes are each day, year round, Monday through Saturday from 11:00 am–3:00 pm and 4:00–8:00 pm for ages 11 and up. We have classes in Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, Graphic Design, Fashion Design, Art Contest Prep, and more. Especially popular is our Summer Portfolio Prep Program. Please ask us anything! Contact us at info@ashcanart.com or call 212-967-8101. Learn more at ashcanstudio.com and follow us at @ashcanstudio.

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards are proud to work with organizations like Ashcan Studio of Art to help talented students receive recognition for their creative efforts. By partnering together, Ashcan and the Scholastic Awards give our youth the support they need to become lasting members of their art and writing communities.