2026 Summer Atelier Intensive

Gateway Student copying a Bargue Plate
Gateway Student working on sculpture
 
 

GACA’s four-week Summer Atelier Intensive (June 1 - 26) invites a small, select group of serious high school students into the daily life of a working classical studio. Students spend three full days each week immersed in drawing from casts, studying the figure from life, and building foundational painting skills within a focused, mentored environment. The program is intentionally small and rigorous, offering students the opportunity to explore necessary to build a career as a working artist within an environment of sustained atelier training.

Important Dates

  • Application Deadline: April 15

  • Accepted Students Notified: May 1

  • Class Block: June 1 – 26

Important Information

  • While tuition has generously been covered, students are responsible for providing their own materials.

  • If students are accepted and cannot provide their own materials due to financial hardship, students will be eligible to receive a small materials scholarship.

  • Accepted students will be expected to attend all or nearly all sessions.

  • This program is designed to help students explore whether sustained atelier study is a good fit for them. Participation does not guarantee continued enrollment at Gateway Atelier.

Interested students should complete the application link below. Please direct any questions to B. J. Parker: bjparkerfineart@gmail.com.

Curriculum for Program

Week 1: Learning to See

  • Morning

    • Block-in’s

    • Bargue Plate(s)

  • Afternoon

    • Figure Block in’s

  • Optional homework:

      • Block-ins

      • Value scales and spheres

Week 2: Creating Structure

  • Morning

    • Cast drawing(s)

      • Block-in

      • Value study and structure

      • Rendering form

      • Edges

      • Planes

  • Afternoon

    • Figure Block-ins, 2 days

  • Wednesday afternoon

    • Sculpture Intro

      • Sculpt the basic form of individual casts

  • Optional homework

    • Figure block-ins

Week 3: Figure

  • Morning

    • Cast painting

      • All of cast drawing

      • Basics of oil paint

        • Materials

        • Process

  • Afternoon

    • One week Figure pose

Week 4: Portfolio Pieces

  • Morning

    • Still life painting

      • All of cast painting

      • Basics of color

  • Afternoon

    • One week figure drawing

    • Photograph

    • Invite only reception for students and parents

    • Family conferences