Art: Summer at Penn | Ages 14-18

Click to Download the Brochure: Click to Download the Brochure
Click to Watch the Video: Click to Watch the Video

Click To Play

4-week program
Residential and day sessions
Campus life at the University of Pennsylvania
Choice of Saturday trips

Explore Art Summer Programs: Fine Arts at Penn

Each summer, the University of Pennsylvania School of Design offers an unparalleled art program for high school students. This pre-college art program prepares students for college admissions as you experience college life and create your portfolio. You'll love working in Penn's art studios as you create art and develop your artistic expression.

Art students choose one major course as well as two minors.

Major Courses:

Animation
Film/Video
Painting & Drawing
Photography
Sculpture & Model Casting

Minors in Weeks One & Two:

Ceramics

Graphic Design
Painting
Experimental Photography

Minors in Weeks Three & Four:

Ceramics & Model Making
Figure Drawing
Digital Photography
Sculpture
Web Design

Improve your portfolio and your artistic skills

Working with Penn faculty and other young artists from around the world, you will experiment with different artistic disciplines, learn new skills and build your visual portfolio. The curriculum is taken from undergraduate Penn courses and is sequenced and paced for the age and experience of the students. Classes are small to encourage close interaction between teachers and students. Plus, you will love working in Penn's art studios as you create art and develop your artistic expression.

The end of the session culminates with a final exhibition of all student work on the last Friday of the session.

Your choice of Weekend trips

Two trips are offered each Saturday. You choose one. You will leave after breakfast and return in the evening. Then, on Sundays experience Philadelphia! Please visit Weekend Trips and Destinations for this summer’s schedule.

Art Majors

Animation - The animation major focuses on the fundamentals of analogue and digital animation. Explore a variety of mediums as you learn the core principles of animation including hand-drawn, stop-motion, 2D and 3D animation. Projects are designed to enrich individual techniques while discovering the intricacies of collaboration. Students will have access Adobe AfterEffects, Photoshop, Flash, and Maya and learn how to use the programs on individual computer workstations. Upon completion of the course students take home a DVD of their completed animated work. The University of Pennsylvania animation graduates have worked on eight Oscar nominated animated films including A Bug’s Life, Toy Story I and II, and Monster House.
Film/Video - Learn digital filmmaking tools and processes from production planning to scriptwriting to storyboarding. Students will shoot and edit your film with assistance from full-time University of Pennsylvania instructors and practicing filmmakers. The course provides a balanced presentation of theory, technical skills, and practice, while developing a visual vocabulary, representation strategies and genres, and point of view. Students work in a Final Cut Pro digital video editing lab and use MacPro dual processor workstations, Sony VX2000, VX2100, HC7 video cameras, Lowell light kits, and Sennheiser microphones.
Painting/Drawing - The painting and drawing major focuses on an exploration of the techniques, materials and processes used in creating two-dimensional art. Working primarily from observation, students will study a wide range of concepts in order to reinforce their perceptive and descriptive painting and drawing skills. This studio class will include materials such as charcoal, graphite, pastels, ink and oil paint. Attention is paid to the development of the eye and the mind, as well as the hand. In addition to drawing landscapes and still-lifes, students may study the analytical and emotive approaches to depicting the human form. Note that the nude model is occasionally used in this class as is appropriate to the study of anatomy and structure and function.

Photography - This intensive 4-week course will survey an array of photographic processes starting with manual 35mm film SLR camera operations. We will thoroughly investigate the processes of B/W photography while moving on to larger film formats and digital hybrid solutions. Emphasis will be on expanding our technical knowledge and proficiency as well as finding an expressive voice. Field trips into the Philadelphia area will allow us to generate a variety of images to work with. The examination of both historic and contemporary photographs will supplement our visual explorations. The result of the term will consist of a portfolio of professionally crafted and presented photographs.
Sculpture & Model Casting - Discover your three-dimensional creative potential in the University of Pennsylvania’s state of the art wood, metal and CNC shops and ceramic studios. Sculpture students work with assemblage, additive and subtractive construction, modules, hand-building, slip-casting and wheel-throwing techniques, along with surface treatments such as paint, varnish, wax, varied embellishments, high fire glaze processes, china paints, and luster firing. In addition, slide lectures, field trips, critiques, and exhibitions will support student’s artistic experience.

Art Minors

Ceramics - Students will learn the necessary skills to create basic pottery forms on the potter’s wheel as well as various possibilities for surfaces treatments using slips, underglazes, oxides and glazes will be introduced. Students will craft vessels and sculptures. Stoneware, earthenware and porcelain clay bodies are available as is a comprehensive stock of glazes. The clay studios include two throwing rooms, one handbuilding room with a slab roller, extruder, Fordhams, worktables, and a kiln room with five electric and gas kilns and a glaze mixing area. In addition to the instructor, the University’s ceramics technician oversees all the chemistry and the kiln firings.
Ceramics & Model Making - Modeling and casting are fundamental methods of object making. Through experimenting with these methods, students will be introduced to materials, processes, visual concepts, and techniques for creating three-dimensional forms in space. In addition to exploring different water-based clays and plaster, students will examine other material such as paper pulp and cardboard.
Digital Photography - This minor course will offer a brief introduction to digital photography. Both “point & shoot” and digital manual SLR cameras will be covered starting with the relationship of traditional photographic practice to digital image making. We will be exploring several methods of both image in/output. Photoshop CS6 will be our primary program as we work toward making a small portfolio of both B/W and color digital prints. Field trips into the Philadelphia area will allow us to generate a variety of images to work with. The examination of both historic and contemporary photographs will supplement our visual explorations.
Experimental Photography - This minor course is about breaking the rules and discovering new process possibilities. We start with a survey of photographic processes starting with traditional photographic practice but rapidly move beyond this approach. Materials and process will lead this class as we experiment with new ways of approaching traditional craft. The examination of both historic and contemporary photographs will supplement our visual explorations.
Figure Drawing - Students enrolled in the figure drawing minor will learn to understand the human form, the most quintessential of forms in art history, by studying and working directly from the nude model. The focus is on articulation through an understanding of anatomical structure and function. Students will investigate a broad variety of drawing techniques and materials. The model will be used as the sole element in composition and as a contextualized element. Parental permission is needed for students to enroll in this class.
Graphic Design - The graphic design class introduces students to print media and visual communication. Students will discover the foundational concepts of composition, typography and image manipulation. Graphic Design projects include personal identity packages, CD covers/inserts, poster design, packaging design, zenes or book covers. Students will leave the course with a great start to digital portfolio.

Painting - The painting minor studio focuses on oil painting. Students work from direct observation of still lives, the figure, nature, and from the imagination. A basic knowledge of materials and a repertoire of techniques and methods will be offered. The small size of the class will enable individualization within the course with each student working at his or her level of painting experience. Students are able to enjoy open studio time after class and in the evenings.
Sculpture - Discover your three-dimensional creative potential in the University of Pennsylvania’s state of the art wood, metal and CNC shops and ceramic studios. Sculpture students work with assemblage, additive and subtractive construction, modules, hand-building, slip-casting and wheel-throwing techniques, along with surface treatments such as paint, varnish, wax, varied embellishments, high fire glaze processes, china paints, and luster firing. In addition, slide lectures, field trips, critiques, and exhibitions will support student’s artistic experience.
Web Design - The web design minor class offers an introduction to creating and designing websites. Web design faculty will teach students essential design and programming tools to create and build interactive websites using Dreamweaver, Flash, Photoshop and Illustrator.

University of Pennsylvania Faculty

Students enrolled in the high school Art program learn from world-renown faculty from Penn's School of Design. Classes are kept small to ensure you will receive personal attention from each faculty member.

Matt Courtney

B.S., The University of the Arts

 M.F.A., Kent State University

Ceramic Artist. Teaches ceramics. Taught at The University of the Arts, Tyler School of Art, Cleveland Institute of Art. Ohio Arts Council Artist Fellowship (1993); Jerome Foundation Emerging Artist Fellowship (1990). Solo exhibitions include Nexus Gallery, Philadelphia, PA (2000); Samuel S. Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA (1999); The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA (1996, 1987); In Collaboration Gallery, Akron, OH (1996); The Sculpture Center, Cleveland, OH (1994).

Deirdre Murphy

B.F.A., Kansas City Art Institute

M.F.A., University of Pennsylvania

Deirdre Murphy's work is represented by the Gross Mcleaf Gallery in Philadelphia. Her drawings and paintings have been exhibited at the Bridgette Mayer Gallery, Melanee Cooper Gallery, (Chicago), Vita Gallery, (Portland, OR). Group exhibitions include The Painting Center (NY), The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Abington Art Center, Phoenix Gallery, (NY); Bowery Gallery, (NY); Portland Institute of Contemporary Art; Tacoma Art Museum, Washington. She has received the Pennsylvania Council for the Arts grant and a Leeway Grant recipient. www.deirdremurphyart.com

Matt Neff

B.F.A., Indiana University B.A., Indiana University, Art History 

M.F.A., University of Pennsylvania

Mixed Media Artist and Printmaker. Manager; Common Press and Print Shop. Teaches Printmaking.

Selected Exhibitions: Meet Your Printmaker, Washington Printmakers Gallery, Washington, DC; Synthesesia, Painted Bride Art Center, Philadelphia, PA; New Books, Print Center, Philadelphia, PA; AIGA Awards Exhibition, Always By Design Gallery, Philadelphia, PA (2009). Perspectives, Icebox Project Space, Philadelphia, PA; Design Philadelphia, Rotunda, Philadelphia, PA; Art Crush, Curated by Jenny Jaskey, Philadelphia, PA; Sugar Craft, Kasia Kay Gallery, Chicago, IL; Live With It: Artist and collecting series, Photo West Gallery, Philadelphia, PA; Emerging to Established: 25 Years of the Center for Emerging Visual Arts, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Curated by Kate Ware, Philadelphia PA; In Praise of Apathy, Bebe R. Benoliel Gallery, Philadelphia, PA; Natural Selection, Maryland Art Place, Baltimore Maryland; Beyond Kiosk Ramp project, Curated by Christoph Keller, Institute of Contemporary Art, Philadelphia, PA (2008). 28 Degrees, Icebox Gallery, Philadelphia, PA; Naked Paper, Tower Gallery, Philadelphia, PA; Flicker, Tower Gallery, Philadelphia, PA; Mixed Media, Mixed Company: Conjunctions at the Common Press, Rare Books Library, UPenn; Folio 2007, University of Pennsylvania Print Shop Project Space, Philadelphia, PA; En Masse, Bebe Benoial Gallery, Philadelphia, PA; CFEVA New Work, The Galleries at Moore College, Philadelphia, PA; Sugar Buzz, Curated by Susan Hoeltzel, Lehman College, Bronx, NY (2007). Awards: Perkins Award for Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching at the University of Pennsylvania (2008). Center for Emerging Visual Artists Career Development Fellowship (2007). Larry Shpritz Award for Excellence in an Artistic Medium; U. of Pennsylvania (2005).

Ellen Reynolds

Ellen Reynolds is an independent video maker with specializations in documentary, childrens' media, and dance-film. Over a period of 25 years she has lead and implemented production initiatives at The University of Pennsylvania; taught production skills there and through the community oriented Scribe Video Center; and has supported countless numbers of individuals and groups in utilizing the tools and processes of digital media.  Her sustained goal has been the empowerment of individuals via engagement with media production and study. She communicates techniques and processes with exceptional clarity to learners at all levels of capacity and knowledge. In her role as an instructor she establishes curricula and workflows conducive to experimentation, expression, learning, purpose, and joy.  She is based in both Philadelphia and Florianopolis, Brasil.

Karen Rodewald

B.A., University of South Florida 

M.F.A., Tyler School of Art

Photographer. Teaches photography. Taught at University of the Arts; University of South Florida. Active member of Vox Populi Gallery. Solo exhibitions include Vox Populi Gallery, Philadelphia (2000, 1999, 1996, 1995); Moore College of Art & Design, photo gallery (1998); Samuel S. Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia (1995). Group exhibitions include The Print Center, Philadelphia (1999); Dean Daderko's Studio Apartment, Philadelphia (1998).

Please visit our student gallery.

2013 Dates & Tuition

Residential Dates: June 30 to July 27

Residential Tuition: $5,775

Includes tuition, housing, on-campus meals, course materials and equipment (excluding lock and 35mm camera). Application fee is $75. Three weekend stays is $600.