Teen Arts NJ works with professional artists to deliver high quality Professional Development Workshops specializing in visual, literary and performing arts.
At the end of the workshop, each teacher will receive a certificate of completion.
If there is a particular workshop you have in mind, do not hesitate to reach out to us. We will work with you to tailor a Professional Development Workshop to meet the needs of your arts educators.
To learn more about our programs and pricing email us at: programs@teenartsnj.org or call (732) 566-2787.
Available Workshops
Visual Arts
- Visual Arts Workshops
- Art & Technology
- Practice/Theory/Pedagogy
- Sustainable Arts
- Textile & Fiber Art
- Traditional Art Processes
- Cross Curricular Education
Children’s Book Illustration
WITH DOREEN MULRYAN
In this engaging, hands-on workshop, educators will learn how to guide students through the creative process of illustrating a children’s story — from brainstorming characters and settings to designing expressive compositions that bring narratives to life. Using simple drawing prompts, storytelling exercises, and accessible materials, teachers will gain the tools and confidence to integrate storytelling and art in their classrooms. By the end, participants will leave with a step-by-step lesson plan and a sample illustrated story spread that will help them to inspire young artists and writers.
Crafting Competitive Portfolios: Best practices to Support Students in Art College Admissions
With Lonnie Woods III
In this interactive two-hour workshop, you’ll learn how to best support high school students as they navigate the competitive standards of art school admissions. We’ll explore what makes an outstanding portfolio, highlight common pitfalls, and share practical tips for teachers mentoring creative students. You’ll leave with strategies, resources, and insights to help your students showcase their artistic voice with confidence.
Dream and Build:Â Separate Parts Make a Whole
WITH JULIA MUENCH
This community building workshop provides educators with a pathway to teach about sustainable arts practices through fiber art and textile design, as they work together to create a Community Quilt.
While working with a simple geometric design to make a 10x10” block, using re-purposed cloth materials, Julia will demonstrate how individual blocks can be assembled together to be attached into a larger “Quilt "piece, using a simple hand basting technique, or ironing together using fusible webbing.
Participants will learn basic hands-on skills, including measuring and cutting fabric, hand sewing, and assembling simple geometric patterns to create a quilt block. Julia will discuss different types of fabric available, which are sustainable for the environment, and which are not, and how we can still use both types to the best of our ability.
Participants may bring any extra materials (sequins, beads, yarn, embroidery thread, etc.) that they wish to add into their unique individual "block' which will become part of a larger community “quilt”.
Elevate Papier Mache in the Classroom
MULTIPLE INSTRUCTORS AVAILABLE
Papier mâché is a versatile sculpting material that is budget friendly and easy to work with. Papier mâché is highly accessible for students of all ages and abilities in a K-12 arts program. In this workshop we will share various papier mâché recipes you can use in your classroom, crafting armatures for strength and stability in your designs, and making papier mâché sculpture easier to use in the classroom.
Introduction to Procreate
WITH DOREEN MULRYAN
Learn the basics of Procreate with professional illustrator and designer Doreen Mulryan as she shares her process in creating digital illustrations using this program.
Bring your iPad to this hands-on workshop as Doreen breaks down Procreate in a user-friendly way.
In this workshop, Doreen will introduce the basics of Procreate while also showing her process on how she makes digital illustrations with Procreate. There is always more than one way to do something and this is her personal process that she learned through trial and error that has worked for her. She will go over shortcuts to make the program more user-friendly and demonstrate how to bring drawings from a sketchbook into the program to digitize.
Printmaking Without a Press
MULTIPLE INSTRUCTORS AVAILABLE
We have an array of hands-on printmaking workshops available, including Collagraph Printmaking, Kitchen Litho and Drypoint Etching.
These alternative printmaking workshops provide teachers an opportunity to learn printing processes that do not require a press, and are cost effective, while using non-toxic materials that are safe to use with their students.
Learn More About Each Process:
Collagraph:Â a printmaking process in which materials like cardboard or textured paper are glued or sealed to a rigid substrate (such as paperboard or wood) to create a plate.
Kitchen Litho: an alternative lithography process that is chemical free and non-toxic, using common household items that can be found in the kitchen, including tin foil and soda.
Drypoint: an intaglio printmaking technique in which an image is scratched into a metal or plastic plate. The scratches produce a “burr”: a raised portion of metal or plastic that catch and hold ink while the smooth portions of the plate can be wiped clean. (This class will used recycled plastic materials for the printing plates. Prior printmaking experience recommended to attend this workshop).
Upcycle Your Old Jeans
With Lisa Flannery
Join professional fashion designer, Lisa Flannery in this hands-on workshop, as she guides you through this creative upcycling workshop. She will share tips and tricks to redesign your old garments and give it new life, while promoting the sustainability of slow fashion through hand sewing and embellishment.
Bring an old pair of jeans (or pants), with you to this workshop, and come out with a "New to You" one-of-a-kind garment!
Using AI Responsibly in the Visual Arts Classroom
Multiple Instructors Available
Learn how to embrace AI and use it responsibly while discovering how it is changing the way our students create. Participants will learn how AI can enhance creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking skills. Discuss the potential benefits, challenges, and ethical considerations of incorporating AI technology into your art classroom.
This session will cover AI-generated imagery & animation, prompt writing, the fusion of AI with traditional art, and the ethics of AI in the creative process.
We will also address the misuse of AI art, including copyright concerns, plagiarism, and the importance of originality.
Whether you're new to AI or looking to refine your approach, this workshop will provide valuable insights to elevate your curriculum while ensuring responsible and ethical AI use.