studioELL offers a small number of scholarships and work-study opportunities to help provide access to our courses. If you are interested in either, please complete our application — we encourage you to apply early as availability is limited.
PAINTING AND ABSTRACTION
June 6, 13, 27, July 11, 18, 25, 2026
Saturdays, 1:00–2:30PM ET
6 Sessions — Online / $235
LOCATION: Zoom
Professor Armando Olivera
This course develops an understanding of and relationship with abstraction through painting. It challenges conventional western narratives around abstraction and invites us to examine how historical frameworks shape our visual language and our place within it.
Responsiveness, interpretation and collaboration are at the forefront — both in dialogue with one another and with materials themselves. Through a sustained practice of questioning, rupture and reimagining, we work to reconceptualize historical narratives and build toward a communal visual expression.
The course weaves together cross-disciplinary readings, conversation and critique, drawing on multiple perspectives to breach the boundaries of what we think we know — and open space for something new.
This course welcomes painters at all stages — from those just beginning to those ready to push their practice into new territory. No prior experience with abstraction required.
All sessions are held synchronously over Zoom.
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THE ART BOOK — MEMORY, BELONGING AND TRANSFORMATION
June 16, June 30, July 14, July 28, 2026
Tuesdays, 6:00–7:30PM ET
4 Sessions — Online / $175
LOCATION: Zoom
Professor Carli Toliver and Professor Merritt Wuchina
What words, images, shapes or colors might emerge from private notes, poems or mental wanderings if given full permission? What words want to be eaten, devoured and savored? What if writing became assemblage, experiment, collage — an experiment in experience? What if words looked like painting, carving or weaving? What if drawing and collage took the shape of the land itself?
Breaking taboos in this way brings an influx of information to the writer’s craft-bench — but it can also put you outside the circle. Sometimes to not belong becomes a gift. Yet communities of practice are needed to bring creative work across the threshold and into life.
This course explores these questions together through practice, deep listening and holding multiple perspectives. We will meet once every two weeks, giving space and time to breathe, make and find your own way. On off weeks, prompts, readings and videos will be shared to keep the work moving between sessions.
The goal is for each participant to complete an original art book by the end of the course — moving through many forms including collage, flash writing, poetry, painting and drawing, breaking apart more formal ideas of writing and the essay into a practice where play, intuition and flow are the path to something remembered and something new.
No prior experience required — just curiosity and a willingness to explore.
All sessions are held synchronously over Zoom.
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THROUGH THE LENS — PHOTOGRAPHY AS EXTENDED PRACTICE
July 1, 8, 15, 22, 2026
Wednesdays, 1:00–2:30PM ET
4 Sessions — Online / $175
LOCATION: Zoom
Professor Maziyar Derakhshani
This course explores the relationship between form and content in photography. While content ultimately drives the image, we begin by building a strong understanding of visual form and fundamental photographic elements — then move beyond them.
Throughout the course we will look at photographers who have challenged traditional definitions of the medium and engage with contemporary issues in photography. At the core is helping you develop or deepen your own voice. Through discussion, critique and guided assignments, you will work toward building a small, cohesive portfolio.
Open to both camera and cellphone users. Emphasis is placed on learning to see, engaging with other artists’ work and refining personal ideas through dialogue and feedback. Open source and free apps and software will be used to broaden access.
Open to all levels, from first-time photographers to those looking to push an established practice further.
All sessions are held synchronously over Zoom.
REGISTER
SUMMER DIRECTED STUDIES
June – July 2026
ANY DAY / ANY TIME
Location: Zoom or In-Person
Multiple Professors
studioELL Summer Directed Studies are your chance to make the most of your studio time — a self-designed, one-on-one learning experience built around your practice, your schedule and your goals, running June through July 2026.
Whether you’re returning to deepen your work, building a portfolio, developing new skills or simply carving out dedicated time to make — this is structured support without the rigidity of a traditional course. Work directly with a studioELL faculty member across a range of disciplines including drawing, painting, mixed media, sculpture, writing, professional practice and more. In-person, online or hybrid — you choose.
Sessions may be in-person, hybrid or online — synchronous or asynchronous.
How It Works
Register below and let us know if there’s a specific faculty member you’d like to work with — we do our best to honor requests. A studioELL representative will reach out to talk through your interests and confirm your pairing before official enrollment.
Ready to get started?
Register or email hello@studioELL.org with questions.
Summer 2026 Session Packages
Each session is built around you — approximately 1.5 hours of one-on-one studio time with your faculty member and dedicated email and async support, so your work keeps moving.
| Package | Sessions | Est. Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | 2 sessions | $225 |
| Workshop | 4 sessions | $450 |
| Short Course | 6 sessions | $675 |
| Intensive | 8 sessions | $900 |