Welcome to
Da Vinci’s Toolbox
A Premier Classical Art Studio Program Online for Children
Enrollment open year-round
The Study (2021)
Graphite on paper (8 x 6 inches) by Shaili P., Age 12
Academy of Art of Highland Park/Da Vinci’s Toolbox © AAHP 2022
Banana Spy (2022)
Marker pointillism on paper by Aarya P., Age 9
Academy of Art of Highland Park/Da Vinci’s Toolbox © AAHP 2022
Lost Gem (2022)
Chalk pastel on black paper by Gitu K., Age 12
Academy of Art of Highland Park/Da Vinci’s Toolbox © AAHP 2022
The Climb (2021)
Charcoal drawing on paper by Zahra G., Age 12
Academy of Art of Highland Park/Da Vinci’s Toolbox © AAHP 2022
A Quack in the Mirror (2021)
Charcoal on paper (8.5 x 11 inches) by Aditi M., Age 10
Academy of Art of Highland Park/Da Vinci’s Toolbox © AAHP 2022
Cut to Pieces (2021)
Wax color pencil on paper by Niyati P., Age 13
Academy of Art of Highland Park/Da Vinci’s Toolbox © AAHP 2022
Da Vinci’s Toolbox (DVT) is a premier, online art studio program offering classical training for youngsters ages 7-12.
Through this program, a young studio practitioner learns, develops and refines skills and sensibilities as an artist/designer/maker/builder.
When the young practitioner turns 13, they will graduate into the Tween & Teen Studio, the AAHP’s honors studio program for teens.
A Deep Practice, not an Activity
Working with time-honored, Western approaches to art as a form of inquiry, the learning experience in our online children’s studio lets the youngster develop creativity through exploratory, yet disciplined practice, as opposed to a chance activity for a rainy day.
A Glimpse at How Da Vinci’s Toolbox Online Classes Work
In Da Vinci’s Toolbox (DVT), we engage in project-centered work, not textbook-centered learning, as does regular school. While Zoom and similar platforms force regular schools to deliver content unidirectionally, Zoom actually serves as a perfect back and forth platform for our project-centered teaching and learning, based on hands-on-and-eyes-on construction.
Keeping Immediate Visual and Verbal Contact with Our Students
- We remain in immediate verbal and visual contact with the student at all times.
- We can work on screen in real-time with any one student, and also deliver group content that suits all.
- We demo live, on- screen, to continuously exchange demonstrations, trials, tests, etc.
- We use whiteboards and markers, as in live studio, as well as the drawing software Krita, to demonstrate on-screen, in real time, for an even more immediate experience. This drawing software also allows us to make temporary demonstrations directly on screen-captures of the student’s artwork, without ever touching their real paper; this allows for very clear and specific demonstrations of how to improve their techniques.
- Students see each other, and each other’s work, more readily than in live studio. This aids in collaborative learning.
Working in Small Groups
- As in the live studio, we do not sit any more than six youngsters at once.
- Every student works on a completely different and individual project that pertains to their age, level of advancement, and interests. And now, with the computer screen, we have an even closer visual survey of all of these projects, and all at once, than we did even in our live studio.
- The proof is in the pudding! Please enjoy samples of some of the amazing learning going on in our online class! We only publish children’s works that have been completely done online, and under our instruction classes. (We have blurred the names and faces of our students and teen staff to protect their privacy and security.)
FAQ’s
1. What will my youngster learn at DVT’s online studio?
2. Who will be working with my youngster?
DVT is presented by Ana Eloísa Soto-Canino, AAHP Director/Chief Instructor/Chief Safety Officer. She trains a highly dedicated team of adult and teen Online Safety Moderators/Studio Mentors (OSM2s) who serve as her assistants. These teaching assistants help guide and ensure our young practitioners’ online safety and comfort, and support their love of learning.
3. What is the program structure?
Class Slot Schedule: Classes run every week from Mondays through Fridays. All classes are on Zoom.
Class Duration: Each class runs for one hour minimum. Students can also be subscribed for a 2-Hour slot. For the full children’s studio class schedule, click here.
Enrollment by Subscription: Young practitioners are enrolled in studio under a monthly subscription, which parents can enter, leave and re-enter at any time.
4. How do I manage my child's attendance?
Makeups: Students can easily do makeup classes by arranging to attend another day on the posted class slot schedule.
Easily manage your class attendance and schedule makeups from home by using the parent portal once you register.
To change your default class day/s, please text (no voicemails please) the Chief Instructor, Ana Soto-Canino through (732) 789-4309, or email her at art14@artacademynj.com.
5. How long will it take my youngster to create the next Mona Lisa? 😉
It is very important to remember that studio practice is just that…a deep practice. It is not something that can be simply learned in an afternoon, a month, or even a year. As with all classical training in any art form, be it dance, singing, music, etc., studio requires a brainy and emotional commitment.
Parents can expect to see a notable difference in the works that youngsters create on their own, compared to the works they create in their studio classes. But over time, with continuing practice, this difference will diminish and eventually dissolve. What matters most is the ongoing exposure to the craft of the artist and designer, and then through actual practice.
6. Are art classes really effective in an online setting?
Ours are! Yes. Absolutely. Please look closely at the photos above. All of these remarkable works were completely developed in our online studio.
A drawing cannot lie.
We remain committed to strong teaching and mentoring offline or online. Our community of artists has been thriving online. At DVT, we do not simply use these online platforms as a substitute for in-person classes; we use them to enrich our teaching even further.
The most important part of the learning space, of course, is the construction process itself, and the craft command that drives it, all of which are, and remain, invisible. But that process cannot possibly me bonk if the outcomes display this high level of excellence in invention, integrity and elegance. This, along with the smiles on these artists’ faces throughout, and after class, is material evidence of their joy in their strong learning and practice online!
Registration Open Year-Round!
Have your child enter and leave at your convenience.
Of course, committed practice is best practice.
Prepare your Youngster for Classes in 3 Easy Steps:
- Schedule your youngster for a 1 hr Free Introductory Class! Contact Chief Instructor, Ana Soto-Canino, at (732) 789-4309 or at art14@artacademynj.com.
- After your youngster completes their Free Introductory Class, you will be invited to subscribe them to Children’s Online Studio Program.
- Once you have activated a subscription for your youngster, you will need to review your Welcome Kit, which will include a list of required materials and technologies needed to start classes. Once you purchase your youngster’s materials and help them to set up their very own home studio space, they will be ready to go!
Seating is limited! Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
Schedule a free online class NOW for