Middlesex County Young Artists' Portfolio Workshop — Mini Camp
Mondays: August 3nd, 10th, 17th | 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Gallery Day: Monday, August 24, 4 - 7PM
Bowery Art Collective, Metuchen, NJ
Grades 4–8 (younger participants who show interest are welcome)Taught by: Tori Serazi & Mariam Tahir
Hosted by Bowery Art Collective in partnership with
The Art Institue of Middlesex County
This four-session mini camp invites young artists to explore what it means to make art with intention. Students will develop a personal theme, create a small body of work around it, and learn how to talk and write about their art. These skills will build confidence and creative thinking, not just a collection of pieces.
Students will learn how to curate their work, write and talk about their art, and present their portfolios in a formal setting. The workshop culminates in a public-facing Gallery Day, where participants present their work to practicing artists, educators, and community members.
This program serves students in Middlesex County, particularly those:
Who want to spend time with like-minded artists
With any existing interest in the visual arts
Preparing for specialized art programs, summer intensives, internships, art fairs, or college applications
Seeking access to professional artistic guidance and portfolio development resources
Bowery Art Collective prioritizes accessibility and will actively encourage participation from students across diverse backgrounds and communities at any level.
Program Structure
The workshop consists of four weekly sessions (3 hours each), combining:
Co-arting sessions with experienced art teachers and artists
Full-group instruction on portfolio development and artistic concepts
Small-group and individualized critique
Writing a description for art and speaking publicly about ones art
Independent art-making between sessions
Making connections with other students and community members through art
Students may bring existing work and create new pieces during the program
What to Know Before You Enroll
Classes meet once a week on Sundays for four weeks (please see dates listed above)
Each session is critical and should be attended to fully participate in Gallery Day
Students will complete one artwork and one piece of writing per week, some work is finished at home
Painting is not part of this class — painting pieces may be completed at home and included in the portfolio. In class, we will use mostly pencil and color pencil. If students would like to use pastels they may bring that to the class themselves
Supply List:
Color Pencil and Regular Pencil (provided)
Paper (provided)
Eraser (provided)
Any other type of art supplies students want to use need to be provided by parents
Portfolio Holders (not provided)
Snacks are provided at each session
NEW CURATOR: Laila Friedman ANNOUNCEMENT
The Bowery Art Collective and OPEN ARCHWAYS creator Khalid Khashoggi are proud to announce that the second iteration of OPEN ARCHWAYS will be held on August 25 at the East Brunswick Community Arts Center.
This landmark exhibition is being presented through a collaboration between the Bowery Art Collective, the East Brunswick Arts Commission, the Township of East Brunswick, East Brunswick Parks and Recreation, the East Brunswick Arts Coalition, the Mayor Cohen Charity Fund, and several interfaith-focused nonprofit organizations, with additional partners to be announced in the coming weeks.
Following the success of the inaugural OPEN ARCHWAYS exhibition in Metuchen, the Bowery Art Collective is honored to bring this unique celebration of Jewish-Muslim artistic collaboration to East Brunswick. While co-curator Hannah Finkelshteyn has since relocated, returning curator Aakef Khan will continue to help guide and expand the exhibition’s vision, fostering dialogue, understanding, and connection through the arts.
The Bowery Art Collective is also pleased to announce the appointment of Laila Friedman as the exhibition’s newest co-curator. Laila Friedman is a graduate of Rutgers University, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts with dual majors in Art History and Visual Arts (Painting Concentration) in May 2026. She brings a deep commitment to OPEN ARCHWAYS' mission, artistic experience, and valuable curatorial insight gained through her work at institutions such as the Zimmerli Art Museum, the American Academy in Rome, and the Alfa Art Gallery.
“Laila’s passion for community engagement and cross-cultural dialogue makes her an exceptional addition to the OPEN ARCHWAYS team,” said the organizers. “Her experience and vision will help us continue building meaningful connections between artists and audiences through this important exhibition.”
OPEN ARCHWAYS brings Jewish and Muslim artists together through collaborative exhibitions, dialogue, and shared creative exploration. By highlighting common values, cultural intersections, and personal narratives, the exhibition seeks to create spaces where art serves as a bridge between communities.
Additional details regarding participating artists, interfaith partners, and public programming will be announced in the coming weeks.
Bowery Art Collective presents a rare opportunity for young student artists to sell their artworks and gain exposure.
Mason Gross sculptor, Catie Lee, applies finishing touches to one of her pieces in our past sculpture exhibition.
Our gallery showcases artwork that reflects the experiences, perspectives, and aspirations of young artists. Learn more about our mission here.
Jasmine Chen with her painting ("I am Here") that sold in December 2020!
Hana Cruz with her painting ("Isabella") that sold in December 2020!
Hana Cruz with her painting ("Estelle") that sold in December 2020!
