About P.A.W.
Eve and her portfolio, age 13
Since 2019 Julie Peppito has taught classes in her studio to 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students to prepare for entrance to NYC’s specialized art high schools. Alumni of PAW’s Portfolio Prep have gone on to highly ranked art programs across the city including LaGuardia, Murrow, Art & Design, Sinatra, and Brooklyn High School of the Arts. She gives individualized instruction to students in an inclusive and fun environment. Small groups work in Peppito’s own Brooklyn studio, a richly creative space filled with sculptures, art books, art supplies and equipment.
She has also taught popular programs such as Draw the City, Upcycled Sculpture, Mask Making, Gouache Painting, Watercolor, Fiber Art, Fantastical Dioramas, Drawing 101 and Mixed Media Collage. New classes will be offered this summer as the program expands to high school students and adults. Check back soon for more info, or sign up here to receive news about upcoming classes! Location: East 7th street, between Church + Beverly in Kensington, BK. 10 minute walk from the F/G or Q/B, 2 minute walk from B103, 4 minute walk from B68.
Scroll down to read about Julie Peppito, Director, see pictures and more.
Bea & Lila, age 17
About Julie Peppito, Director
Julie Peppito in front of one of her mixed media tapestries, 2023
Born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Julie Peppito has been an exhibiting full time artist in New York City for over 30 years. Her colorful, engaging and playful mixed media art has been the subject of ten solo exhibitions and included in many group shows. Combining reused objects with craft media to transform waste into strange and beautiful objects, her sculptures, tapestries, and installations evoke ideas like oneness, repairing the Earth, and the human condition. Peppito’s teaching and art are grounded in our collective connection to each other and the planet.
Since receiving a BFA from The Cooper Union and an MFA from Alfred University, Peppito has created sculptures for New York City Parks Department playgrounds, made art for political activism, and taught at institutions including The Long Island Children’s Museum (Long Island, NY), Brooklyn Apple Academy, Philbrook Art Museum (Tulsa, Oklahoma), and Heartwood in the Hills (Grantsville, WV).
A mom of a teenage son, in 2019 Peppito created Peppito Art Workshop to utilize her unique artistic vision and experience to magnify the voices of middle and high school students, while helping them develop impressive portfolios for NY’s specialized art high schools. PAW also offers classes to adults and private instruction to individuals, prioritizing listening, respect, experimentation and fun.
For more info: www.juliepeppito.com
Lily and her diorama, age 11
PAW Policies
COVID : We follow CDC protocols
Missed Classes: We offer 2 make up classes per semester for our afterschool program that can be made up either Tuesday or Wednesday depending on which day of the week the artist is enrolled in class.
Conflict resolution: Julie fosters inclusiveness and kindness in her classroom. Bullying is not allowed. Students and parents are encouraged to reach out to Julie if students are struggling so any problems can be solved together with open communication and grace.
Cell phones: Artists are asked to only use their phones for music and looking up reference images.
Lily’s oil pastel still life, age 13
“Julie’s art classes and advice provided an abundance of useful skills. For example, I’ve become more comfortable in shading, composition, proportions, and creativity as a whole. I attended Julie’s portfolio classes in hopes of getting into an art high school, and thanks to her guidance I’ve made 9 pieces I was genuinely proud of and felt confident in my portfolio submission.”
Lily, LaGuardia student
Sofie working on her portfolio in PAW’s outdoor studio, age 13
RBG watching over students in PAW’s indoor studio