Northern Kentucky University Art Preparatory believes that the arts are the bridge to imaginative and real worlds that can expand thinking across cultures, help students learn how to solve problems and further develop talent in our region. Art Prep provides community and continuing education programs of the highest quality to students of all ages and abilities and strives to enrich the culture of the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky regions through engaging artistic experiences and outreach initiatives.
Fall & Spring Semesters
14 weeks on Fridays from
4:00-5:00pm
Fine Arts Center FA 309
Semi-private art lessons are available to children (ages 8-17) by NKU Art Education and Art students. Lessons are based on the semester which includes 14, 1-hour sessions. Each semi-private lesson is offered once a week for the entire semester for a total of 14 classes in small groups up to 4 students per instructor.
The total cost for the semester is $300.
Gigi Modaffari
New this year we have two sessions, a morning session for 8-12 year olds – our Summer Camp and an afternoon session for 13-18 year olds our – Summer Workshop. In addition, we are offering wrap around service so drop off can happen as early as 8:30am and pickup as late as 5:30pm.
In this four-day camp, we will create characters and settings for your characters using either digital or analogue media, or both in combination. Figure drawing, basic color theory, visual research, and group feedback will guide students as they develop their unique creative style.
Illustrated books, comics, animation, design, and films are a few of the many places where characters can be found. In our workshop, we will talk about character style and formation, as well as how they can function in various story formats.
If you are a student interested in developing skills in character design and experimentation with a variety of materials and techniques, this workshop is for you! Students of all levels of experience are invited to participate!
Instructor: Charlie Thacker
Location: TBA
Schedule: Monday through Thursday, July 14-17, 2025
Morning Camp // Ages 8-12 years 9:00am - 11:30am (drop-off 8:30am - 9:00am)
Extended Camp - from 11:30 - 5:30pm.
Afternoon Workshop // Ages 13-18 years 12:00 pm - 2:30 pm
This workshop is for teens aged 13-18 years old.
Course fee:
Students in the extended camp or workshops should pack their lunch.
What is a Risograph?
Risograph printing is a technique best described as ‘digital screen printing’. The process is much like screen printing, but with the convenience of an office copier. It’s known for its vivid colors and its specific textures. These machines deliver ‘perfect imperfections’ and provide a cheap and easy method for reproducing work at large quantities, like posters, prints and zines.
This four-day, in person, workshop focuses on the basic techniques for risograph printing. Emphasis is placed on printing multiple color layers and registration. Participants can use digital or hand drawn elements or a combination of both, to create a large edition one-page artist zine, where personal content will be explored. This workshop is open to both beginner and advanced artists.
Instructor: Randel Plowman
Location: TBD
Schedule: Canceled Due to Low Enrollment
Please check back for Summer 2025 offerings.
Workshop meets live on NKU’s campus Monday through Thursday from 6:00 – 8:00 pm EST. This workshop is for adults ages 16 and up. Space is limited to 15 participants.
Teachers can earn 8 Professional Development hours!
Course fee:
The art of bookmaking is a creative mixture of traditional and non-traditional techniques, materials, and exploration. This introductory two-day workshop explores a variety of creative book structures – hard cover accordion book, single-section pamphlet stitch, Japanese stab binding, and more. Participants will leave with a variety of hand-made books and the templates for each as a jumping off point for future projects.
This workshop is designed for beginners and those interested in refreshing their basic skills of hand-crafting books. A list of material will be provided before the class starts.
Instructor: Paige Wideman
Location: TBD
Schedule: 10AM - 2PM
This workshop is for adults ages 16 and up. Space is limited to 10 participants. Teachers can earn 8 Professional Development hours!
Course fee:
The Teen Riso Day program invites local teen groups to experience a hands-on creative day at NKU’s Art & Design facilities. The day will include a guided tour of the gallery/building, a casual lunch, and an opportunity to create their own artwork using the Risograph printer, a unique printing technique. This program is designed to introduce teens to the world of art and printmaking while also promoting creativity, community engagement and NKU’s Art & Design program.
Please contact Sarah Rodriguez at rodriguezs@nku.edu to register your group today.
Instructor: Randel Plowman & Sara Rodriguez
Location: LAC 333
Schedule: 11AM - 4PM
Are you a young adult interested in pursuing art in college? Whether you're preparing for your application or looking to strengthen your portfolio for scholarship opportunities, we’re here to help you take your art to the next level! Join us at NKU for a Portfolio Prep Review Session where you’ll have the chance to meet with a professional artist who will provide valuable feedback on your work. This one-on-one session is designed to help you gain a better understanding of what’s working well in your portfolio and areas for growth.
What’s in it for you?
How It Works:
Date and time: Saturday, May 3 from 12pm-3:40pm
Location: Meeting in FA332
Age range: Ages 15-18
Sign up free at the link below.
If you have questions about any of the workshops please contact Randel Plowman at plowmane@nku.edu.
