Sept.–Oct. courses for older kids & teens; movie night; speed portraiture
Hi everyone,
We hope you enjoyed the long weekend! Our summer camps continue with gusto, so this email previews more coming at Hot Pizza this autumn: multi-week courses for middle-schoolers and teens, our next Speed Portraiture session, and our first Conceptual Art movie night.
Keeping it brief (he says, with paragraphs below),
Brian
September–October courses for older kids
A lot of our VIPizzas, our junior artists, are growing up! We’re excited to grow alongside them—and to welcome older kids into a new slate of after-school and evening courses designed for grades 6 and up.
As students get older, they’re often ready to go deeper: to hone their skills by developing their own visual language, spend sustained time on ambitious projects, and make a body of work that feels truly personal. Courses like Teen Sewing, Studio Skillz, Youth Comics, and Animation will give older kids space to do exactly that—while also connecting socially with peers in a warm, low-pressure studio environment.
These classes are a natural extension of Hot Pizza’s philosophy: we believe creative expression builds confidence, critical thinking, problem-solving, social connection, and joy. Whether your kid is making art for fun, looking for a creative community, or beginning to build a portfolio for a specialized school program, we’re here to help them make it just the way they like—and share it with others.
In September and October, we’ll offer:
Mondays, 6:30–8:30 at 134 Osler: The Teen Sewing Studio (Grades 7 and up)
Mondays, 6:30–8:00 at 1152 College: Studio Skillz: Drawing and Painting (Grades 4–8)
Tuesdays, 4–6 p.m. at 1152 College: Comics (Grades 5–11)
Tuesdays, 6:30–8 p.m. at 1152 College: Animation (Grades 5–10)
Wednesdays, 4–6 p.m. at 1152 College: Studio Supreme (Grades 5–10)
Registration begins August 14 at 8 a.m.!
Speed Portraiture on Saturday, September 12
One of our most sought-after sessions this year has been Speed Portraiture. Why? It’s freeing and joyful! Practice your drawing skills while meeting cool people and amassing a unique collection of portraits of you! Speed is key, meaning there is no time for perfectionism, over-analysis, or being too precious. We practice drawing each other, together, and while doing so have great conversations and deepen our collective understanding of our uniqueness.
Every skill level is welcome and no experience is required. Come as you are, leave as you’ve been seen—by people also tapping into their creative selves.
Saturday, September 12, 7:30–9:30 p.m. at 1152 College. Register →
Conceptual Art Movie Night
I’m now the person who sends you friendly emails about Hot Pizza programs. But I’ve also spent twenty-five years as an art critic, editor, museum curator, and nonprofit gallery director. (We all gotta do something.)
So we’re trying something new next month: screening playful, surprising, and kid-friendly short films by conceptual artists. This isn’t the latest Pixar movie, but rather works by artists you’re more likely to see at the AGO or MOMA in New York. You’ll love many of them. A few may make your mouth drop. One or two might have you and your kids ask, “Wow that is art?”
Come join us for snacks and films ranging from 20 seconds to about 6 or so minutes from artists like Bas Jan Ader, William Wegman, Pipilotti Rist, John Smith, Kota Ezawa, and more. And don’t worry—I’ll guide you through the adventure with short commentary.
Snacks provided, but feel free to bring your own, too! All proceeds support the Hot Pizza Bursary Fund, which helps people and organizations without the means to pay full price for our programs.
Friday, September 18 at 1152 College St. Doors at 6 p.m., screening starts at 6:30 sharp. Register →