Personal Branding for Young Artists: A Portfolio & Marketing Workshop at Norwalk Art Space

On Thursday, January 22, 2026, I will be co-hosting a personal branding and marketing workshop for high school students at the Norwalk Art Space. This class is designed specifically for young artists who are actively developing their portfolios and beginning to think about how their creative work exists beyond the studio. The workshop is part of a larger portfolio development program led by Norwalk Art Space's Duvian Montoya, Darcy Hicks and visiting artists that began in November 2025. This multi-month program supports public high school students in Norwalk, CT as they prepare for college applications, creative careers, and future professional opportunities in the arts.

Building on the Success of Paint-to-Promo

This upcoming workshop builds directly on my Paint-to-Promo classes taught at Norwalk Art Space in December 2024 and January 2025. Those sessions introduced artists to the fundamentals of self-promotion, bridging the gap between making art and confidently sharing it with the world. Through Paint-to-Promo, students explored how to present their work professionally, write artist statements, and think strategically about visibility. The overwhelmingly positive response to those classes reinforced a clear need: young artists want guidance on how to talk about their work, position themselves, and feel confident navigating creative opportunities.

This January 2026 workshop takes that foundation further by focusing on personal branding as a long-term tool for artistic growth.

What Students Will Learn

In an intimate classroom setting of approximately 10 students, we’ll explore how branding and marketing can support an artist’s voice.

Topics include:

1. What personal branding means for artists (and why it matters early)

2. How to visually and verbally represent yourself as a creative

3. Communicating with potential clients, collaborators, and galleries

4. Understanding basic marketing principles without losing authenticity

5. Translating artistic identity into practical design elements

Students will work both collectively and one-on-one to begin developing:

• A personal logo/identity

• A business card design

• A clearer understanding of how they want to be perceived as artists

Supporting Young Artists Beyond the Classroom

Funded by the Norwalk Art Space and in partnership with Drew Friedman Community Arts Center, students who complete this workshop and the additional courses within the portfolio development program will receive a $250 award, recognizing their commitment and growth as emerging artists. This program serves approximately 10 high school students attending public schools in Norwalk, CT, helping to ensure that access to professional development in the arts remains equitable and impactful.

Grant Support & Community Impact

My participation in this workshop is generously supported by a grant from the First Presbyterian Church (Fish Church) in Stamford, CT. The funding directly supports my instruction and class materials. Each participant will receive a thoughtfully designed class workbook, along with notebooks, pens, and printed materials to support hands-on learning throughout the session.