Pre - College at HongArt

Summer at HongArt is a challenging and immersive program designed to reflect the pace and structure of a college-level studio environment. Through hands-on projects and guided mentorship, students will strengthen their technical skills, develop their creative voice, and build a strong foundation for their artistic goals and prep for college level portfolios

At the end, students who have a successful completion of the program, will have the opportunity to showcase their work in a professional gallery exhibition, celebrating their growth and accomplishments over the summer.

Alumni of Hong Art have successfully developed their portfolios and gained admission to Ivy League universities, top UCs, and prestigious art institutions across the U.S.

Our program provides rigorous, personalized artistic development, tailored to each student’s individual goals. Students will also have the opportunity to visit museums and college campuses, allowing them to study artwork firsthand and gain insight into higher education pathways.

As part of the intensive experience, we offer optional figure drawing sessions at our studio, guided by experienced instructors.

By the end of the program, students typically create 6–12 completed artworks, strengthening their portfolios and artistic voices. Those who successfully complete the program will earn the opportunity to showcase their work in the HongArt Summer Gallery Show, held in a professional gallery space in Los Angeles.

FAQs

Does my student need to come everyday?

Our recommendations for how often a student should attend depend on their age, grade, and individual goals. Students may attend as little as once a week or as often as six days a week. For a more personalized recommendation, please contact us so we can assess the student's needs.

In general, we strongly encourage rising 11th and 12th graders to attend more frequently to maximize their growth and portfolio development in the summer

What does a successful completion of the program look like for the gallery show?

Successful completion of the program means that a student has met all requirements, followed program guidelines, and completed the minimum number of required artworks within the given timeframe.

My family has a vacation during the program, can they still come before or after the vacation?

Yes, many students take vacations during this time. As long as they communicate with their instructors and stay on track with their work, they can still successfully complete the program and remain eligible for the gallery show.

Is my student required to attend college and field trips?

All college and field trips are optional. For students who choose not to attend, there will always be an additional instructor available at the studio to provide guidance and support.

Will my student complete their portfolio in the summer?

The completion of a portfolio depends on each student’s current skill level, goals, and school admission deadlines. Our focus is on helping students develop their skills and achieve their goals while emphasizing quality over quantity in their work. If students don’t complete a full portfolio during the summer, they can still attend HongArt during the academic year to continue building their portfolio and meet their admission requirements.

Is this only for students who are already strong artist?

The HongArt Pre-College Program is open to students of all skill levels. We tailor the curriculum to individual needs, ensuring each student receives personalized guidance to foster growth in their work. Whether beginners or advanced, students should come prepared and committed to fully engaging in this intensive program to make the most of their artistic development.

Meet the HongArt Pre- College team!

  • Rachel

    Lead High School Instructor

    Rachel Shin is a CalArts graduate, earning her BFA in Character Animation. She has also studied at prestigious institutions such as Gobelins, L'École de L'Image for Animation, and the Rhode Island School of Design for Illustration. Currently, she leads the Hong Art High School Program, specializing in college portfolio preparation.

    Rachel is dedicated to nurturing her students’ technical proficiency and conceptual depth, motivating them to reach their artistic potential. Under her guidance, students have earned admissions to renowned institutions like Brown, RISD, Wash U, NYU, CalArts (Character & Experimental Animation), Art Center Entertainment, USC, UCLA, Berkeley, and many others.

  • Roxie

    Lead Middle School Instructor

    Roxie holds a BFA in Illustration from the Rhode Island School of Design and a Master’s degree in Animation from the USC School of Cinematic Arts. As the current instructor for middle school students, she combines her extensive expertise in drawing, painting, and design with a special focus for introducing young artists to the dynamic realm of digital arts. Roxie is dedicated to nurturing her students' creativity by integrating multimedia approaches and innovative techniques, helping them build a solid foundation for their future artistic endeavors.

  • Revel

    Sculpture Instructor

    Revel is a graduate of Art Center’s entertainment design program and a LA-based artist with experience in animation and live action, dedicated to teaching and mentoring high school students. With a strong background in storyboarding, sculpture, digital, and fine arts, Revel brings a well-rounded approach to creative education. They aspire to helping young artists develop their skills, expand their artistic voices, and explore new storytelling possibilities across various mediums.