Now your child can join a world-renowned artist for after-school fun with art! All classes in each ten-week after-school art course are held at the Manhattan studio of prolific artist and author Robert Quackenbush, whose artwork has been exhibited world-wide (with inclusions in the permanent collections of the Smithsonian Institution and the Whitney Museum).

Enrollment is limited to a maximum of eight children per class; as a result, to avoid disappointment, early registration is strongly suggested. As classes are small and places therein are reserved, makeups cannot be offered for any missed sessions.

Shown on the wall of Robert's studio are examples of art by students in his workshops for children

A special four-day children's-book writing and illustration workshop, which meets annually during the second week in July, attracts participants of all experience levels, from all over the United States and from as far away as Japan.

This workshop, held annually since 1982, is listed in Fodor's Great American Learning Vacations and in Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Marketplace, and provides the opportunity to work with author and illustrator Robert Quackenbush, whose over 200 fiction and non-fiction books for young readers include mysteries, biographies and songbooks.

The goal of the workshop, which focuses on picture books, is to learn how to create books for children - from start to finish - and to help free participants from creative blocks. Workshop size is limited to 10 participants.

Class meets daily from 9 AM to 4 PM, with an hour for lunch. The week's classes begin with a discussion of each participant's plan or idea for a book; by the end of the week, each participant will have a project in manuscript and/or dummy form, ready for submission to a publisher. Lectures and readings shall cover such topics as how to work with a publisher to produce a book and how to develop projects for modern children in today's market.

The workshop attracts both professional and beginning writers and artists of various ages, from all over the world. Classes take place in Robert Quackenbush's studio on Manhattan's Upper East Side, within walking distance of several major museums and galleries. Students are responsible for arranging their own lodging and meals, though Robert can suggest places to stay and eat in the area.

Photo examples are shown below of a recent intensive four-day workshop that Robert Quackenbush presented at the University of Texas at San Antonio, which was sponsored by the Richard and Joyce Harris Sapience Foundation . The workshop was a complete publishing experience where each student was given the opportunity to create a picture book for young readers. By the completion of the four-day workshop each student had created a book in dummy form ready to submit to publishers or agents.

The morning of the first day students met with Robert, their mentor, as though they were at an editorial meeting for a publishing company. They presented ideas that they wanted to develop during the four days. Then they set to work. Editorial meetings were held each morning after that in which Robert talked about the mechanics of publishing and developing a book from start to finish. He also discussed the future of publishing now that it has entered an exciting new frontier, which includes E-Books and other internet opportunities, and how to make submissions to publishers and agents.

During the working time of each day, Robert worked individually with students. At the end of the last day a reception was held for the public at the university where the students displayed their projects and talked about how they were accomplished. Everyone at the reception was amazed to see how after four days of intensive work 16 talented students from the university created books for young readers. Not only are their books as fresh and exciting as anything being published today, but their works pave the way for the future of children’s books.

UTSA students attending an editorial meeting at Robert’s workshop

Robert working with UTSA student Brian Knox.
Photo by Dr. Bridget Drinka, Director the UTSA English Department