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 2026 Classes Start September 4
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.
This year we will be offering a weeklong art camp workshop for ages 8-12. The art camp workshop starts Monday, July 13 and runs through Friday, July 17 and meets from 10 am – 5 pm and meets in the Fine Arts Building on NKU’s campus. More details will be provide after signing up.
In this five-day art camp workshop, we will focus on three 2- hour art making sessions per day for five days. Below is an example of things we will explore. This Art Camp is open to all skill levels.
Session 1: 10 am-12 pm. Monday – Friday
Experimental Character Design
In this five-day session, 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!
Session 2: 1 pm – 3 pm. Monday - Friday
Creating an Editioned Artist Comic Zine
Students will be creating a limited-edition multicolored artist “zine” printed using a four color risograph printer. A zine (pronounced ZEEN) is short for "fanzine" and is usually a small-batch, independently published work. Anyone can be a zinester. (aka "someone who creates a zine. A zine is a pamphlet-like publication that can include text, images, comics, found objects, or any other creative material that helps to express the author's message.
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. Once we print our zines we will exchange them with everyone else taking the workshop.
Session 3: 3pm -5 pm Monday – Friday
Stop Animation
Stop motion is a type of animation that involves moving three‑dimensional objects in small increments. After each movement, a photo is taken. When these photos are compiled into a single sequence, they create a moving picture. This technique appears in popular films such as The Nightmare Before Christmas, Star Wars, and Fantastic Mr. Fox.
In this course, participants will learn the fundamentals of creating a stop motion film and apply these skills to produce a project of their own. Students will explore essential techniques and materials used in stop motion, including storyboarding, frame rate, and character building. By the end of the program, each student will complete and showcase their own stop motion film.
Instructor: Charlie Thacker, Randel Plowman and Savannah Koch
Location: TBA
Schedule: Monday through Friday, July 13-17, 2026-9 am-5 pm
Art Camp / Ages 8-12 years / 9:00 am – 5 pm (drop-off 9 am - 10 am / pick-up 5 pm – 5:30 pm) Workshop starts at 10 am.
Summer Art Camp fee:
Students in the art camp workshop should pack their lunch. We will be eating lunch from 12-1 pm.
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: Fine Arts Building FA102
Schedule: July 13- 16, 2026 - 6:00 - 8:00pm
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:
· $149 Early Registration before June 30
· $175 after June 30
· All materials will be provided
If you have questions about any of the workshops please contact Randel Plowman at plowmane@nku.edu.
