Colorful Possibilities
Cherry Court Studios, located in Pittsburgh, PA, offers art classes for kids in grades 7–12, including classes for the unique developmental needs of middle school. Programs support many academic goals including portfolio development, enrichment, exploration, and early advantage studies.
General Info
Instructor: Marianne Massucci
Grade Levels: 5-12
Our Policies
Our Curriculum
CALENDAR AND CLASS SCHEDULE INFO
Calendar
Fall semester Saturday and Sunday classes will begin Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023 and end Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024. The studio will be closed Christmas Eve, Dec. 24 and New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31.
Semesters
We offer two semesters per year. Fall semester begins the week following Labor Day. Spring semester begins the second week in February.
Class Length and Frequency
Fall and spring classes meet once a week for 17 weeks. Students are expected to set up a two-hour work session between 1:00 and 5:00 pm on the day their class is scheduled.
Make Up Classes
Students who miss online classes during virtual studio sessions are free to make up time missed at their convenience during the week between classes. The instructor will be available by email and phone for assistance. Video chatting will not be available.
Art Materials for Distance Learning
Beginning spring, 2021, the cost of art materials will be factored into tuition. Supplies will be delivered to each student’s home at the beginning of each semester.
Registration Periods
Registration for each semester will begin one month prior to the start of each semester.
Art Instruction for Kids
Students in grades 5 and 6 are invited to try our IMAGINE program. Classes engage students to expand their creative zone by exploring new possibilities in the areas of drawing, painting and sculpture. The program’s goal is to build confidence in the student’s creative ability, exercising problem-solving skills, improving design and rendering skills, exploring new media, artists & cultures, thinking outside the box, and appreciating the artist’s task.
Students entering grades 7, 8, and 9 can begin our FUN-damentals of Design course called ART CHALLENGE, which expertly guides them through a sequentially arranged series of creative problems. Students design their way through early Challenges, draw their way through middle Challenges, and paint their way through later Challenges. Inspiration comes from a diverse collection of artists, cultures and historic periods.
Students entering grades 9 and up, who have completed at least 12 Challenges in the Art Challenge program may choose our advanced INTENSIVE SKILL DEVELOPMENT program. Students will produce twelve projects exploring four categories of two-dimensional art: illustration, observational drawing, painting, and design.
Upper School for high school students in grades 10 – 12 is dedicated to portfolio development as needed for Scholastic Art and Writing Awards competition and/or admission to university studies. Students who have completed the INTENSIVE SKILL DEVELOPMENT program may select SENIOR PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENT or IN-DEPTH STUDY.
TAKE THE TOUR!
Video courtesy of Tom Nypaver
ONLINE ART INSTRUCTION
Cherry Court Studios offers individualized virtual art instruction for kids in grades 7 through 12.
NewsFlash!
Registration for spring semester is now open.
Phone & Email
(412) 334-2567
contact@cherrycourtstudios.com
“Our foundation enrichment program will enhance learning that follows in high school and college. Each student is mentored according to his or her unique personality, learning style, and combination of talents.”
Important Dates
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31
Scholastic entries are due.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3
Spring Semester begins.
Sunday, MARCH 31
Easter Sunday, studio closed.
Sunday, JUNE 2
End of spring semester.
Cherry Court Studios
2022 Scholastic Regional Award Winners!
Congratulations to 2022 CCS Pittsburgh Arts Region Scholastic Competition Winners
Gold Key winner Claire Wahlenmayer, grade 10, is studying in the Intensive Skill Development Program. She won her award in the high school category Drawing and Illustration for her colored pencil self-portrait. The name of the lesson was Self-Portrait with Symbolism. Rebecca Zhao, grade 8, is studying in the Art Challenge Program. She won five awards in the junior high category. They include: a Gold Key for Challenge 3 – Respect Wildlife (Drawing and Illustration), a Silver Key for Challenge 9 – Is This Place Haunted? (Drawing and Illustration), a Silver Key for a personal photo – Prayer at Lake Nam, Tibet (Photography), an Honorable Mention for Challenge 6 – Chuck Close / Self-Portrait (Drawing and Illustration), and an Honorable Mention for Challenge 8 – Deep Space / Swimming Pool (Drawing and Illustration).
- Claire Wahlenmayer, grade 10, (1 G)
- Rebecca Zhao, grade 8, (1 G), (2 S), (2H)
G=Gold Key, S=Silver Key, H=Honorable Mention
by Marianne Massucci
Cherry Court Talk-Shop
This blog is for passionate pre-college artists, their families, mentors and supporters. Topics cover tips for building award-winning portfolios as well as best practices for the study and production of art grades 5 through 12.
The Emergence of a Personal Vision
Launching Your Tween Artist on a Path to the Stars
Supplemental Art Classes Are Essential for Gifted Middle School Artists
SEE MORE TALK-SHOP POSTS
Testimonials
What Alumni are Saying
"Best student art program around. Thank you, Marianne, for all you have done to encourage and teach my daughter. I sincerely believe that she would not have been able to accomplish as much as she has been able to accomplish to date, without you."
"Through college and in my personal life I’ve used so much of what Miss M taught me from designing CD labels for my music to creating original artwork for my personal website. Art will always be an important part of everything I do."
"Thank you for everything! You are a great teacher and I have learned so much from you over the years. You have certainly inspired me to pursue a degree/career in art! Thanks for helping me to discover my passion."
YEARS ESTABLISHED
SCHOLASTIC AWARDS
SCHOLASTIC COMPETITIONS
SCHOLASTIC GOLD AWARDS
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Non-Discrimination Policy
Cherry Court Studios does not discriminate in its program of education on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, or handicap/disability. Our Policies