Visual Arts at DEA Manhattan

Manhattan Art Classes Built Around Your Ideas.

Creative, personalized art instruction that helps students develop real technique, stronger visual thinking, and the confidence to make work that feels completely their own.

DEA Music & Art Manhattan offers private and small-group art classes for students who want more than a basic craft activity. Our experienced teachers guide each student through drawing, painting, composition, experimentation, and personal expression at a pace that supports their goals.

Drawing Painting Portfolio Development Creative Confidence
Book a Free Art Trial Explore Art Programs
Private and small-group instruction
Beginner through advanced students
Lower Manhattan studio
Art teacher helping a student during a Manhattan art class at DEA Music and Art
DEA Music and Art Manhattan visual arts instructor working in the studio
More Than a Craft Project Real artistic growth through guided creative practice.

Visual Arts Classes

Explore, Experiment and Create Something Original.

Every DEA visual arts class combines guided instruction with room for personal expression. Students learn real techniques, explore new materials, and develop work that reflects their own ideas and creative voice.

01 Student creating a watercolor painting during an art class at DEA Manhattan Color & Technique

Painting & Watercolor Lab

Students explore color, brushwork, composition, and layered painting techniques while developing finished artwork in a supportive, creative studio environment.

Color Mixing Brush Technique Composition Personal Expression
02 Young student practicing drawing and sketching at DEA Music and Art Manhattan Foundations

Drawing & Sketching Workshop

Build strong drawing foundations through line, shape, proportion, observation, shading, and imaginative sketching designed around each student's interests and ability.

Line & Shape Shading Proportion Observation
03 Children creating clay sculptures during a DEA Manhattan visual arts class Hands-On Art

Clay & Sculpture Studio

Students turn ideas into three-dimensional artwork while learning form, texture, structure, and hands-on sculpting techniques using clay and mixed materials.

Form Texture Hand Building 3D Thinking
04 Student creating a digital illustration during a DEA Manhattan art class Ages 7+

Digital Art Illustrations

Students ages seven and older learn digital drawing, character design, color, layering, and illustration techniques while creating original artwork with modern creative tools.

Digital Drawing Character Design Layers & Color Illustration

Not sure which class is the best fit?

Start with a free trial and let our Manhattan team help match your student with the right visual arts experience.

Book a Free Art Trial

Meet The Art Program

See How Our Manhattan Art Classes Work.

Watch a quick intro from one of our art teachers and get a feel for the instruction, energy, and creative environment students experience at DEA Manhattan.

What Do Our Students Think?

Sungmi B.
I have learned many things from Mark and my skills on the violin have increased. He also has flexible schedules.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your review! We look forward to being a continued part of your musical journey on the violin. We love that you are having such a positive experience at DEA Music & Art.
Bailey W.
My kids absolutely love their music lessons. My daughter takes singing lessons with Sherma, who is incredibly talented and kind. My son takes guitar lessons and is loving them, he has learned SO much and just started last spring. I highly highly recommend this music school, it is a gem and we are really glad we found it.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much Bailey for this beautiful review. Teaching your daughter voice, has been such a joy, and we are so happy to hear how much your son is enjoying his guitar lessons. Helping students grow in confidence and skill while discovering their love for music and exactly what we strive for at DEA Music & Art. We look forward to their continued success.
Laura E.
My son started piano last June and we’ve been amazed at his progress! Mr. Adamy has adapted lessons to fit my son’s personal learning pace and keeps the learning engaging through a variety of exercises, including duets. He has encouraged my son’s own areas of interests and helps keep him self-motivated and practicing between sessions. A great experience !
Response from the owner:Laura,
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to work with your son. It is a joy to be a part of his continued musical growth as a pianist. We look forward to our continued work together!
Teresa Ann Y.
We’ve had a wonderful experience with DEA Music School in Staten Island. Our son takes piano lessons with Elis, and we couldn’t be happier.

Elis is an exceptional teacher—patient, encouraging, and incredibly skilled at working with kids. He takes the time to make sure our son understands the material while keeping lessons engaging and enjoyable. We’ve seen steady progress not just in technique, but also in confidence and enthusiasm for music.

Most importantly, our son genuinely looks forward to his lessons each week. That says everything. We highly recommend DEA Music School, and especially Elis, to any family looking for a supportive and talented piano instructor.
Lauren F.
I went there for singing lessons, amazing teachers, highly recommend!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the kind words! We’re happy to hear you enjoyed your singing lessons with us!
Marissa G.
We started my daughter at DEA about a year and a half ago, continuing her violin journey. In that time, she's completed 2 books in the Suzuki method, learned so much technique, entered her first competition, and genuinely enjoys her instrument...and all of that is largely due to Gvantsa's masterful teaching! She has such an uplifting personality, always positive (even when about to give a correction), and she's so wildly skilled at her craft. The rest of the team is wonderful too, making you feel like family from the second you enter the foyer. We don't take lessons with Mr. Phil, but hearing his interactions with his young students and talking with him before our weekly lessons, I can tell his students are equally fortunate to have him as a piano and voice teacher. Everyone is so personable, I highly recommend the studio to anyone looking for strong, skilled music teachers who understand children AND music in an advanced way.
Response from the owner:Marissa, Thank you for your gracious and thoughtful review! We look forward to being a continued part of your daughter's musical journey on the violin. It means a lot to us to know that you are having such a positive experience at DEA Music & Art.
Robert D.
The staff has been friendly to work with. Learning at the School has had a number of benefits. The teachers provide structure for your learning, which I did not have when trying to teach myself an instrument. They will also help you tailor your learning to meet your particular goals. They'll recommend music books to work through and come alongside you as you go through each lesson. The instructors, there, are also good at pushing you past your comfort zone, especially when it comes to live performance.
Response from the owner:Robert,
Thank you for your kind and thoughtful review. We appreciate the time, effort and energy you bring to your piano studies! Your dedication and musical growth is a reminder of why we do what we do. Thank you for being a part of the DEA family:)
Mathieu C.
Amazing place to learn music. Started taking singing lessons there, the teachers are very knowledge and passionate!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the review! We’re so glad you enjoyed your experience with us.

The DEA Creative Process

How Young Artists Grow at DEA.

Great art instruction gives students more than a finished project. It helps them understand how ideas become artwork through a thoughtful process of learning, experimenting, developing, and sharing.

Step 01

Learn the Foundations

Students build a strong base through age-appropriate lessons in line, shape, color, proportion, texture, form, and composition.

Technique Observation Color Composition
Step 02

Experiment Freely

Students explore different materials, methods, subjects, and artistic styles while learning that creative discovery often begins with trying something new.

Materials Exploration Problem Solving Play
Step 03

Develop Their Own Voice

As technique and confidence grow, students make more independent choices and begin creating artwork that reflects their interests, personality, and ideas.

Original Ideas Creative Choices Independence Confidence
Step 04

Share Finished Work

Students learn to complete, present, discuss, and feel proud of their work through portfolios, studio displays, showcases, and personal creative milestones.

Finished Pieces Portfolios Showcases Pride
The Lasting Result

Better technique matters. Creative confidence lasts even longer.

At DEA, students are encouraged to trust their ideas, work through challenges, make thoughtful decisions, and take pride in what they create. Those skills support them in the art studio and far beyond it.

Book a Free Art Trial

Start Creating at DEA

Every Young Artist Needs a Place to Begin.

Give your student the opportunity to explore new materials, develop meaningful artistic skills, and create work they are genuinely proud to call their own.

Personalized guidance from experienced visual arts instructors
Painting, drawing, sculpture, and digital art opportunities
A supportive Manhattan studio where creative confidence can grow
Book a Free Art Trial Find the right visual arts class for your student.
Young artist painting with watercolors at DEA Music and Art Manhattan
Children creating clay sculptures during a DEA Manhattan art class
Creativity Starts Here One free trial can become the beginning of something meaningful.