Rhode Island Art Portfolio Summer Program
An 8-hour-a-day studio intensive at 216 Broadway, Providence, steps from RISD — built to finish a portfolio for top US art schools.
Why Providence
Our Rhode Island studio is at 216 Broadway, Providence — a short walk from Rhode Island School of Design. Students work in a real studio town, see what top art students make, and build their portfolio in the same city where many applicants dream of studying.
Address: 216 Broadway, Providence, RI 02903 · Open in Maps
Who teaches
UNAA ART was founded in 2018 by Chengju Li, founder of Territory Painting. Our mentor team includes David Paolino, a former RISD admissions officer, and John Hames, a RISD professor. Since 2019, 200+ UNAA students have been admitted to art schools with scholarships — see the Admissions Wall and meet the team on Faculty.
Chengju Li
Principal & Founder · Founder of Territory Painting
Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) · RISD Advanced Study
David Paolino
Former RISD Admissions Officer & Professor
Rhode Island School of Design
John Hames
Professor of Fine Art
Rhode Island School of Design
What a day looks like
Morning · Drawing & foundation
Observational drawing and foundation skills, the base every portfolio needs.
Afternoon · Major-specific projects
Fine art, oil painting, printmaking, architecture, fashion, product design, film and more.
Regular critiques
Each student learns what to fix before starting the next piece.
What the portfolio includes
Every UNAA portfolio is anchored by Territory Painting: 2 Territory Painting works, 2 derived works, 3 foundation works, and the rest in the student's chosen major. This gives admissions readers something original — not another copy of the same still life.
When it runs
The full summer program runs about two months in June–August, and you can enroll by the week, one month or two months. Shorter portfolio intensives run in every school break — spring, Thanksgiving and winter — scheduled around NYC public-school holidays. Ask for the next dates →
Common mistakes we fix
- Only observational drawing, no personal ideas.
- Pieces that all look the same.
- No process work (sketchbooks, studies).
- Starting too late — most top schools want 12–20 finished works.
FAQ
Who is it for?
Middle and high school students preparing art-school or university art applications, and transfer/graduate applicants.
Do I have to live in Rhode Island?
No. Many students come from New York and other states for the summer. Housing is available as an optional add-on — contact us for details.
Can I start before summer?
Yes — start with our online portfolio class or weekend classes in Flushing and Manhattan.
Do you guarantee admission?
No honest program can. We give students a strong, original portfolio and real admissions guidance.