Barbara Pollak-Lewis
ART EDUCATOR/ PAINTER /CURATOR
Hello and Welcome!
Welcome to my art educator website. I have worn many hats as an artist.
As an Arts Educator, I've taught classes to kids and adults of all ages. I currently teach Portfolio Development classes for teens wishing to apply to art high schools and colleges as well as figure drawing workshops. I work as an adjunct professor at California College of the Arts (CCA), at RISD Continuing Education (remotely) and teach graduate level workshops at Boston University.
I have taught photography, painting, animation and collage workshops both in person and virtually.
I earned my BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design, where I focused on Film/Animation, Painting & Photography. For 25+ years I worked as staff artist and a freelance Illustrator, specializing in editorial and publishing work. My clients included Penguin Putnam, The Gap, The Washington Post, Clear Channel, Simon & Schuster, Random House, among others. I'm also a published children's book author. In 2002, I wrote and illustrated Our Community Garden, a picture book for toddlers.
During the 2020 lockdown, I earned my MA in Arts Education at Boston University.
I maintain a separate painting studio and have been an exhibiting fine artist and art curator since 2016.
I am available for private art coaching and portfolio development for youth aged 11-18. Please contact me for my current rates.
2025 Fall Classes for Teens
All work by high school students (2024-2025)
SFPL-San Francisco Main Library
Drawing Skills Portfolio Development Class Classes for middle school students starts SEPT 4 and runs for 8 weeks.
These classes are designed to help your teen sharpen their observational drawing skills by working directly from life.
Drawing materials will include pencils, charcoals, India ink and brush work. We'll tackle still life drawing, portraiture, figure drawing and more. Classes meet weekly on Thursday nights 5-6pm (no class on OCT 16)
CCA Atelier classes for High School students
2-D Portfolio Prep
October 18 - December 14, 2025 (8 sessions, no class Nov 29), Saturdays, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Course Description: Take your work to the next level! This 8 week intensive workshop will sharpen your conceptual skills while you challenge yourself with drawing, painting and illustration assignments to create portfolio-worthy work. We’ll explore a variety of different mediums and techniques, from traditional to digital (including Procreate and Photoshop). Our 8 weeks will culminate in a unique assignment which will express your personal vision.
High School Figure Drawing
October 19 - December 14 (8 sessions, no class Nov 30), Sundays, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Course description: California College of the Arts offers this course as a special opportunity for high school students to develop their drawing skills and experience drawing from a live nude model. Students spend the first class focusing on a variety of drawing issues in anticipation of drawing from the model. All seven subsequent sessions involve drawing from a nude model.