classes at jcal
Led by practicing artists, JCAL arts classes inspire
self-expression and skill-building at every level.
Drawing and Painting With Erica Purnell
This class introduces artists to the magical world of drawing and painting, exploring everything from watercolor and acrylics to pen and ink, collage, and printmaking.
Students will dive into fun, hands-on projects that spark their imaginations while learning essential art skills like color mixing, composition, and creating their own masterpieces. Whether painting bold strokes or sketching fine details, every student will discover the joy of self-expression through art.
This engaging class is perfect for budding artists ready to explore, experiment, and bring their ideas to life!
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Erica Purnell is a professional career artist from New York City whose work is centered around painting and exploring the endless possibilities of color.
Affectionately known as Ms. E, she is a visionary who inspires within her community serving as a visual arts teacher and facilitating art therapy sessions. As a teaching artist for the past 6 years of her career, Erica connects with her students allowing them the space to be expressive and encouraging raw talent while providing the instruction and guidance needed to advance it further.
As an intergenerational educator, she works with youth and elders building their confidence learning art fundamentals. Erica brings her creative light in her work through her paintings, murals, designs, in-house and virtual art instruction. Erica is an outgoing person who loves art and life while embracing all that comes her way with a positive attitude.
Erica studied at The Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC traversing disciplines of painting, drawing, photography and digital to her main area of expertise in Communications Design. Erica's work would later evolve to large scale canvas paintings and murals to convey the stories she wanted to share. Erica has been featured in print and online publications for her story and her art. She has also presented work nationally at various galleries and group shows in NYC, Los Angeles, Miami, Boston and Philadelphia.
Cartooning and comic book creation with alex shapiro
Cartooning & Comic Book Creation
Turn your drawings into dynamic stories and characters that leap off the page! This engaging and creative class invites artists to explore the exciting worlds of cartooning and comic book creation.
The ultimate goal of this course is for students to create a complete, original comic book utilizing text and sequential artwork to either tell a story or visually address a theme.
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Alexander Shapiro is a professional cartoonist and illustrator whose work has appeared in various publications and websites, and whose clients have included CBS-TV, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Central Park Conservancy, and the Department of Environmental Protection. He has taught cartooning, graphic memoir, illustration, and animation for teaching clients that have included The Museum of the City of New York, The Queens Museum, The California College of the Arts, Marymount Manhattan College, and The DYCD Heroes Project, as well as a resident artist in the New York City public school system.
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Learn the difference between creating original art and writing and copying or interpreting another person’s work.
Character design (Faces): Design original characters and how different facial expressions convey emotions, intentions and personality.
Figures: Develop original figures and how different body movements convey emotions, intentions, action, and personality.
Backgrounds and Perspective: Create settings that convey the location, conditions, and mood of the story.
Lettering: Explore effective, appropriate and aesthetically interesting lettering for communication for comic books.
Layout and Design: Master various techniques of layout and graphic design for comic books including cover, title, and transition design for comics.
Shadow, Tone, and Color: Develop techniques to indicate shadow, tone, and color, and how to use shadow, tone and color to give more realism and depth and power to their drawings.ription
Piano with Tony curtis
This fun, interactive course is tailored to music enthusiasts with little to no prior piano experience. Through games, hands-on practice, and playful exploration of music theory, students will build confidence and start their journey to becoming little maestros! Each session is packed with engaging activities and is just the right length (1 hour) to keep students focused and inspired.
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Tony Curtis is a dynamic jazz pianist, educator, bandleader, and CEO of Keys Of TreeHouse LLC, a music program dedicated to teaching children with disabilities. Studying under acclaimed pianist Mark Adams since 2008, Tony blends tradition with innovation, delivering soulful melodies and improvisational brilliance. Since 2011, he has shared his passion for piano through private teaching, inspiring students of all levels to find their voice. As the leader of the jazz trio The Professionals, he brings years of live performance energy and creativity to the stage while fostering a mission to make the joy of music accessible to everyone. “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” – Aristotle
Get creative with jcal
Rooted in community and open to all, JCAL arts classes offer accessible, high-quality instruction in visual arts and performing arts from early childhood through seniors.
LED BY PROFESSIONAL TEACHING ARTISTS
BEGINNER AND INTERMEDIATE CLASSES
View Our Other Offerings
cartoonING and animation classes
Get a glimpse of JCAL’s cartooning and animation classes, which allow students to turn their drawings into dynamic stories and characters that leap off the page.
In Fall 2025, JCAL will offer classes in beginner and intermediate piano, drawing and painting, and cartooning and animation. Learn from professional teaching artists in a creative environment right in Southeast Queens.
To view more of our educational content, visit our YouTube page.
SUPPORT ARTS EDuCATION
Help JCAL maintain affordable, accessible arts classes right in the heart of Southeast Queens. Just $5 per month pays for art supplies in a Saturday class.