Instructors: Adam Gustavson, Sterling Hundley, Iris Compiet, John English, Dale Stephanos, and more.
Program
Mentorship
All Skill Levels
Learn how to tell original compelling stories with your art for a broad variety of visual arts industries.
Length: 3 courses, 10 weeks each
When your instructors work with the biggest names in the industry, you can trust that your class is loaded with golden wisdom and deep insights, giving you a competitive edge.
With weekly live classes, group critiques, and a private community platform, you’ll have access to the resources and support system you need to thrive.
Enrolled students gain access to all guest artists
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422
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visualarts
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visualarts2025-09-24 17:45:222025-10-10 15:12:22Caren Wynne-Burke | Gallery Painter
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422
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visualarts
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visualarts2025-09-24 17:40:252025-10-10 15:12:27Jorge Gutiérrez | Artist, Animator, & Director
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422
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visualarts
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visualarts2025-08-14 22:32:252025-10-30 16:40:24C. F. Payne | Illustrator & Painter
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422
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visualarts
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visualarts2025-08-07 17:27:202025-10-10 15:12:36Rachelle Baker | Screen Printing, Illustration, Comic Artist
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422
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visualarts
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visualarts2025-08-07 16:25:432025-10-10 15:12:41Kyle T. Webster: Illustrator, Designer, & Entrepreneur
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750
visualarts
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visualarts2025-07-24 20:07:252025-10-10 15:12:49Iris Compiet, Fantasy Artist & Illustrator
Nate Sweitzer attended the Illustration Program at VAP. During his enrollment, Nate identified The Folio Society as his dream client. His instructors helped him prepare a portfolio and shortly after he was hired for their recently published edition of To Kill a Mockingbird. His illustrations were exhibited by the Society of Illustrators in 2025. He was also recently featured in Communication Arts', "Fresh Artists".
Recognized by
The whole of the VAP experience thus far has been extraordinary. I couldn’t have asked for a better class! It allows you to fully immerse yourself in visual arts, and is a treasure trove of information regarding illustration, ideation, and the industry!
At Visual Arts Passage, this course maximizes your efforts by not only guiding the development of your artistic voice but also clarifying your desired direction in the industry. Because of tremendous support and guidance from the mentors, I had an artwork accepted into the 64th Society Of Illustrators annual and started receiving paying job opportunities from real-world clients.
Visual Arts Passage isn’t just a top pick for online illustration classes, it is my top pick for illustration curriculum period. The combination of inside information, individual mentoring and a small, committed cohort of fellow students is eye-opening and motivating. From day one, the instructors worked to really understand and meet me where I am, and the sequence of classes has propelled me down the path of becoming an illustrator in today’s marketplace. Most importantly perhaps, I’ve seen my confidence grow — helping me to build skills and a sustained creative practice. I’m interested and excited to do this every day.
They meet students where they are at but manage to elicit high-quality results regardless of an artist’s background. Mentors genuinely care about their students’ success and want to help them find where they fit into the Industry. Good people with great insights.
Taking the portfolio development class with Visual Arts Passage was exactly what I was looking for to support my growing art career. I met so many talented individuals during the class that I continue to share my art with. Dale Stephanos and John English gave me the clarity I needed in moving forward in illustration.
This was a deep dive that really helped me push boundaries. I was encouraged to experiment with mediums and styles, developing habits and finding alternative approaches to composing professional art.
I can not recommend them enough. What I have learned with them is all of the things I wish I had gotten in college and have searched for all my life.
There is so much to say l would most likely still not do this organization justice—a fantastic place just to absorb knowledge and compassion towards art creation.
The program has been a tremendous help for me. Getting personal support and lots of in-depth discussions of one’s own work with some of the world’s leading professionals in the field is a true eye opener and a magical experience.
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