Course Dates: April 26 –  June 28, 2026

Illustration Mentorships with Pro Instruction Live Classes Guided Structure Personal Critiques Supportive Community

Live virtual courses built for artists who feel stuck, and want to take their skills and career to the next level.

From Skill Development To A Thriving Career

Illustration Courses Taught By Working Artists

Learn directly from world-class illustrators who mentor you through every stage—refining your craft, fueling your creativity, and helping you build a real career.

A contemplative man reading a book in a cozy, artsy cafe with natural lighting, wooden decor, and creative workspace elements, embodying the inspiring environment of Visual Arts Passage.

Edward Kinsella III

Process: Skill & Craft
Elegant woman with long brown hair and dark lipstick, outdoors surrounded by greenery.

Ashly Lovett

Ideation & Visual Storytelling
Man in casual clothing with arts and gallery decor in background at Visual Arts Passage exhibition.

Dale Stephanos

Portfolio & Career Development
A professional portrait of a smiling man in a black Columbia jacket against a dark background.

John English

Portfolio & Career Development

Student Success

Ferdinand McAvoy
Nate Sweitzer
Illustration Student — Editorial & Publishing

VAP alum Nate Sweitzer set The Folio Society as his dream client—and landed it. With instructor mentorship, he built the portfolio that led to illustrating To Kill a Mockingbird, plus exhibitions at the Society of Illustrators and a feature in Communication Arts.

Recognized by

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Guest Artists Visiting The Illustration Program

Each semester features guest artists at the top of their industry, inviting you to tap into their craft, process, and industry wisdom.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Students only commit to one mentorship course per semester. Once you complete a course, you can register for the next course, to continue your progress in the mentorship program.

The Mentorship Program can be complete within a 12 month period. It is not unusual for students to repeat the final course in the program, Portfolio & Career Development, if they choose to have continued coaching from Visual Arts Passage mentors.

The Mentorship program is a "get out of it, what you put in" experience. That being said, our courses are structured to accommodate individuals with a busy schedule. We recommend setting aside a minimum of 3 hours for your live course and 2 hours to complete assignments and course work. We highly encourage students to commit more time if their schedule allows.

Mentorship courses enroll 4 times per year, during the winter, spring, summer, and fall semester.

We recommend that most students start with the first course in the Illustration Program, Process: Skill & Craft. Highly experienced students may qualify to attend the second course in the program, Ideation & Visual Storytelling. If you are not sure, feel free to send your work to hello@visualartspassage.com and a team member will get back to you with a recommendation shortly.

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