Private, SemiPrivate, & Small Group

Art Lessons

Multi-Media

Portfolio Prep

Individualized Approach

After-School, Evenings

& Saturdays

Children, Teens, Adults

(ages 5 and up)

Enrollment is open throughout the year,

based on availability.

Spaces are limited.

Tuition Information Download Here:

Tuition, Policies, FAQs

Enrollment Form

My kids take art lessons with [Jennie] and LOVE it. She's worth every penny! I recommend TraillWorks to anyone."

-Donna Cross, Parent

Now Enrolling for WINTER/SPRING SESSION

Drawing of Ringo by Noa, Age 9, Pastel Ringo, charcoal and pastel,

by Noa Shaw, age 9

Classes Begin January 3rd

The winter/spring session will still offer the same individualized instruction TraillWorks is known for, with small classes and projects geared towards individual interests. Enrolled students will have an opportunity to exhibit in the annual student show, scheduled for March, as well as open studio time for older students.

NEW TUITION POLICY:

Monthly Payment Schedule - To simplify your lesson payments, TraillWorks has decided to adopt a monthly payment schedule. You will pay the same rate for a month's worth of weekly lessons, regardless of the number of weeks in a month. That means, for months with five weeks, you get the fifth week free. If you join us mid-month, you'll pay the weekly rate until the start of the next month. Download the Tuition, Policies, FAQ form.

New Sibling Discount - Pay only $8 registration for each additional sibling. And save 5% on tuition when you enroll more than one student in a family.

Registration Fee: $12 fee (includes all supplies and materials for the trimester). Registration and tuition is due by January 3rd.

Schedule / Availability

Lessons are scheduled for one-hour sessions, once a week. If your age group is not represented, please contact us as we may have students on a wait-list to get a group started.

TIME	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Fri	TIME	Sat
1-2pm	n/a	n/a	n/a	adult group (1 space)	9 -10am	adult group (5 spaces)
3-4pm	open	open	open	open	10-11am	teen group (2 spaces)
4-5pm	open	open	ages 7-12 group (3 spaces)	ages 5-8 group (6 spaces)	12 - 1 pm	semiprivate
5-6pm	open	teen group (6 spaces)	open	open	1-2pm	teen group (2 spaces)

View more student work on our Facebook page.

I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.
– Confucius

TAKING the LEAP:

Berthe Morisot, French Impressionist painter said, “It is important to express oneself... provided the feelings are real and are taken from your own experience.”

Jennie is happy to talk with you about learning to express yourself through the visual arts. Call 973-383-1307 or email Jennie to set up a free consultation at her studio to see if you would like to pursue instruction.

Jennie working with two students in the studio.

Consider TraillWorks . . .

TraillWorks, offers students a professional, nurturing and non-threatening studio environment in which to develop their individual goals and creativity. Owner and teacher, Jennie Traill Schaeffer’s experience as both a formerly certified NJ art teacher, with a BFA in Painting and Art Education from Syracuse University, and as a working artist differentiates TraillWorks from other art schools. Through a multimedia approach partially grounded in discipline based arts education (formulated in the 1980s by the J. Paul Getty Trust) that emphasizes strong technique while exposing students to art history, criticism, and aesthetics, students are given the opportunity to explore and deepen their own understanding of artmaking. She trains her students first to see and then to handle their materials, allowing for the refined creation of a variety of representational, conceptual and imaginative work.

While younger children will be taught a more general curriculum incorporating a broad exposure to many different media, themes, styles, and approaches, teen and adult study will be more narrowly focused on an individual basis. Students considering art school in the future can work independently with Schaeffer on developing and refining their portfolio for admission. Adults may choose a particular discipline or style within which to work or elect to choose a broader approach to their art education. While Schaeffer’s background is grounded in drawing and painting, her exposure to printmaking, ceramics, photography,and design provide her students opportunities to work in a variety of directions.

If you are looking for a studio to seriously nurture and develop your artistic pursuits or your children’s, consider TraillWorks. We invite you to make an appointment for a studio tour and introduction to lessons that will open your eyes and mind.

"I just wanted to give you feedback from Emily’s art lesson this past week. She LOVED IT!! This is a huge breakthrough since her last art class lasted a day. . . she never had anyone tell her how to improve her work before and she said she realizes that this is only going to help her improve her art. She enjoyed working with you and even the other students. Her final words when we were leaving were “That was FUN”. So thank you and we will see you on Wednesday."

- Suzanne Haag, Parent

"My kids take art lessons with [Jennie] and LOVE it. She's worth every penny! I recommend TraillWorks to anyone."

-Donna Cross, Parent

"We continue to appreciate the exposure and teachings you provide; they have evolved beautifully with you. Indeed they have amassed a beautiful array of art that we will frame and keep as treasures."

-Dr. and Mrs. Kevin M. Shaw, Parents and Owners of Newton Health and Wellness

"I can't tell you how important I think art lessons are. You think and perceive outside the box, but you "get" the boxes in life. I really appreciate the training you give them.

-Parent, TraillWorks' Students

“Rachel has made progress in leaps and bounds since she began to study regularly under Jennie Traill Schaeffer . . . . Her confidence is high and her skill level is impressive. Art lessons with Jennie are the highlight of Rachel’s week! Jennie’s gentle, personal, professional manner makes great art education feel like spending the afternoon with a good friend. Thanks, Jennie, for more than just excellent art instruction!”

- Christine Bulko, Parent

“Jennie seems to have been able to very successfully blend her art education background with her studio knowledge, thus yielding a highly skilled teacher.”

- Art Teacher, HCRHS

"I have never seen him more positive about school than when he was working in ceramics with you."

- parent at HCRHS

"She thoroughly enjoyed the class and learning about using different media. She also enjoyed the classroom environment -- you made her feel very comfortable and she was not afraid to be herself."

- parent at HCRHS

"I have been teaching since 1971 and Jennie as one of the top ray teachers I have worked with."

- Art Teacher, HCRHS

"Jennie is a consummate professional whose desire to touch each of her students' lives in a positive way is the beacon by which she guides her career. Her willingness to work with their perspective strengths and limitations, as she guides them to a higher level of artistic expression is commendable."

- History Teacher, HCRHS