This fall, a group of aspiring young artists from The Storm King School attended two National Portfolio Day events — one held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City and another in Poughkeepsie, New York, hosted by The Art Effect school.

The New York City event, one of the nation’s largest, brought together about a hundred colleges, universities, and art schools offering portfolio reviews and feedback to prospective students. Organized by the National Portfolio Day Association and hosted by the New York Academy of Art and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), the event offered students an invaluable opportunity to meet representatives from accredited art colleges across the country and the world.

Visual Arts Chair John Carruthers accompanied the SKS group, which included seniors, juniors, and underclassmen preparing for future applications. “Portfolio Day is important for all students who want to attend art school and pursue a career in the arts,” said Mr. Carruthers. “Each artist prepares a portfolio containing up to 20 examples of their work. For younger students, it’s excellent practice—not only in assembling a portfolio but also in learning how to explain their work and respond to critiques. For juniors and seniors, it’s a chance to make real connections with schools that can benefit them during the application process.”

The day at the Javits Center was long and demanding, with students standing in lines to meet as many schools as possible. Still, their hard work paid off—seniors received useful feedback and were encouraged to apply early to several programs, while juniors gained valuable insight into schools they may want to pursue next year.

The second event in Poughkeepsie offered a more intimate experience. With fewer schools and smaller crowds, students were able to have longer, more focused conversations with college representatives.

Both events gave Storm King students practical insight and a clearer understanding of what colleges are looking for in their portfolios. The experiences also helped build confidence and sharpen the students’ ability to present their creative work—skills that will serve them well as they continue their artistic journeys.