OUR APRIL 2026 REGISTRATION is FILLING QUICKLY
secure your spot today - BEFORE End of year
NEXT OPEN HOUSE: SUnday, OCtOBER 5th 1-3pm
THE MASTER ARTIST PROGRAM
the ART class you'VE ALWAYS WANTED. THE EDUCATION YOU DESERVE…
"Wouldn't it be great if someone organized everything you needed to know to be an artist into just one class?"
To put it simply, the MASTER ARTIST PROGRAM (MAP) is the best way to learn how to be a professional-level painter. It presents a cohesive curriculum that teaches painting in a logical, step-by-step process that builds quickly to technical mastery. Designed to lead students to a PROFESSIONAL-LEVEL PAINTING PRACTICE, this 3-year part-time program gives students the education they have often searched for but not found at traditional universities, local art centers, or even other ateliers. The number of participants is small (no more than 8-10 per class) to guarantee you get the attention you need to grow in the highly individualized field of art. You are nurtured not just at the easel (learning techniques and concepts) but also how to be successful at the business side of art-making. This really is the program that teaches it all.
ONLINE & IN-PERSON classes available • DAY & EVENING classes available • ALL AGES & EXPERIENCE levels welcome including beginners
The Compass Atelier Master Artist Program: Where Artists Are Made
For those serious about becoming professional level artists, there is only one program worth considering: the Master Artist Program at The Compass Atelier. Unlike casual classes or fragmented workshops, this program is a comprehensive, step-by-step path designed to transform passionate students into accomplished, working level artists. It’s not just an art education—it’s a launchpad for a lifetime of creative success.
A Structured Path to Mastery
The Compass Atelier has developed a curriculum unlike any other. Rather than leaving students to piece together skills from scattered sources, the Master Artist Program provides a clear, progressive framework. Each stage builds logically on the last, ensuring students gain a deep mastery of drawing, painting, design, and composition before moving into advanced personal expression.
This structured approach eliminates the frustration of “filling in the gaps” that so many aspiring artists encounter elsewhere. Instead, graduates emerge with both technical precision and personal voice, fully equipped to thrive in the contemporary art world.
Mentorship from Accomplished Artists
At the heart of the program is direct mentorship from master instructors—artists who not only excel at their craft but are dedicated teachers as well. These mentors don’t just lecture; they guide each student individually, tailoring feedback and nurturing unique strengths. This kind of sustained, one-on-one relationship is rare in art education, and it’s the difference between slow progress and transformative growth.
A Professional Community
Joining the Compass Atelier means joining a community of serious, like-minded artists. Students and alumni become part of a network that continues well beyond graduation, providing opportunities for exhibitions, collaborations, and career support. For many, this community becomes as valuable as the instruction itself—an environment that fosters accountability, encouragement, and inspiration.
From Student to Professional
The goal of the Master Artist Program is not simply to teach technique; it is to create professional level artists. Many graduates go on to exhibit in galleries, teach their own classes, or establish full-time studio practices. It is what writer, curator, and artist F. Lennox Campello called “the best art schooling in the DMV—better, in fact, than all the major Universities in our area.”
Why Choose Anything Else?
For aspiring artists, time and energy are too precious to waste on disjointed classes or programs that don’t deliver results. The Compass Atelier’s Master Artist Program provides the only comprehensive, proven, and supportive path to artistic mastery. It is the difference between dabbling and dedicating, between dreaming and doing.
If you are ready to move from “someone who makes art” to a true artist with vision, skill, and a professional path forward, the Compass Atelier Master Artist Program is the only program you should be considering.
Available only at The Compass Atelier in Kensington, MD at 10335 Kensington Parkway. Enrolling now through the end of the year for classes starting in 2026. Limited spots available. Do not miss your chance to live your dream.
The CURRICULUM:
The program meets 40 weeks per year, with breaks scheduled seasonally and around major holidays. Participants meet 10am-2:30pm on your choice of weekday. Evening class option JUST added! And ONLINE sections as well. Yes, in just 4.5 hours of class per week, plus a minimum of 10 out-of-class hours per week we are seeing novices, hobbyists, or experienced artists become professional artist with gallery representation, regular sales, national prizes and more!
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
The Master Artist Program is economical and compact, yet it requires a commitment of time and a seriousness of purpose. The program is most desirable for:
• BEGINNERS who want an efficient and disciplined approach to learning basic skills that will give them the confidence to express themselves artistically.
• EXPERIENCED hobbyists who have hit a plateau in learning and growth and want a focused path to lead them on the road of becoming a professional artist.
• Students who are considering ART SCHOOL but want an alternative to the excessive costs and bloated curriculum of the university system. Our graduates have something far more coveted than a piece of sheepskin, they have the skills to support themselves as artists immediately upon graduation.
Cost:
The annual fee for The Master Artist Program is significantly less expensive than university-level education. And our graduates have shown a significantly higher success rate than university graduates. Our programs starting in April 2026 will have an annual fee of $18,000 (actually only ~$12,000 after tax benefits). That means our entire 3-year program adds up to less than a single year at most art schools! But what's best is that you'll graduate with the skills you need to be a professional artist, the know-how to make it happen, and a community to support you. Work-study and financial aid are also available.
TIMING
Our next program will start in April 2026 and is limited to just 50 spots. Let us know NOW if you are interested so we can begin your application process. Please fill out the form below.
INTERESTED?
Curious to learn more? Fill out the form below to alert us to your interest.
Ready to enroll? Print, sign, and return the application form below.
TESTIMONIALS:
“I have been painting for over ten years but there is only so much to learn by a hit-or-miss approach and a random mix of art classes. The Master Artist Program is a serious commitment but it fills a need for the experienced and amateur artist who wants a directed approach to improving skills and finding their “voice”. —Tom S.
“It’s a privilege to be part of this dynamic program. Not only does Glen present a thorough, disciplined class but an engaging and thought provoking one, as well. The classes are small and I got plenty of feedback on in-class exercises as well as homework assignments. If there’s one class a serious artist needs, this is it!”—Cathy A.
“I have just begun my artistic journey and feel fortunate to have found the Atelier. I have learned new techniques, received valuable feedback, and enjoyed the supportive nature of a small group. I would highly recommend this program to anyone who is committed to creating art.”—Sharmila K.
"I love this class! Glen is very thoughtful and organized, and the lessons are structured. Each exercise builds upon the last. There is an energy and optimism in his teaching that inspires all the artists in our class. There are six students in each section and we enjoy a great rapport between all of us. Glen is providing the foundation needed for quality painting and drawing as well as constructive feedback on classwork and homework assignments. This class is providing exactly what I was looking for: in-depth instruction, inspiring and informative lectures and assignments in a dynamic environment. I can't believe how much I have learned in such a short period of time, and I am thrilled with what we are doing. I wholeheartedly recommend this program." --Nancy W.
"I was returning to art after being away from it for close to 30 years. Taking classes here and there was just not cutting it for me as I felt i needed a level of instruction that gave me more than a few minutes of time with the instructor and answered my many questions at a level that was deeper than what I was hearing. Those classes felt like "painting clubs", not instructional to the degree I was looking for. Enter Glen Kessler's new Atelier program. Glen is one of the hardest working and most disciplined people I have met and he brings that to this amazing program of personalized classes for people who wish to make extraordinary progress in their art making. He is a classically trained working artist with a depth of knowledge that he is able to impart in a classroom environment while making the process interesting, challenging and fun. On top of his teaching ability he is a kind person who encourages you to believe you will get there (there being that level of excellence we all aspire to.) I feel incredibly lucky to have found this unique opportunity right here in Rockville, Maryland." --Meredith M
"I am fortunate to have studied with a few truly great teachers albeit in the field of music, and opportunities of that order change lives. Now, Glen Kessler's Atelier is providing a similar experience in art. Finding out just how much I don't know has been a humbling experience, but Glen's depth of knowledge coupled with his enthusiastic lectures and critiques motivate any student to give it his or her all. Competition is minimal. Our group shares the common goal of learning the centuries-old techniques of the masters. We are of like mind, and each supports the other--always truthfully, but towards the same end. This atelier is certain to expand rapidly, in part due to the outstanding faculty who will be joining Glen, but chiefly out of a communal desire to learn what in large part was nearly lost." --Alfred T.
"After taking various art classes over the last several years and feeling a bit lost, this type of program was something I really yearned for. I had seen similar programs in other parts of the country, and couldn't find anything comparable nearby. I was so thrilled when I learned about Glen's program! For any level of artist who really wants to learn from the ground up, the 3-year program will satisfy that need. We are only a couple months in and already I can see improvements and feel a sense of confidence that I never have had. I am so pleased to be a part of this journey and look forward to seeing how the Atelier grows" --Elise M.