Meryl Pataky · Artist & Educator

SOTA Portfolio Prep.

One-on-one drawing instruction designed specifically for students applying to SOTA San Francisco's Drawing & Architecture department — taught by a working artist with 20 years of professional practice and 15 years teaching.

VP
Format 1-on-1 sessions
Duration 8 sessions
Location In-studio & online
Grade 6th–8th grade
Total 10 hours
The Program

What you get.

8 one-on-one sessions — scheduled to fit your timeline — ending with finished pieces to choose from for the audition submission.

Phase 01
Foundations
Horizon lines, vanishing points, box construction — building spatial intuition from scratch
Sessions 1–2
Phase 02
Building Space
Street scenes, interiors, hallways — learning to draw convincing architectural environments
Sessions 3–4
Phase 03
Depth & Detail
Shadow, texture, scale figures, atmosphere — the details that make a drawing feel alive
Sessions 5–6
Phase 04
Portfolio Drawing
Concept development through final finish — producing strong pieces to choose from for the audition submission
Sessions 7–8

Applying to SOTA's Drawing & Architecture department is competitive — admission is based on an audition assignment and an in-person audition day. This program is designed for kids who are genuinely engaged with making, and who want guidance from someone they already know and trust.

One-on-one mentorship because the process has to be cared for. A student doesn't just learn technique — they develop an artistic knowing, a felt sense of what they're making and why.

Meryl
Pataky
Artist · Educator
  • 20 years professional sculpture practice
  • 15 years teaching K–university, with a decade focused on middle school fine art education
  • Studio workshops, residencies & mentorships for 15 years
  • Lectured & taught at institutions nationally
  • 2024 SECA Art Award Finalist, SFMOMA
  • Center for Craft Teaching Artist Fellow
  • Work in collection, Museum of Glass, Tacoma
  • Founded She Bends — exhibitions, residencies & education centering women and underrepresented artists in neon
  • I know your kid.
Sessions & Pricing

How to work together.

Portfolio Sprint

4 Sessions

$600

For kids with some existing foundation. Move quickly through core concepts and focus on producing strong finished work.

4 × 75-min sessions Phases 3–4
Single Session

Check-In

$175

A focused 75-minute session — critique, direction, and technical guidance at any stage. Book one or as many as you need.

1 × 75-min session Any stage
Questions

Things parents ask.

Does my kid need drawing experience?

No. The full curriculum starts from zero. Practice between sessions helps — more is always better.

Where do sessions take place?

Sessions run as a hybrid model — some in-person at my studio in the Bay Area, some online. We'll figure out the right mix based on where you are and what works for your kid.

What supplies does my kid need?

A basic supply list is provided at the start. Typically under $30 — pencils, a ruler, paper, and an eraser.

How far in advance should we start?

No later than 3–4 months before the audition deadline. Check the SOTA website for current dates — the upload deadline is typically in December.

Is this only for the drawing & architecture department?

Yes, this curriculum is built specifically for that department. Reach out if your kid is applying elsewhere and we'll talk.

Get Started

Let's talk about
your kid.

I work with a small number of kids at a time. Reach out to ask questions or book a first session.

Get in touch meryl@merylpataky.com