Welcome to the
Fred Dolan Art Academy
Unleash Your Creativity with Us
At The Fred Dolan Art Academy, we invite aspiring artists to discover their creativity through expert-led lessons in various art forms. Fashion your skills and express your unique voice.
About
The Fred Dolan Art Academy provides a learning sanctuary free of charge for art students from disadvantaged neighborhoods in the Bronx. We provide excellent teaching and guidance by professional artists as well as providing art supplies, lunch and snacks when students attend our program. We help them develop their skills through hard work and build portfolios to audition for Art colleges to advance their education.
Services we provide
We provide our students with the means to strive.
Free Classes
Free Supplies for Lessons
Free Breakfast & Lunch
Free Smiles
Limited Quantities
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Our Staff
Instructor
Aurekis L. DiSalvatore
Aurekis L. DiSalvatore is a veteran NYC Visual Arts Educator with over 22 years teaching experience in the Bronx, NY. She specializes in Secondary Art Education and has been a dedicated instructor with FDAA since 2006. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts from Adelphi University and a Master's Degree in Art Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. Most recently, in May 2022 she was awarded the Al Isaac Memorial Scholarship from The Salvadori Center for her outstanding contributions as a collaborating teacher, enthusiastic interest in the built environment, and her commitment to student learning. She is currently a cooperating teacher for the Art & Art Education Program at Teachers College hosting field observers wishing to become future art teachers. At FDAA she works with our newest scholars focusing on the fundamentals of art and design, with a deep dive into drawing, refining basic skills and helping each student find the confidence and determination to reach their full potential.
Robert Casilla
Instructor
Robert Casilla was born in Jersey City, New Jersey to parents from Puerto Rico.
His formal training in art took place at the School of Visual Arts in New York City where he earned a BFA degree.
Since 1984, Robert has worked as a freelance illustrator for magazines, book publishers, postage
stamps, educational publishers and others.
He has illustrated over 45 children's books, many of which are picture book biographies of people such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Jackie Robinson, Rosa Parks and John F. Kennedy. He has also illustrated many multicultural children's books such as Jalapeno Bagels, The Little Painter of Sabana Grande, The Legend of Mexicatl and First Day in Grapes which won the Pura Belpré Honor Award.
Robert has also written and illustrated Mariano’s First Glove/ El Premer Guante de Mariano
Robert lives and works from his home in New Fairfield, Connecticut with his wife Carmen and 3 little dogs
Ying-Hwa Hu
Instructor
When Ying-Hwa was little, like many children who love art, she drew on everything she could get her hands on, text books, napkins, homework sheets, and much more. Since she couldn’t stop drawing, it only made sense that she should study art and become an illustrator. After having illustrated more than 50 books and winning many awards, working solo sometimes as well as collaborating (other times) with her husband, Cornelius Van Wright, she is still loving it. She lives with her husband in New York City.
Instructor
Cornelius Van Wright
Cornelius Van Wright has worked in advertising doing retail ads, storyboards, and national commercials. He then pivoted to his true dreams of becoming an Illustrator. Since then, he has become an award-winning children’s book Illustrator/Author and an art instructor at the Fred Dolan Art Academy. He has been with the Dolan Academy for over 15 years.
Along with his wife Ying-Hwa Hu,(also an Author/Illustrator), they work with High School students helping them to prepare for college portfolio auditions. They also help Junior High School students prepare to audition for NYC High Schools in the Arts.
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Our Location
40 West Tremont Ave
Bronx NY 10453
Latest Updates
The Fred Dolan Art Academy Celebrated our 20th Anniversary With an Annual Student Art Show
onJune 3, 2026,
at Chapter NY Gallery.
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Our Vision
Who we are
Fred Dolan Art Academy provides free, professional-level art instruction to young artists from the Bronx — many from under-resourced neighborhoods — every Saturday, in a warm and pressure-free environment. There are no academic requirements for admission. We ask only two things: show up, and work.
Founded in 2006 by award-winning illustrator Neil Waldman, who grew up in the Bronx himself, the Academy was built on a simple belief: that talent is everywhere, and opportunity shouldn't be.
What we've built
In twenty years, the Academy has guided students from Saturday morning sketches to acceptance at some of the country's most competitive art and design programs — RISD, Pratt, SVA, Parsons, and FIT among them. Graduates are now working in fine art, fashion design, architecture, animation, illustration, toy design, and education.
93% of our graduates have gone on to college — with scholarships.
Beyond their artistic development, students consistently show improvement in academic performance. Confidence built at a Saturday art table carries into every classroom.
Where we stand
The Academy resumed in-person classes in Fall 2023 after three years of pandemic-era online instruction. We returned to find a changed landscape: many former supporters had moved on, and we rebuilt our student body from scratch. Our current students — mostly elementary and middle schoolers — are responding with extraordinary dedication.
Our funding runs out in December 2026.
Without new philanthropic support, we will be unable to continue. We are actively seeking partners who share our belief that access to great art education should not be determined by zip code.
The opportunity
On June 3, 2026, we hosted our 20th Anniversary Gala at Chapter NY Gallery, 60 Walker St, Manhattan. The evening featured a student and alumni exhibition and a silent auction, with a goal of raising $60,000 to sustain the program.
We thank all who attended and participated in the fund raising celebration. It is never too late to give a gift that keeps our doors open.
Registered 501(c)(3) Foundation
What We Do
The Fred Dolan Art Academy Foundation fosters creative excellence to aspiring artist throughout the Bronx by offering free classes for grades 3 to12. These classes are taught by working professional Artist in the field.
Tax Benefits for Donors
Donations to The Fred Dolan Art Academy Foundation are tax-deductable under section 501(c) (3) of the IRC. See our Nonprofit Status page.
Support our Bronx art students with a tax-deductable gift-click Donate to make a difference today.
Tax ID Info
The Fred Dolan Art Academy Foundation (EIN: 46-3623634). Use this identification for your annual charitable tax reporting,
