Rush In Art Academy, Ann Arbor

The classes Nataliya Pryzant teaches at her home studio may be friendly and casual, but the curriculum is born from an academic appreciation of the classics. Holding an M.F.A. she earned in Russia—the land of Brullov, Aivazovsky, and Tolstoy's finger-painting nephew, Sergei—Nataliya serves as the artist-in-residence of Rush In Academy, where she helps pupils hone their talents in drawing, painting, and calligraphy as well as pottery, sculpture, and jewelry. While adults can learn techniques in private lessons free from judging eyes, kids gather for group classes and summer camps, where Nataliya challenges them to create their own original works. She also helps high-school seniors applying to art school construct quality portfolios and make a good impression without having to bribe admissions offers by sending them flattering busts of themselves.