Aesthetic Center Idea
Idea Center – Training the Creative Mind
Welcome to IDEA Children’s Aesthetic Center
For over 30 years, IDEA has been inspiring children through art, literature, and creative exploration. We invite children ages 5 to 16 to join our unique educational program in the heart of Bensonhurst, Brooklyn.
Location
1550 Bath Avenue
Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, NY
Class Schedule
Classes meet once a week for 3 hours.
Thursday: 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Friday: 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM or 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Our Program
Students participate in a rich interdisciplinary curriculum that includes:
Drawing
Painting
Sculpture
Russian Language and Literature
Our Philosophy
At IDEA, creativity is about much more than learning artistic techniques. We believe that art is a way of seeing the world, asking meaningful questions, and discovering one’s own voice.
Through visual arts, literature, and theater, children develop imagination, confidence, curiosity, empathy, and critical thinking. These qualities extend far beyond the classroom and remain with them throughout their lives.
Throughout the year, our students work on original creative projects, read outstanding works of literature, and each spring present a fully staged theatrical performance inspired by the books they have studied.
We believe that every child is creative. Our goal is to nurture each student’s unique talents in a warm, supportive, and intellectually stimulating environment.
We look forward to welcoming your family to IDEA and sharing another inspiring school year together.
For questions email – MarinaKorenfeld@gmail.com or call (917) 325-4628.
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FAQ
Q: How much does a class cost?
A: The cost of one class with monthly tuition is $65 per class. A 10% discount is available for a sibling. If paying on a drop-in basis, the cost is $75 per class.
Q: What if my child misses a class?
A: If a class is missed, students may attend a makeup class on another day within one month of the missed class.
Available makeup sessions are:
Thursday: 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Friday: 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM or 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Q: How much does a semester cost?
A: Tuition for one semester is $950. The second child receives a 10% discount, bringing the semester tuition to $855.
Q: How much does one week of camp cost?
A: One week of camp costs $890 for IDEA students. For children who do not attend our classes, the cost is $1,040 per week.
Q: How long is each class?
A: Each class lasts 3 hours and includes:
Russian language instruction
A break with educational games (students are encouraged to bring a lunch box with food and a drink)
Painting or sculpture (alternating throughout the program)
Q: Do students need to bring their own paints and brushes?
A: No. A yearly $150 materials fee covers all art supplies, sculpture materials, and classroom materials.
Q: What is the minimum age for enrollment?
A: We generally accept children starting at age 5.
Q: What is the minimum age for camp?
A: Camp admission is determined on a case-by-case basis, depending on the child’s readiness.
Q: Can my child skip the homework?
A: No. Homework is a required part of the Russian language program.
Q: Do you offer additional tutoring for entrance exams to specialized schools or colleges?
A: Yes. We successfully provide individualized preparation for entrance exams.
Q: How can my child participate in the theater performance?
A: Students must attend our summer camp, where rehearsals take place over a three week period.
Q: What kind of meals are provided at camp?
A: Campers enjoy four home-cooked meals each day.
Q: Is swimming included?
A: Yes. Swimming in the lake is an essential part of the camp program.
Q: Do campers participate in sports?
A: Yes. Every day includes a mandatory 45-minute morning exercise session, along with sports and outdoor activities throughout the day.
Q: How many children are in each class?
A: Class size is limited to 10 students.
Q: Do you select children based on artistic ability? What if my child has never drawn before?
A: No. We believe every child is talented, and no prior artistic experience is required.
Instructors
Marina Korenfeld
Printmaker, art teacher
Education- Odessa Theater Art College, Odessa, Ukraine
BFA School of Visual Arts, New York
Marina is a member of the Art Students’ League, New York. She won a Merit Scholarship. She has the unique capacity to constantly generate ideas and creative projects.
Marina believes that every person must be insatiably fascinated with herself, with other people, and with the world around her. She believes that you can uncover and explore the child’s inner world through her emotional involvement and interest in her own actions. And the best way to teach the child how to make use of this interest (in any of its potential aspects) is to help her develop an interest in art and art-making.
Eli Bezimansky
Artist-Sculptor
Education – Moscow Art School, Russia
Fashion Institute of Technology, New York
Eli’s versatile projects range from mobile sculptures to landscaping. The creation of a Japanese pond with lilies, goldfish, and wild irises was a collaborative project which involved many teens at “Idea”. Eli’s other projects include chimes, the planting of trees (each bears the name of a camper at “Idea”), clay compositions, and the design of t-shirts and other household objects.
He is the art director for our plays and the costume designer of our plays and contests.
Eli thinks that that path to the development of the child’s inner world lies through artistic creation.
Summer Camp
Our IDEA summer sleepaway camp is located in a beautiful setting beyond the Catskill Mountains, surrounded by 17 acres of our own private forest.
The camp offers everything needed for an active and creative summer: volleyball, soccer, and badminton courts, a spacious veranda that transforms into a stage for plays and concerts, a cozy campfire area, and our welcoming three-story lodge.
Because our camp is small, we are able to give every child individual attention. Over the years, we have created a unique atmosphere of friendship, trust, and shared discovery.
We draw, create design projects, take part in theater, play sports, swim, explore the surrounding area, play games, observe nature, and simply learn to see the world with greater curiosity and appreciation. Children ages 7 to 17 quickly make friends across age groups, discover new talents, and try activities they may never have experienced before.
Each session concludes with a large theatrical performance that we create together and present to parents on the final day of camp.
In the summer of 2027, IDEA Camp will celebrate its 30th anniversary. Over the years, generations of children have grown up here, and many still remember the camp as one of the brightest and most memorable experiences of their childhood.
Performances
- Alice in Wonderland — 2025
- The Snow Queen — 2024
- Pewter Rings — 2022
- An Ordinary Miracle — 2019
Spring Break Program
In April, during spring break, students of IDEA Children’s Aesthetic Center are invited to spend an exciting week exploring New York City with us.
Our program includes visits to museums, botanical gardens, sculpture parks, the zoo, and one of our favorite destinations, the New Victory Theater, New York City’s renowned theater for young audiences.
In addition to our excursions, students participate in sketching sessions, plein air drawing, discover the city’s neighborhoods and landmarks, enjoy picnics, and take part in outdoor games and sports in New York’s beautiful parks.
Our Spring Break program runs Monday through Friday, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Tuition: $100 per day, including all admission tickets.
February Vacation
European Winter Break Program
Every February, during winter break, we set off on another unforgettable journey through Europe.
For more than 20 years, we have been traveling with our students, ages 10 to 16, exploring some of Europe’s most remarkable cities and discovering their history, art, and culture. Over the years, our adventures have taken us to Rome, Paris, Lisbon, Prague, Berlin, Florence, Madrid, and Seville, with each destination offering new experiences and lasting memories.
For us, these trips are much more than vacations. They are immersive educational experiences. Together, we wander through historic streets, visit world-renowned museums, cathedrals, and gardens, sample local cuisine, and learn to appreciate art, history, architecture, and the unique character of each place we visit.
Travel encourages our students to become more independent, curious, and confident. Most importantly, they return home with much more than photographs. They bring back new perspectives, lifelong friendships, and memories that will stay with them for years to come.
