MISS THE FREE CLASS ON 6/29? Watch the Recording!

Recording is available to watch through July 7, 2025.

Fill out the short form below to receive the recording of An Overview of Conceptual Art-Making. Tune in for a great chat about the making and reading of visual art--how images appeal to both the subconscious and the conscious mind to make meaning. Learn a few methods for better communication with your viewers. Enjoy the work of tons of artists, and discover some new connections to inspire ideas for your practice. Or, just soak up some beauty and be in the company of other artists--that alone is a powerful thing.

The Fundamentals of Conceptual Art-making

October 5-November 3, 2025

OPEN FOR REGISTRATION (Three Seats Remaining)

Live Online Zoom Course, Sunday Evenings at 5pm CST

Tuition: $650

Of all the languages on earth, visual language is the most powerful, the most complex, and the most mysterious. Learning to navigate it--to read and write it--is a thrilling, ever-evolving pilgrimage. Visual fluency contributes to the expressiveness and articulacy of an artist's work, but more--it contributes to a more meaningful, vivid life. This five-week course is perfect for those who are in the early or experimental stages of conceptual art-making who want to infuse their work with more meaning. We'll study four major methods of visual communication: symbolism, simile, analogy, and metaphor. By looking at and breaking down examples from master artists, we'll learn to envision, plan, and build up communicative work as authors. This course is open to all artistic disciplines, all skill-levels. All classes are recorded and available to watch in the event of a scheduling conflict or time-zone incompatibility. Small, manageable assignments will be given after each discussion class. Students will present their experimental work on November 3 for live discussion and live peer input. Throughout the course, participants will have access to an interactive group where practice work can be posted for feedback and ideas. To pre-register for this course, please fill out and submit the form below. Payment plans are available; tuition must be paid in full before the course begins.

October 5: Subconscious Reading and Instinct

October 12:Using Symbolism

October 19: Visual Similie and Analogy

October 26: Using Metaphor

November 3: Group Critique

To be added to a mailing list for future class information, please register below.

Private Mentoring

Jennifer is a dedicated teacher and mentor, and is available for personalized instruction. She works one on one with artists, and helps to identify large themes, break down meaning, and assign language to an individual’s artistic style and process.

Through critique and evaluation, and in-depth discussion with artists, she can help to edit work to it’s strongest core, perfect technique, and begin to unify ideas for conceptualizing and producing new work.

Jennifer works with artists both in-person and through online meetings via Skype. She is available for brief portfolio reviews, and extended six month mentorships. For further information, download a PDF detailing her mentoring programs.

Lectures and Artist Talks

Jennifer truly enjoys sharing her experience and working with other artists and photographers. Her programs are insightful and personal, and she is a very open, generous instructor. When talking about her work and process, she reveals honest and sincere personal life experience, and inspires audiences to look inward to create more meaningful, complex work. Jennifer has taught groups of artists and professional photographers worldwide for over 15 years, and she is a widely respected teacher and public speaker.

Jennifer has also served as a juror for photographic organizations, and is available as a judge for photographic competitions and juried exhibitions. For further information, please write her a note.

Schools and Universities

Jennifer is available for guest lectures, artist talks, critiques, and classroom visits in-person or via Zoom. For further information, please write her a note.

Jennifer generously shares her ideas and experience with students, and is happy to respond to inquiries. Students in High School and University programs are welcome to email questions and short interviews to aid in class assignments and coursework.

View a few testimonials from past students below...

Please take this class. It will be hard. This class is all you will think about. It is all-consuming in your brain. But then--you come out of it a better artist. Deeper ideas and concepts. Jennifer is amazing. Just sign up, you'll be glad you did.

--Linda Harding

As a very traditional photographer and painter, I came into this class with the least amount of exposure to contemporary and conceptual art. I found the work of Jennifer Thoreson to be extremely engaging and thoughtful. As intimidated as I was entering the realm of conceptual photography, I wasn't sure how I would fare in the "Practice of Conceptual Photography" class. Little did I know that the key word there was "practice". With each lesson, there was so much to learn. It all felt fresh and so exciting. Concepts I never thought to experiment with was revealed to me not only by Jennifer's amazingly comprehensive lessons and examples, but by the work and experience of all the other students in the class. The group shared so much and so freely with each other. We shared ideas, techniques, sources, life experiences, and so much more. At times I found that digging deep to find concepts that were personal and meaningful was very hard and painful. I experienced a gamut of different feelings. I went from anger, frustration, and fear to validation, excitement, and enlightenment all in a span of one project.
Many times I felt so much doubt in the work I was doing that I nearly gave up. But Jennifer took the time to hold me responsible and hold my hand while gently guiding me through all of those feelings. She assured me with sharing her experience and all she had learned from each body of work she had produced. She shared with me ways to navigate the bumpy parts of the road and she intelligently cheered me on when I got over my hurdles.
So in conclusion I have to say I recommend this class to any artist that wants to shatter their comfort bubble. If you want to dig deep, or think on a different plane and spectrum, or you are seeking ways to become a successful conceptual artist this is it. This is the class for you. Jennifer is a master at giving the most beautiful and detailed and effective critiques, she is open with conversations beyond the class time, her lectures are so intelligent and comprehensive, and beyond anything she is not only an amazing artist herself, but knows how to draw your artistry out from deep within your soul.
While all I said may sound really heavy and deep for what you may think of as just an art class, but let me say, if you take this class with Jennifer Thoreson, I have no doubt you will have a change in perspective you haven't experienced before. The world will look different to you. In the best way. Just show up, participate, do the work, and let yourself be touched by the practices she teaches.
It will elevate your art.

--Shadi Duncan

This is more than a class, it is a soul awakening journey. Jennifer Thoreson is one of those uniquely intuitive people who can connect with anyone, on any level. Even if you have no idea who you are artistically, or what you want to say with your work, this is hands down the best class you can take. Jennifer is able to peel back your emotional layers, one by one, until she reaches your deepest core. She brings you to a comfortable, safe place where all negativity and self doubt are gone. From there, through her artistic challenges and gentle guidance, you find a new way to communicate visually. Each week you learn more about yourself, and your craft, than you ever dreamt possible.

During this course you also learn how to promote and sell your work. Since starting with Jennifer I have been invited to show in galleries and museums across the United States, and have two upcoming shows in Rome. She teaches you the correct way to market yourself, and gives you the courage to take those first steps.

One of the best things is the group size. Limiting each course to a small number of artists allows everyone to truly get to know each other on a personal and professional level. You become a creative family. The bonds I made with the women in my group I will cherish for the rest of my life. You will laugh and cry together, and learn how to turn those emotions into incredible artwork.

--Tammy Swarek

Jennifer Thoreson is an extremely thoughtful, imaginative, and supportive teacher. She introduced me to a wide range of new photographic artists and ideas and provided detailed and insightful critiques of my own work. She has been an extremely organized and inspiring class leader, and masterful at juggling the various perspectives of each class member with their own level of experience. Ultimately, she guided us all (with wit and humor and a deep passion for Photography as Art) towards finding our own unique voice and vision. Jennifer led our class through a deeply engaging and enriching experience that is still shaping me every day as I think about what photography can give to the world. I have taken workshops for 20 plus years and this workshop being online has been great in that I have incorporated it into my everyday life at home. This class will serve as a reference in the future as I continue my photographic journey.

--Scarlett Hendricks