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JJ Manford (B. 1983, Boston) received his Bachelor in Fine Art and Art History from Cornell University before earning a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Studio Art from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and a Masters of Fine Art in Painting from Hunter College. Utilizing oil stick, oil pastel and Flashe paint on burlap stretched over canvas, Manford curates imagined domestic spaces filled with an array of historic artworks, objects, textiles, furniture, and animals. JJ's solo exhibition “Hayden Rowe Street” at Derek Eller Gallery in NYC was reviewed by Donald Kuspit in Artforum. Other recent solo shows include "Jacaranda June" at Nazarian/Curcio in Los Angeles, "Fifth Season" at V1 Gallery in Copenhagen, and "Jaune Brilliant" at Galeria Marta Cervera in Madrid. His work can be found in public collections at the Brooklyn Museum, the Institute of Contemporary Art in Miami, and the Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse, NY. He lives and works in Brooklyn, where he is a founding member of Underdonk and Tappeto Volante Projects.
Cohort Schedule Overview
Foundations
Semester 1 | Spring 2027
Wednesday, 6:15-9pm (EST) / 3:15-6pm (PST)
9 meetings at the Canopy Studio in Chelsea
9 weeks / 1 week off
March 3, 10, 17, 24
No meetings week of March 29th
April 7, 14, 21, 28
May 5
Studio visit with:
Tamara Gonzales
Lectures + Development
Semester 2 | Summer 2027
Monday + Tuesday
4 meetings via Zoom + asynchronous lectures and workshops
Monday, June 7
Tuesday, June 8
Monday, June 21
Tuesday, June 22
Artist Statement Edits
Amanda Nedham
The Full Picture
Semester 3 | Fall 2027
Wednesday, 6:15-9pm (EST) / 3:15-6pm (PST)
9 meetings at the Canopy Studio in Chelsea
9 weeks / 1 week off
September 15, 22, 29
October 6, 13, 27
(No meeting week of Oct. 18)
November 3, 10, 17
Derek Eller, Derek Eller Gallery
Kristen Smoragiewicz, Senior Director, Anton Kern Gallery
SHOW PREP
Group Exhibition
January 6 - 8, 2028
After completing 3 semesters with your mentor, your cohort experience will culminate in a pop-up group exhibition at The Canopy Studio in Chelsea (NYC).
The Canopy Program hosts a dinner party for all artists and mentors before the opening reception. Artists are welcome to sell their work and retain 100% sales during the show.
The shows are professionally photographed and promoted to our global network.
View previous Canopy cohort exhibitions
Additional Mentorship
Throughout The Canopy Program, artists will have numerous opportunities to work with additional faculty and hear from special guest speakers. Canopy Salons are cross-Canopy small group critiques, that are offered weekly to provide fresh eyes and feedback on your work.
SALONS!
Technical Drawing Workshop with Andrew Prayzner
Virtual Salon with Matt Phillips
Drawing Salons with Loren Erdrich
Virtual Salon with Kirsten Deirup
Additional Content
Canopy artists will get access to The Canopy Portal, an archive of recorded Canopy lectures, readings, and resources.
Additionally, here are some of the live lectures and worskhops taking place this cycle. All Canopy artists are invited to attend virtually!
WORKSHOPS!
Anxious Abundance: Dutch Still Life and the Culture of Control
Jennifer Coates, November 2025
Professional Practices for Artists
Will Hutnick, April 2026
Tuition + Financial Aid
The full tuition total is $6,500, which includes:
Deposit: $500 deposit to secure seat in cohort (part of tuition)
Semester 1 Tuition: $2000
Semester 2 Tuition:$2000
Semester 3 Tuition:$2000
The cost per contact hour is $88-92.
Please note: Upon acceptance, a $500 deposit is due on January 22nd, 2027 in order to secure your spot in the cohort. The deposit will be applied toward your tuition.
You may choose to pay the full tuition at the start of the 1st semester or enroll in a payment plan.
Please see Tuition and Financial Aid for more information regarding extended payment plans and financial aid.
