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Our Mission
The S.E.L. (Social Emotional Learning) Art Project is a space where Art meets Education. This New York City based start-up provides access to art and culture to students with special needs as well as underprivileged students, through art-themed programs and lesson-plans created by its founder, Lisa Black-Cohen.
The Why?
Visits to museums and galleries are standard for many students. Since some in Black-Cohen’s student population could experience sensory overload to sounds and sights; or paralyzing heightened anxiety stemming from the idea of a school trip to an unknown space; valid safety and logistical challenges meant Black-Cohen never had the honor of accompanying students on trips to museums or galleries. Black-Cohen solved this Art-Education-Gap by bringing art into their classrooms through art-themed books, puzzles and online games she wrote/created/developed - each showcasing artwork by famed artist Claes Oldenburg and Derrick Adams.​
Black-Cohen’s Art Education from Sotheby’s Institute of Art, coupled with her decade-long volunteering and employment with the New York City Dept of Education, makes her uniquely qualified to be at the helm of this business.
About Me
Lisa Black-Cohen is a New York City based educator who received her master’s degree in contemporary art from Sotheby’s Institute of Art in June 2023. Committed to introducing contemporary art to students with special needs, and underprivileged students, Black-Cohen’s thesis focused on developing visual, audio, tactile and technological lesson-plans and products, to implement her goal. She wrote the art-educational children’s book, Finding Friends, a picture book about friendship and resilience, which showcases soft sculptures from Claes Oldenburg – one of the founders of the 1960s Pop Art movement. She also created a custom-made jigsaw puzzle, showcasing artwork by renowned contemporary artist Derrick Adams and has also developed online games, using artwork from Mr. Adams and Mr. Oldenburg.
For the past decade Black-Cohen volunteered, then worked as a paraprofessional, then as a substitute special education teacher for New York State’s Department of Education. Summer 2022, Black-Cohen was employed as a second-grade co-teacher and Lead Art/Clubs teacher for Kindergarten, First Grade, Fourth and Fifth grade at an East Harlem, New York City Charter School.