Our School
Nurturing Creativity and Community through Art
Established in 2015, The Artist Lab is a vibrant and expansive art studio located in Irvine, California, within the Parkview Center at University Drive and the 405 Freeway. Originally founded as the "Little Artist Lab" in Tustin, our studio quickly earned the trust and admiration of art-loving families in nearby communities. In a few short years, our reputation has grown immensely, attracting over 600 families each week from across Orange County and beyond, both in-person and virtually.
Our Journey and Mission
The Artist Lab branched out from our original Little Artist Lab with a vision to unite communities through the arts and keep the spirit of creativity alive across generations. We believe that art is humanity’s most universal language, essential for expression, understanding, compassion, and connection in our diverse and interconnected world. Our mission is to prioritize art in daily life, fostering a deeper understanding of oneself, preserving cultural and historical memories, and nurturing mentally, emotionally, and spiritually strong individuals.
Bridging the Gap Between High School and Higher Education
The Artist Lab is dedicated to bridging the gap between high school and higher education for aspiring artists. Our focus is on delivering high-quality fine art and digital art training that enables students to develop outstanding portfolios. This preparation is crucial for the competitive college admissions process and fosters lifelong artistic growth. We support our students in becoming well-rounded, accomplished artists, ready to take on the challenges of higher education and beyond.
Diverse Art Practices and Professional Instruction
At The Artist Lab, we provide a distinguished and all-encompassing art and design education experience. Our studio offers specialized programs across a diverse array of artistic and design disciplines, including Fine Art, Digital Art, Game Art, Industrial Design, Ceramics, Fashion Design, College Portfolio Preparation, OCSA (Orange County School of the Arts) Prep, and beyond.
Each medium provides students with unique opportunities to unlock their potential, explore creativity, and develop their interests, fostering a lifelong passion for art in its many forms.
Guided by accomplished Fine Art and Design educators from prestigious art schools, our students delve into an extensive range of materials and techniques. These include traditional mediums like tempera, watercolors, gouache, acrylics, oil paints, pastels, graphite, charcoal, and ink, alongside modern tools such as digital tablets and software for digital and game art.
For our design-focused programs, students explore materials like low-fire clay for ceramics, textiles such as felt, fabric patterns, and various threads for fashion design. We also incorporate mixed media elements such as colored polymer clay, beads, markers, and more to fuel creativity across both art and design projects.
Supporting Artists to Become Educators
The Artist Lab is committed to nurturing not just the next generation of artists but also future educators. We support aspiring artists in their journey to become teachers, providing them with the skills and experience needed to inspire others. By fostering a community of artist-educators, we ensure that the passion for art and creativity continues to thrive and be passed down through generations.
Our Philosophy: Every Child is an Artist
Inspired by Picasso’s words, "Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up," The Artist Lab is dedicated to nurturing the inner artist in every individual, from children to adults and elders. In today's fast-paced world, filled with advancements, challenges, and distractions, it is more crucial than ever to equip our children with the tools for creative expression and resilience.
Building a Collective Community
The Artist Lab is committed to making art education accessible to all children. We strive to bridge diverse families, cultures, histories, and socio-economic gaps through our enriching art programs and outreach events. Our studio fosters a cohesive, collaborative, and inclusive environment where children learn and grow together, advocating for community building, diversity, and equality.
Giving Back to the Community
The Artist Lab is deeply committed to giving back to the community. We actively support and collaborate with various non-profit organizations, contributing to causes that align with our mission of fostering creativity and education. Through art workshops, community events, and charitable initiatives, we aim to make a positive impact and enrich the lives of those around us.
Our Vision for the Future
Through the arts, we aim to elevate and appreciate each child’s unique creativity, contributing to the world’s collective beauty. Our aspiration is to build future generations of creative, conscious, and compassionate artists who understand diverse expressions and contribute to sustaining art communities.
The Artist Lab is more than an art studio; it is a nurturing space where creativity flourishes, and communities come together. We invite you to join us in our journey to enrich lives through the transformative power of art.
Meet Our Talented Instructors
Mr. Gabe
Art Director & Instructor
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Laguna College of Art+Design
Illustration, Drawing, & Painting
Ms. Alyson
Art Director & Instructor
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Mercy College
Illustration, Digital Art & Design
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Mr. Bin
Instructor
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Cal State Long Beach
Illustration, Digital Art, 3D Design
Ms. Beth
Instructor
Bachelor of Fine Arts
RISD
Drawing & Painting, Printmaking
Mr. Ethan
Instructor
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Laguna College of Art+Design
Illustration, Drawing, & Painting
Ms. Lillian
Instructor
Master of Fine Arts
Academy of Art​
Fine Art Painting
Ms. Sarah
Instructor
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Point Loma Nazarene University
Fine Art
Ms. Erin
Instructor
Bachelor in Illustration
Savannah College of Art and Design
Digital Art
Mr Andy
Instructor
Master of Fine Arts
ArtCenter College of Design
Painting & Illustration
Ms.Anderson
Instructor
Bachelor of Fashion Design
Otis College of Art & Design
Fashion Design
Ms. Sabrina
Instructor
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Laguna College of Art+Design
Illustration
Mr. Ricardo
Instructor
Bachelor in Entertainment Art
Cal State Fullerton
Digital Media & 3D Design
Mr. Scott
Instructor
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Cal State Fullerton
Drawing and Painting
Mr. Irving
Instructor
Bachelor of Fine Arts
RISD
3D Illustration
Ms. Hannah
Instructor
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Laguna College of Art+Design
Drawing & Painting
Mr. Zack
Instructor
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Laguna College of Art+Design
Digital Art & Animation
Ms. Rupy
Instructor
Master of Fine Arts
Laguna College of Art+Design
Drawing & Painting
Mr. Jason
Instructor
Masters of Fine Arts
Laguna College of Art+Design
Drawing & Painting