“Over eight years our children thrived in the nurturing environment at ArtWorks. Their abilities were tapped and their art skills refined through the direction, guidance and coaching of your very professional and committed staff.”

-Susan and Robert, parents

“The teachers and staff are so welcoming and energetic. They make me feel comfortable.”

-Sayuri, student

“The teaching style works incredibly well, and even if you do not have much experience using various art media, you can create amazing pieces of artwork.”

-Alec, student

Our Teachers

All instructors at ArtWorks are highly skilled, practicing artists who have been selected for their interest in working with children and their ability to relate to students of all ages. Each has been thoroughly trained in our approach to provide consistency in experience and to create a wonderfully supportive and non-competitive learning environment. Our teacher student ratio of one to six, combined with our personalized instruction allows teachers to cultivate close relationships with their students and to be mentors to aspiring artists.

Our teachers are all ideally suited for their roles in our studio. Each grew up with a passion for drawing and painting. As part of their development as artists, they each pursued a high level of mastery of skill and recognize the value and importance of that foundation in their own personal experience. Most importantly, each has a passion for sharing his or her expertise. Every teacher strives to pass along his or her knowledge and love for the process of making art.

ArtWorks is pleased to introduce you to our current teachers:

Angie Crabtree is a graduate of the San Francisco Art Institute and holds a BFA in Painting. As part of her earlier art education she was fortunate to study abroad at the Gerrit Reitveld Academie of the Netherlands, and in the Early College Program at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Angie also studied as an apprentice under photorealist master, Charles Becker. For the past 8 years Angie has taught art to children in both public and private venues. Angie has also shown her own work locally since 2006.

Courtney Dillon graduated from UC Davis, where she majored in Studio Art. As the daughter of teachers, Courtney has been around children her entire life. In high school she volunteered in classrooms, and also at the Los Angeles Zoo as a student docent. Courtney has also worked as a substitute teacher. Prior to joining ArtWorks, Courtney applied her love of art and children by teaching and managing at an after school art studio in Southern California.

Deirdre White has a B.F.A. from the Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia and an M.F.A. in Studio Art from UC Davis. She was an Artist in Residence at Oregon School of Arts and Crafts and at UC Davis had the opportunity to work with renowned artist, Wayne Thiebaud. She exhibited broadly from 1986-1998, and recently has been more exclusively dedicating herself to teaching. Deirdre teaches extensively on a college level, recently having instructed classes in drawing at California College of Art, City College of San Francisco, and Ohlone College.

Diane Flick received her B.A. in Studio Art with an Emphasis in Drawing from UC Santa Barbara, and her M.A. in Humanities with an Art Emphasis from Cal State Dominguez Hills. Diane discovered how much she loved working with children and teens when she worked as a Camp Counselor. She has also volunteered in educational programs for children and adults.

Elana Lutz holds a B.F.A. in Fine Art from Dickinson College and completed her M.F.A. in Painting at the Academy of Art University. As a fine artist, Elana's focus is on mixed media figurative work. She has participated in solo and group shows throughout the Bay Area, most recently at a gallery near her home in Oakland. She has inspired young artists through her teaching at ArtWorks since 1997.

Gina Tecson received a B.F.A. in Fine Art Drawing and Painting from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. She is passionate about working with children and has extensive background doing so. Gina spent many years working with students ages 2 1/2 -16 as a dance instructor. Gina has also worked as a Student Tutor, and as an Art Assistant on the elementary level.

Jasper Figueroa is pursuing his B.F.A. in Fine Art: Painting and Drawing at Academy of Art University. He has received honors for his work there, including a 2005 Portfolio Grant, 2006 Second Place Honor, Best Portrait, Spring Show, and 2007 William Randolph Hearst Foundation Endowment Scholarship. Jasper realized his enthusiasm for teaching children while working as a volunteer mentor for the Golden Gate Audobon Society.

Jennifer Wildermuth graduated from University of Wisconsin-Madison with a BFA in Fine Art, and from Academy of Art University with a M.F.A. and emphasis in Representational Figure Painting. Recently Jennifer has had the pleasure of being part of the State Department’s ART in Embassies program. Her piece “Ophelia” is displayed at The Jefferson House, the official Residence of the United States Ambassador to Greece. Jennifer has always enjoyed working with children, and has done so extensively, teaching art, swimming and gymnastics.

Jerry Boxley earned his B.F.A. from School of Visual Arts, New York. In addition to teaching at ArtWorks he teaches at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, and is a freelance illustrator. His clients include The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and CBS Records. His illustrations have been shown in New York City at the Society of Illustrators and the Portfolio Show, and he has been profiled in Art Direction magazine.

Larysa Rybchynska Larson is a graduate of California College of Arts and Crafts where her emphasis was painting and drawing. She graduated with an M.F.A. in Painting from San Francisco State University where she was also a teaching assistant in Figurative Drawing. Larysa’s interest in working with children began in college where she had the opportunity to work with students at a local high school. Since that time, her principal career aim has been to teach art to a young audience.