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August 2023 by Cicely W.
The art classes at Visionary Arts have some organizational challenges. Teacher Helen manages both online and in-person group classes simultaneously, which can result in delays for online students during the initial 30 minutes due to her involvement in art studio matters. This waiting period can be frustrating and unproductive. The in-person classes, accommodating up to 10 students, offer limited individual attention from the teacher. During my child's participation, the teacher's engagement was infrequent, and the feedback provided was not constructive. My child's learning experience was impacted negatively by these factors. I would not recommend this place to anyone who are serious in learning art skills.
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January 2023 by Linda P.
Signing up for art classes at Visionary Arts has been one of the best activities for my child. Online and in-person classes are offered which fits well for my daughter's and my busy schedules. In the past year and a half since my daughter started at Visionary Arts, her confidence and her art skills have blossomed. In just that short time, my daughter has been able to win a local Bay Area art contest as well as has been recognized as a young artist in the Junior Duck Stamp contest. It does help if your child is naturally interested in creativity and art, but my daughter has no shortage of that and as a result I feel that the art studio has taken my child's interests in art to new heights. We have gone on field trips with the art studio to the DeYoung museum and wildlife preserves. Both of which have been positive experiences that my daughter and I have enjoyed because Teacher Helen took time to guide the group. For my family, this has been an unexpectedly fun, positive, and educational journey in learning about art, conservation, and life skills. My daughter not only has been improving her drawing and painting skills, but she has been learning patience, perseverance, and time management skills through doing art. The art contest and art show display opportunities that Visionary Arts have the kids participate in are instrumental to this. Last year's Junior Duck Stamp contest was my daughter's first big art project that she completed from start to finish. Ever since, my daughter's confidence in being able to complete bigger projects has increased. The art studio does get busy at times when there's a deadline for submission to art contests but even during the busy times Teacher Helen manages single handedly all the kids and parents remarkably well. It is a small business after all and those are the kind that I like to support the most and feel I get the most out of. We've certainly gotten a lot out of our experience with Visionary Arts! Thank you, Visionary Arts!
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December 2021 by Irene Shu
For me, art was a love and a struggle. As much as I enjoyed drawing since my youth and was complimented on my creativity, it felt like my skills and ability plateaued forever at age 8. What a frustration! And taking art lessons elsewhere proved to be a disappointment. Seriously, in these studios that I used to go to, I felt like I was plopped in the classroom with an idle teacher without being taught any techniques about drawing realistically, no application of color, values, or paint strokes...and most of all, there was a lack of guidance...genuine, personal, warm, effective guidance.I first met Teacher Helen when I was looking for an art studio for my son. I was immediately impressed by not just what Teacher Helen knew about art, but by what she understood about teaching art and the best way for children to learn art.I truly appreciated how she arranged multiple instructors to be in the studio (pre-Covid), which allowed for the instructs to teach the students one on one. An instructor would draw the subject together with my son, which really is the best way for children to learn how to draw. I was so impressed by the progress my son make in her studio.But I felt like the biggest impact was on me personally. All my life, I wanted to get better at drawing. I wanted to get better at using color pencils. I wanted t get better at understanding color, how to choose color, identify the color, and conceive the color. I have often felt that I was too old or it was too late for me to learn art. Now an adult, I finally found the teacher who can help me attain that.Her level of empathy was astronomical. She could not only pinpoint where I was frustrated but also what to do about it. She would tell me to "learn to enjoy the process" and not simply to focus on the output. I was drawn to her passion and energy and her warmth and encouragement. She not only loves teaching her craft but also building up her students as well. "Keep practicing! We are always learning and getting better!" she would say "Nothing can stop us from creating art!"Under quarantine, Teacher Helen has been streaming her classes and has added more classes to include watercolor, multi media art, and digital art, a class that I am taking as well. The biggest progress I'd seen was when I attended her Color Pencil Art Challenge class. Teacher Helen wisely advised that participating in art challenges really pushes you to improve your skill. Under her guidance, I was able to win the August 2020 Color Pencil Magazine (Beginner's Level) Challenge!Teacher Helen has been such a force in our life and I am grateful to have found her.
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December 2021 by Yan Tan
I was trying to find a art class for my 9 years old daughter, we tried few places and finally stay with this school. Teacher Helen and other teachers are so nice, they are good on both skills and teaching, they teach students individually and everyone got good attention. School provides high quality supplies, like drawing paper, canvas, oil paint color, water color, acrylic, color pencils, etc. When my daughter taking class, I don’t want to wait outside and do nothing, the school takes adult students too. I am my daughter’s classmate now, and I am so happy to draw and paint there, that was my best time ever. After 8 month study and practice, both my daughter and I got some progress and we will keep learning here.
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December 2019 by Ting W
The teacher is nice and patient. My daughter learned really fast.
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December 2018 by Minna Xu
Great place! I like the environment. And teachers are professional and very kind.
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December 2018 by Zheng Fu
Helen is a Great teacher!
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December 2017 by Wendy H
This is the best art studio so far I have seen in this area. Clean and bright, teachers are very passionate and professional. My daughter likes drawing very much. She went to another studio earlier for a couple of years but found out later that some studio are too commercial and the guidance is not enough for her desire of improvement. She quitted for half an year at six until we found this studio, this is exact what we want. I have visited many studios but feel this is best suitable for my daughter. Teachers are nice and guide her very well. Studio is not big but it gives you flexible way to learn as you desire. For young kids like my daughter, she can learn the famous painters' inspiring spirituality also the skill set of real drawing. She so likes here. I would highly recommend it to anyone.
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December 2017 by Jing Huang
Absolutely love this place. kids get great undivided individual attentions. Teachers are extremely loving and caring, catering to each kid's need. Not to say they each have the exceptional art and educational background to bring the best out of each child! Detailed feedback provided to parents in a proactive and timely manner. Wonderful summer camp (educational field trip in small group setting EVERYDAY) and day camps (during staff learning days)
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December 2017 by Min Tan
Visionary Arts is a great place to learn drawing. My son is 7 years old, he enjoys learning there so much.
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December 2017 by Shirley Huang
Great teacher, great learning experience! Thank you!
