"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:

Carmie Cucueco attained both her Bachelor's in Painting and her MFA at the University of Santo Tomas - College of Fine Arts & Design in the Philippines. She went on to teach a variety of fine art mediums and subject matter as an instructor at Far East University and her alma mater. Since moving to San Francisco in 2017, Carmie has been working as a freelance visual artist and worked with students of all ages in local art programs. ArtWorks has been a wonderful pathway for Carmie to transition back into teaching art again.

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. Since moving to the Bay Area in 2004, she spreads her time among the things she loves: her family and friends, teaching and making art.

Elana Lutz has embraced the many different roles that she has had at ArtWorks since she started in 1997, but by far the one she has most cherished has been her role as teacher. Beginning in January of 2020, Elana proudly became the new Director/Owner of ArtWorks. As thrilling as it has been to tackle this new position, Elana is honored to also be able to continue her devotion to her students by remaining in the classroom teaching alongside her exceptional co-teachers. Please learn more about Elana when reading about our Office.

Justin Oltesvig is an illustrator, graphic designer and photographer who has a BFA in Design from UNC Greenboro, and MFA in Illustration from the Academy of Art University. He's had the pleasure of working with children and teens in many environments from impoverished areas in Brazil, as well as with at-risk high school youth in Florida. Justin welcomed the opportunity to join the ArtWorks teaching staff to work with Bay Area art students.

Lee Vang is an SFSU graduate with a Bachelor's in Studio Art and an emphasis in Printmaking and Comic-making. Lee regularly showcases her prints at various venues throughout the Bay Area, and is working towards publishing her first children's book. Teaching art is something she is very passionate about and she is delighted to have the opportunity to share her artistic insight with all of her ArtWorks students.

Mitch Wood began his bachelor's degree at Pratt Institute in New York and then transferred to California College of Art where he received a BFA in animation. He has taught various art camps for kids and was a guest instructor for a 2-month Visual Storytelling workshop for sophomores and juniors at Oakland Technical Highschool. Mitch is committed to the ArtWorks' philosophy of teaching fundamental skills and focusing on the individual student, and is passionate about being a positive presence in his students' lives.

Phoenix Ramsdell has two bachelor's degrees from Mount Mary University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in both Studio Art and Art Therapy. She has had a broad range of experience working with children including work in various schools as an instructional aide, time spent as a camp counselor through the YMCA, and a position as a Behavioral Therapist Technician providing ABA therapy for children on the autism spectrum. Phoenix is passionate about encouraging and supporting her ArtWorks students.

Rachel Corn-Hicks is a Bay Area native who received her BS in Graphic Design from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. She is an illustrator and graphic designer who brings creativity, passion and flexibility to everything she does. She is delighted to share her artistic insight and excitement for working with children with the ArtWorks community.

Rea Shin is a realistic painter who has worked in San Francisco since 1998. She holds a BFA from The Academy of Art University and an MFA from the San Francisco Art Institute. Over the last 5 years, Rea has also focused on art education for young children and youth working at various after school art programs. Her focus has been on foundational drawing and painting and she is now passionately sharing her extensive knowledge at ArtWorks.

Ryan Martin is a practicing fine artist who is represented by Mark Wolfe Contemporary Art, San Francisco and Elizabeth Houston Gallery, New York City. He graduated from California College of the Arts in 2007 specializing in Painting and Drawing. Ryan has worked extensively with children and teens through ArtEsteem in Oakland, where he had the opportunity to instruct over 1000 students at five different public schools, over a four-year period. After a year off to focus on his own painting, Ryan is thrilled to now be teaching all week long in the ArtWorks studios.

Sam Swigert received her BFA in painting in 2019 from the San Francisco Art Institute. Originally from St. Louis, Sam worked as a drawing and painting instructor at Michael's for many years. Right after receiving her degree at SFAI she began teaching full-time at Young Art Lessons, where she worked primarily with young children and also helped create a more formal education structure for their "tuition" program. Sam is honored to further explore her passion for teaching children and teens at ArtWorks.

Samantha Lee is a native San Franciscan and received her BFA in Art / Animation from California State University Fullerton. She has experience working with children as both a museum educator at the de Young Museum as well as work as an academic tutor. Additionally, Samantha dedicates her time to immersing herself in the San Francisco art scene and the animation industry. Samantha was also a long-time ArtWorks student for many years, and she loves that she is now able to experience ArtWorks from a different perspective as an ArtWorks teacher!

Sofia Venegas Mardall is a fine artist who works primarily in oil paint and focuses on themes surrounding portraiture, personal relationships, and nature. She received her degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz and prior to moving to San Francisco worked as an art teacher at Artist Lab and Education in Los Angeles and also as a Paint-Night instructor through Muse Paintbar in Maryland. At ArtWorks Sofia has found an opportunity to immerse herself working with youth, while sharing her passion for art.

Tom Colcord a dedicated fine artist who exhibits work regularly in San Francisco. He received a BFA from Indiana University and an MFA from the San Francisco Art Institute. Prior to joining our ArtWorks teaching staff Tom had been working in art education for 7 years. He believes that teaching is an act of service that enriches him in many ways. Tom feels that every job he has had in education has humbled him and his goal is to always devote his energy towards what is best for the student.

Yujin Lim grew up in San Francisco and has a B.A. in Studio Art from UC Irvine. She first started teaching art in 2003 as an Artbridge Scholar and has been teaching art, English, and photography for nearly two decades to children and adults alike. We are thrilled that Yujin has devoted the last ten years to passionately teaching her ArtWorks students. In her freet ime, you can find her taking photos of her art and for clients, painting, gardening, and shooting pool.