Located in the heart of Aliso Viejo, CA, Artventure is a 2,000 sq. ft. collaborative space to learn and share the arts. Outfitted with top-of-the-line materials and ample workspace for all students, Artventure is where the community can come together.
Students of all ages and skill levels can work, learn, and grow. Artventure offers classes in drawing, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, sketching, oil painting, and traditional animation. The studio is the perfect place to develop and prep portfolios for middle and high school students with an eye toward art school.
Artventure’s students are active in the local art community, featured in local juried art exhibitions and art festivals. In addition, their artwork is displayed in spaces throughout Orange County, California, including John Wayne Airport, the Norman P. Murray Center, Pageant of the Masters Junior Art Exhibition, Orange County’s exhibition “1,000 Pieces of Art”, and local galleries.
Whether art is a hobby or a future career path, the goal of Artventure is to make
every student say, “I just love being here!”
Jay is a talented and skilled fine artist with a passion for both traditional technique and free-spirited exploration. Specializing in oil painting and charcoal drawing, Jay brings a deep knowledge of fine art and art history to the studio. After graduating Summa Cum Laude with a BFA in Drawing and Painting with an Illustration Emphasis, they began teaching in 2019.
As our Studio Coordinator, Jay plays a key role in building and nurturing community connections, helping expand the studio’s reach through partnerships, events, and collaborative opportunities. Known for a thoughtful and encouraging approach, Jay helps students develop strong technical skills while guiding them to explore their creativity and reach their artistic goals with confidence.
Sonja is a talented animator and artist from Southern California with a passion for creativity and exploration. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BFA in Animation/Illustration from San Jose State University and works across digital art, design, animation, and traditional media, particularly gouache. She is also active in motion graphics, a member of Women in Animation, and the designer behind our whimsical pin program and the Tree of Knowledge poster.
As the lead of our children’s program, Sonja nurtures young artists and supports their creative growth. With her fun and engaging personality, she creates a welcoming environment where students feel confident exploring new techniques, developing their skills, and expressing their unique artistic voices.
