Interested in applying to ArtCenter College of Design’s Entertainment Design program? If your student is passionate about storytelling, character design, world-building, and concept art, the Concept Track is an exciting opportunity to showcase their creativity and artistic abilities. However, preparing an effective portfolio requires more than simply presenting beautiful illustrations. ArtCenter wants to see how students develop imaginative ideas, solve creative problems, and

Looking for the best art classes for preschoolers in Irvine? Discover why introducing your child to art at ages 4–5 can build creativity, confidence, fine motor skills, and a lifelong love of learning. As parents, we all want to give our children the best possible start. We think about early education, reading, music, sports, and social activities. But one area that deserves just as much attention is early childhood art education. For children ages 4–5, art is much more than

Introduction: Does Your Student Need a Supplemental Portfolio for Harvard? For high school students with exceptional artistic abilities, a supplemental art portfolio can provide an additional opportunity to demonstrate their creativity, technical skills, and artistic vision during the Harvard College admissions process. However, parents should understand an important distinction: Harvard does not require every applicant to submit an art portfolio. Supplemental materials are o

Discover how a visual arts supplement can showcase your creativity, highlight your unique perspective, and add depth to your college application. Your Creativity Deserves to Be Seen College applications often emphasize academic performance, extracurricular activities, and personal essays. But what happens when a student has spent years developing a passion for drawing, painting, photography, digital art, or design? An arts supplement offers an opportunity to share that creati

For young artists, the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards offer an exciting opportunity to showcase creativity, gain recognition, and compete for scholarship opportunities. For graduating high school seniors, the Portfolio Awards provide an additional incentive to develop a thoughtful, cohesive collection of artwork that reflects their artistic growth, vision, and potential. With the right preparation, students can turn their creative work into a compelling portfolio that highli

For parents of young artists, competitions can sometimes feel confusing. When should your child start? How important is winning? And how can participation in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards support your child's artistic growth over time? The answer is simple: starting early gives students time to grow. The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards journey should not be viewed as a one-time competition. For many students, it can become a valuable opportunity to develop technical ski

If your child is a passionate young creative, applying to the Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) is likely a huge milestone on your radar. While the audition and placement process can feel overwhelming, understanding how the placement activities work, especially for popular programs like Visual Arts (Grades 7 through 12) and Design & Media (Grades 9 through 12), can help turn anxiety into excitement. Below is a breakdown of what OCSA judges are looking for and how you ca

At The Artist Lab, we believe that art is more than just pigment on a canvas it is a universal language of connection, healing, and joy. On April 19th, our team and a group of dedicated students had the incredible honor of putting that belief into practice at the Thompson Autism and Neurodevelopmental Center at CHOC. Wendy Altamirano, Executive Director at Thompson Autism and Neurodevelopmental Center at CHOC, a part of Rady Children’s Health with our students at the event. W

We have some incredible student news to share, along with a first look at our upcoming summer adventures and specialized training programs. 🌟 Student Spotlight: Big Wins for Our OCSA Hopefuls! We are absolutely thrilled to announce that several of our students have officially secured their spots at the Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) through the lottery! As many of you know, the lottery and audition process is incredibly competitive and can be a real nail-biter. Se

We recently had the pleasure of hosting a wonderful 7th birthday party at our art studio, and it was such a joyful event from start to finish. The theme of the day was Piggy, and the kids were so excited to create their own adorable pig paintings. As soon as everyone arrived, the room was filled with laughter and anticipation. Each child had a canvas, brushes, and bright paints ready to go. Our instructor guided them step by step, showing them how to build their piggy using s

Summer is almost here, and that means it is time for imagination, inspiration, and artistic growth at Summer Art and Design Camp 2026. From June 8 through August 14, young artists in grades 1 through 8 are invited to experience a summer filled with vibrant projects, hands on learning, and creative exploration. What Makes This Summer Special This year’s program focuses on transforming imagination into real artistic skills. Whether your child loves painting, digital design, sto

We are incredibly proud to celebrate our students’ outstanding achievements in this year’s Scholastic Art & Writing Awards , one of the most prestigious programs recognizing creative excellence among young artists and writers nationwide. Earning recognition at this level is no small feat. Entries awarded a Gold Key automatically advance to national level consideration , where students may receive Gold Medals, Silver Medals, and scholarship awards . One of the many benefits o

Open Class Events: Fine Art Portfolio Classes for Middle & High School Students Is your young artist ready to take their work to the next level? Our Open Class Events are designed specifically for students in grades 7–11 who want to build confidence, sharpen their skills, and begin creating a strong fine art portfolio. These focused studio classes offer hands-on instruction, personalized feedback, and the opportunity to complete high-quality portfolio pieces—all guided by ex

Digital art is no longer a niche skill—it’s a core foundation of modern design careers. From product visualization and 3D modeling to immersive experiences and entertainment media, digital art skills are shaping how ideas are created, communicated, and built. For students majoring in 3D design, industrial design, or digital art , a strong digital art program can be the bridge between creative passion and real-world career success. Digital Art as a Career-Ready Skillset A qual

There’s something timeless and magical about working with clay. From the feel of it in your hands to the excitement of opening the kiln, ceramics invites creativity, patience, and self-expression. Our Ceramics Program offers thoughtfully designed classes for every age—from young beginners to experienced adult artists—making it easy to find the perfect fit for you or your child. Whether you’re looking to explore a new hobby, build technical skills, or simply unwind in a creati

We’re excited to share some fantastic opportunities for your student to receive valuable feedback on their art portfolio from counselors, admissions teams, and faculty from top art and design schools worldwide. National Portfolio Day is a free event where high school and college students can meet with experts, receive personalized insights on their work, and gain guidance to help them prepare for the next steps in their academic and artistic journeys. In-Person Events: Nov. 1

We recently hosted an exciting Free Open Class designed to help young artists refine their portfolios, and it was a fantastic experience! Here's a quick look at what went down: Mixed Media Portrait Collage Participants dove into the world of mixed media, creating unique portrait collages using various materials and techniques. This hands-on activity helped students experiment with textures, colors, and unconventional materials, showcasing the power of combining different medi

Are you the parent of a young, budding artist—or is your child just beginning to explore the world of creativity? The Artist Lab is excited to invite middle school students (Grades 6–8) to a FREE Open Class that offers a hands-on introduction to building a strong art portfolio. 📅 Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
 🕥 Time: 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
 📍 Location: The Artist Lab, 5311 University Drive, Irvine, CA 92612 Learn from a Master Portfolio Director This dynamic workshop is l

Last week, The Artist Lab hosted its inaugural Charity Exhibition, a special event to support the CHOC Foundation. This event marked a beautiful intersection of art, community, and purpose, with 100% of the auction proceeds benefiting the Thompson Autism and Neurodevelopmental Center at CHOC. The exhibition, titled “Together,” aimed to celebrate the power of unity and collaboration, both through its theme and the cause it championed. The exhibit was more than just an art show

The Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) is a renowned institution known for cultivating young artists across various disciplines, and...