Today we’d like to introduce you to Molly Wang.
Today we’d like to introduce you to Molly Wang.
Molly, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Thanks very much for this opportunity to speak to your readers. Here is the nutshell version of my personal story:
I grew up in China and had a wonderful childhood since I was fortunate to have parents who give me lots of freedom to explore the world. That’s large because my mom is an artist (who later became an entrepreneur), and my dad is an “old-school” architect.
When I turned 16, my parents enabled me to move to the U.S. and attend American schools. This eventually included Stanford Graduate School of Business, and went on to continue my family’s business and later create my own import/export company in the US.
In 2009, my mother moved here and started a very informal art studio (in our garage!) for local kids to come and learn how to create art. We didn’t know it at the time, but this laid the foundation for what was to become Studio ArtHaus.
I was so impressed by the big difference this modest studio made in those kids’ lives – how it went even beyond art – that I joined forces with my Mom and happliy volunteered my time in order to help the art studio to grow and thrive. Even though I’m not an artist myself, I do have the skills (and certainly the passion and motivation) to nurture and support people who want to create art.
After having lived in China, Japan and San Francisco, I feel exceedingly happy to now call San Diego my home. So many people here – of all ages – are brimming with talent and energy that it’s absolutely essential they get the opportunity to learn to create art, as they also form bonds with fellow artists along the way.
Currently, although I devote most of my time and energies to Studio ArtHaus, I’m also very active in a non-profit animal rescue NGO that I co-founded.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Nearly everyone has been adversely affected by Covid, and we’ve definitely had our share of challenges and obstacles. Because the pandemic meant we couldn’t use the studio space for any in-person classes, enrollment abruptly dropped, and many of our teachers needed to relocate, leaving San Diego entirely. As our landlord declined to offer any help, we couldn’t afford to pay the rent, and soon we were very close to shutting down the studio for good.
Like so many other people and businesses, we felt utterly helpless watching the pandemic’s unprecedented events unfold. The future was incredibly uncertain, causing all kinds of stress.
Our first response was to produce pre-recorded lessons to share, but the critical breakthrough came when we hosted a virtual, live-streaming students’ art show over Zoom, the first of many to come. It was a big hit!
Also, to our wonder and delight, more than 20 families offered to continue paying the monthly tuition no matter their child’s attendance in our Zoom classes – just to help keep the studio afloat until restrictions were lifted.
Their passion and enthusiasm for the studio moved me so much that I redoubled my determination to keep ArtHaus going strong – to keep my mom’s original creation of an art studio for local kids alive and well. That inspired me to take a leap of faith and make additional investments so the studio could move to a wonderful new location in the Carmel Mountain area.
You can imagine my joy, then, when we were finally able to welcome students back into our creative world for summer art camps in 2021 last year! What had been an overwhelming challenge turned into a blessing in disguise. We now have an amazing new studio that befits the passion we all share for ArtHaus and that serves as a grounding anchor in our community.
We’ve been impressed with Studio ArtHaus, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
First and foremost, I want it to be clear that Studio ArtHaus is open to practically everyone, and that very much includes adults although we primarily serve kids K through 12. We believe deeply in the power of art to literally transform lives. It’s as fundamental to the human soul as breathing.
Just as important, everyone on staff is there because they love-love-love what they do. It’s the first thing these super-talented artists think about when they awake and the last thing when they finally plop their creative brains down on their respective pillows.
Mainly, we give kids the tools and teach the techniques every artist needs. We also provide support, encouragement, and, hopefully, inspiration when needed. But – the areas our students want to explore and what they want to create using those tools and techniques is up to them. Kids gotta be free! No cookie-cutter regimentation. Everyone creates their own vision.
Needless to say, class size is very important, so we work to keep the numbers of students as few per class as possible to give as much individual attention as we can. This personalized approach continues throughout as we help guide students in the direction that’s best for them.
Studio ArtHaus is located in the Carmel Mountains area, and we serve the local community, with our specialties being art lessons as well as camps for kids up to high school seniors. Free sample lessons are offered so would-be students can “test drive” our school before committing.
We’re especially proud of the fact that so many young people come to us on the recommendation of friends. I think that speaks volumes about the quality of our incredible instructors as well as the studio itself.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Instead of pointing to a specific incident, I’d rather give you a composite of memories.
I vividly recall a scene that took place countless times while I was growing up. It’s the weekend or a holiday, so my mom is free to paint out on the patio of our small apartment.
Meanwhile, my dad would be rummaging through many rolls of his architectural blueprints (no digital then, just hard copies). He would give me an “assignment”: go locate a certain blueprint, then bring him the parcel number from it. After hunting down the blueprint, I’d dutifully write the number on my hand with a ballpoint pen then hurry to show him.
In addition, my mom made me her “executive assistant” in charge of setting up, cleaning up, and refilling the water for her watercolors. Supporting my creative family like this gave me such a great sense of satisfaction!
It’s occurred to me that being involved with Studio ArtHaus is an extension of that same thing. I get enormous fulfillment from being helpful to others.
So, after years in the business world, I discovered my real passion in life: to be of service to our community by helping this art studio thrive and by supporting kids and teens in developing their artistic skills so they have a vibrant outlet for their creative expression. I ask you: what could be better than that?
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.arthaus5.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthaus5studio/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arthaus5studio
