Fine Art, In Stride: ArtSteps Costa Mesa

Hilary Key has always seen the world through an artistic lens. “My whole life, I drew. I got to take a few art lessons here and there,” she explains. “I remember in junior high, I suffered from some really low self-esteem. I hung onto that thought, knowing, ‘I can draw.’”

Hilary believes lots of kids need to draw. “It fills something that won’t be filled any other way,” she says. “So I deeply understand what they are connecting to, when they sketch.”

Hilary is the director and owner of ArtSteps, an art studio here in Costa Mesa. The program focuses on providing a solid foundation in classical, realistic drawing – and painting – in an atmosphere of kindness and mutual respect.

While ArtSteps is directed towards children, anyone can learn how to draw and paint by following the program.

ART EDU: CEO OF ARTSTEPS COSTA MESA, HILARY KEY, HAS A PASSION FOR TEACHING ART.

ArtSteps began in 1999, when Hilary, a recent art-school grad, learned to teach others about her passion through a curriculum designed by Ed and Sher Warren. Ed, a professional award-winning artist, and Sher, an English teacher, were frustrated that the arts were getting cut in their local, Los Angeles schools. They developed their own comprehensive curriculum, and began to pass it on to other teachers.

Hilary fell in love with the program, and decided to start her own studio in Orange County, using the Warren method. She opened her first Yorba Linda studio in 2000, and then a second studio in Mission Viejo in 2006, which relocated to Laguna Hills in 2018.

As ArtSteps was continuing to grow and thrive, she kept receiving requests for a studio in Costa Mesa. Hilary loves the vibrancy and electric energy of our city. “The families are lovely,” she says, “and there’s so much creativity here!”

So the third location opened in Costa Mesa in May of 2018, and has been thriving ever since.

“ARTISTS ARE THE QUESTIONERS OF OUR SOCIETY,” AT ARTSTEPS COSTA MESA.

ArtSteps offers classes for ages 4 and up, with special class times directed to homeschool students, and an evening class for teens and adults. With a varied schedule of more than 20 classes per week, plus special workshops in clay and other media, the studio is a haven for any creative-minded artist.

“We specialize in beginners, but every class is customized to your level,” says Hilary.

Robin, the studio manager, tells me all ArtSteps teachers are well trained for the classroom. Each instructor gets at least 60 hours of in-person artwork training and classroom guidance. All have already received (or are working toward) a degree in fine art.

Hilary and Robin walk me through the library of curriculum, where each lesson is broken down into small, simple steps that are easy to follow. Hilary tells me that the curriculum is constantly being reviewed, and renewed, to ensure it’s up to date.

The Costa Mesa studio is light, bright and open. The walls are filled with colorful work by students and instructors. All the art supplies are out on open shelves, easily accessible and visible for everyone.

Two young students are hard at work as I pass by, diligently choosing colors, and merrily completing their assignments.

“THERE’S SO MUCH CREATIVITY HERE!” AT ARTSTEPS COSTA MESA.

“Artists are the questioners of our society,” says Hilary. “Art causes a different type of learning. It encourages us to observe and question the world. You learn to have patience, and what you notice immediately is different than what reveals itself to you over time.”

From my own art experience, I’ve discovered that when you learn to see like an artist, your perspective on the world shifts completely. You notice the colors around you in a different way. You start to see shapes and lines, where you once saw only objects and forms.

This new perspective can be invaluable to learn at a young age. The team at ArtSteps is so passionate about bringing art to young students that may not otherwise have access, they’ve launched a sister, non-profit organization, Bright Artists. Currently serving three schools in the Placentia/Yorba Linda school district, the program teaches art to students in third through sixth grades.

Hilary hopes to eventually expand that program, bringing drawing and watercolor, and other art instruction, into hospitals and other schools, too.

For now though, there is plenty to learn right here at ArtSteps in Costa Mesa. “We look forward to being a steady presence in the community, and welcoming anyone who is interested in the serious, meditative study of the basics of art.”

Anyone can do it, Hilary says with a smile. Adults too.

“Once you have the fundamentals down, all doors are open.” ♥

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You can find the schedule for ArtSteps classes, as well as pricing and upcoming workshops, online at artstepsclasses.com. The Costa Mesa ArtSteps is located at 1525 Mesa Verde Dr. E, #119. Follow ArtSteps on Instagram or Facebook to see students in action and their artwork.

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