Ichen Art Academy — Local services in Fremont

Our two daughters have been taking art lessons at Ichen Art Academy for the last 7+ years (since elementary grade level). Initially, many years ago, we researched several art schools in the Bay Area, specifically in the South Bay, and even tried out a local one near our home for a year (and discovered the instruction was limited). Then we came upon Ichen Art Academy in Fremont, CA.

Both our girls have always been creative but needed more instruction on art techniques and development. A major attraction to their art program was the variety of lessons provided to enrich one’s mind to the world of art. Ichen Art provided classes on Sketching, Charcoal Drawing, Watercolor, Oil Painting, Chinese Calligraphy and Painting, and Digital Art. Our daughters took the foundational sketching class, which provided a very good opportunity to build one’s art skills.

The classes and programs offered are very structured and well organized. Their Fremont office manager, Jessica, has been very helpful with scheduling and class registration questions. In addition, not only is Ms. Ichen Wu (founder and principal) one of the instructors, Ichen Art also provides various specialized instructors for the art class offerings, from sketching to watercolor painting to oil painting to digital art to Chinese calligraphy, etc. It was very beneficial to see and learn art from various forms and perspectives.

Besides providing art classes, Ichen Art also provides other opportunities for students to enrich their art potential and personal development. They work closely with the Youth Art Foundation, a non-profit organization that helps provide art students leadership training and development (in which our oldest daughter is the student Director of Art). Ichen Art also invites art models to come in and pose for live body art sculpture drawing lessons. Ichen Art has also helped students participate and submit their work of art to various local and national art competitions, where several students have earned top awards, including our oldest daughter. Their various instructors also act as counselors/consultants to help with questions and guidance for the students. Our daughter's oil painting instructor, Ryan, has shared some great advice and guidance on painting perspectives and creating a portfolio. The academy also host seminars and webinars for students and parents that cover topics on developing art portfolios and college preparation. Our oldest daughter in high school developed an interest in fashion design and Ms. Wu set up fashion design lessons with a local instructor, which eventually led to the development of a summer fashion design program at the academy (and our daughter became a teacher assistant/co-instructor for the program).

The time invested in the Ichen Art Academy lessons and classes for our daughters have been very positive. Our oldest daughter’s interest in fashion design has led to her college pursuits having been accepted to the #1 fashion school in the US.

Overall, if you are looking for a great comprehensive art program with very positive results, check out Ichen...

I've been a student at Ichen Art Academy for over 4 years now, and needless to say, I've grown a lot within my passion because of the instruction I received at this school.

I came in with a love for art, but little knowledge in the technical aspects. Through Ichen's summer programs, I got to explore many different media including charcoal, oil painting, and digital. The academy's instructors are very well educated in the arts and provide a plethora of resources and materials to help me succeed. They provided guidance in composition, technique, color, etc. while motivating me to enter my art into competitions... ultimately which I won a few!

Ryan, Ichen Art Academy's Artist in Residence, has provided me with fantastic support over the years. I got a perfect balance of instruction and freedom to allow for the full expression of my artistry. I never felt bored or unmotivated because the instructors constantly provide me with ideas and recommendations when I'm stuck.

My AP and college application portfolios both contributed largely to my successful MIT and Harvard application processes, and I am forever indebted to my time at Ichen for this...

Both of my kids go to Ichen Art Academy every week. My son was initially hesitant to draw anything as he felt whatever he drew was not good enough. His art teacher, Wendy is extremely patient and loving. She spent time to learn about my son’s personality and designed a program to make him feel comfortable in expressing himself through art. My son has been with Wendy for a couple of years now and I am thrilled that he’s much more confident in drawing and he’s enjoying the class tremendously. My daughter also enjoys going to Ichen and I am very impressed to see the drawings that she brings home and happy on the progress that...