I started going to Watts Atelier on weekends to ge...

I started going to Watts Atelier on weekends to get better at drawing and unplug. I was attracted to the quality of the art in the brochure, which was kind of intimidating. After getting a BFA from a 4 year school the prices seemed really reasonable also, and I wasn't satisfied with the fine art education I received previously and wanted to get "back into it".

I went to a new student orientation and it exceeded my expectations in every way. The community here caters to casual artists, full time professionals, and everyone in between. Men and women, young and old, novice and master, all work side by side. The atmosphere is challenging but supportive. It's rare to find people so highly skilled in art who also teach.

I know online reviews tend towards hyperbole but I've been to many art schools and Watts Atelier is not only the best art school I've been to, it's the best learning environment I've ever been a part of. The people, the place, the program... it created a kind of alchemy that changed my life.

Just a generic building in an office park, next to a dentist, with no campus and no dorm and no loan office, with 15 parking spots and a dumpster full of pencil shavings... changed your life?

Yes. To call this place a hidden gem is a criminal understatement. Despite my best efforts the teachers actually got me to improve and after several years of weekend classes I switched to full time, learned painting as well as drawing, and now work as a fine artist. And I'm not the only one. So if I had any words of caution to prospective students I would say be careful or you might walk in a casual and end up changing your career. :)