Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawn K. Carson.
Shawn, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Years ago, my parents met at an art college in Detroit, Michigan and I attended that same college two decades later. After graduating I moved to Houston and, like my parents, I met the love of my life at an art school as well. Heather and I both share a passion for the arts. Now our family is continuing the Carson family’s artistic tradition, from my parents to their grand children. Carson’s Art School is our latest and greatest adventure.
I have been teaching art since the age of 15. I helped found an art school in Houston around 25 years ago. In 2014 we were excited about the opportunity to bring our professional art classes to the Katy area. Carson’s Art School is a family owned and operated Art Instruction School focused on developing the individual talents imparted to each of our students young and old. A desire was planted within them and it’s our mission to nurture and grow that desire into a realized dream. Whether you’re looking for a place to develop your creativity or you’re seeking a career in art, we have the ability to further your art education.
We stress the fundamentals and teach One on One so each new artist can work on their own personal projects at their own comfortable pace. After the first few fundamental lessons, the program is customized by the student. They are free to explore different media, subject matters, or styles. We have classes for kids, teens, and adults, plus, we can handle all skill levels, from beginners to advanced artists.
Our latest project is starting some online and downloadable video art lessons. Still in the early stages and hope to get it rolling next year.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I was working at a successful art school in Houston for 20 years and then my boss has a stroke. I had no paperwork that showed I was a co-founder and vice president. My boss had tax problems in the past and wanted to keep me as a paid contractor, to protect me. However, his wife did not like the business and wanted to close it. There wasn’t anything I could legally do to stop it.
My boss did come back but could no longer run it like he had, and he didn’t want to sell it to me. The new people that took over didn’t do it correctly and I ended up with no paycheck for 8 weeks in a 3 month period. I figured If I started a business all my own I could do at least that well. I took the bad times I was going through and turned them into a new opportunity.
Many of my former students wished we had a location in Katy Texas. This is where my Church was so with their help I opened my very own Art School in one of their meeting rooms. I ended up having to move to a new church as they expanded, but I have expanded as well. I now teach at three different locations during the week. I didn’t intend on having a mobile school but it keeps the cost down as I search for a building of my own.
Each year we have grown and expanded. I hope this trend is enough to get our own piece of land or building soon. I believe once I have an actual building our growth will explode. I can hang my student’s artwork, keep signs up 24/7, have open houses, host special events, rent out gallery space, used for church events and programs….and many other ideas that I currently cannot do. I see good opportunities on the horizon. They may still seem far away, but now I can recognize my destination and I’m driven to reach it.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Carson’s Art School – what should we know?
We teach one on one to fit the program to each students skill level and interests. We also help build portfolios for teens that want to get into an art college. Every student I have created portfolios with have been accepted to the school they applied to. Many art schools work with kids but we also offer serious art classes for adults which is not as easy to find.
Another unique aspect we offer is a Drawn to His Presence program. A Christian Arts program to help people re-connect with God or use their God-given talent to help spread His love to others. This program will expand more once we get our own location. Check out our website for the various class ideas.
Not only do I specialize in helping advance artist reach a new level, I have the ability to help someone with no apparent talent create better works of art than they thought possible. Sometimes this requires patience more than talent, but if you trust me and listen well I can make anyone a better artist. Maybe not to master level, but art will become much more satisfying and they will make real progress.
Check out our before and after drawings to see some of the transformations. With a little patience and some tricks of the trade, I have even helped handicapped students get more rewarding results. You don’t need the talent to get better, that can be taught. patience and desire are more important.
Our best advertising is our student’s artwork.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I see more online classes or art videos you can download. However, it is hard to replace a live teacher. A present teacher can save so much time and help students avoid mistakes or misunderstandings. I am trying to create a live online art class that could be international. It is hard to find the right software and hardware to make it work.
One thing about art that is nice, it is hard to replace with robots or computers. There will always be some demand for creative educators and artistic creators. Even if it means teaching with computers.
Pricing:
- Kids and teens, $35 per class. (usually $140 for a month with 4 classes, coming once a week)
- Adults pay 6 classes at a time, $185, and they can customize their schedule.
- Summer, Winter, Spring camps are attended one full 5 day week at a time. half day $175, full day $340
Contact Info:
- Address: 13314 Bridgewalk Ln. Houston, TX 77041
- Website: www.carsonsartschool.com
- Phone: 281-507-3039
- Email: carsonsartschool@gmail.com
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