Laura Peisner
Woodland Hills
Summary
Classically trained artist and passionate educator with over 30 years of experience in both public and private education, including extensive work with diverse communities and special needs students. Demonstrated expertise in designing and implementing arts programs for children, youth, and adults. Skilled in arts administration, art education, community engagement, and international collaboration. Adept at working within city departments to manage art collections and facilitate public arts programming.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
Work History
Art Educator / Canoga Park Youth Art Center
Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs
01.2006 - Current
- Teaching process in a way that nurtures both skills and creative confidence
- Responsible for developing and implementing multi-media art programs for youth and teens ages 4-18yrs
- Specializing in both 2D and 3D curriculum
- Create and present exciting lesson plans that actively engage learners, while educating on classical artistic methodologies
- Manage logistics, curriculum design, and project execution, including the coordination of public workshops and the city's art exchange program
- Provide students with opportunities to reach their fullest potential through hands on creative expression, cognitive strategies and a broad range of historical and critical artistic information and production experiences using a media and learning a variety of technical skills
- Collaborate with international artists and institutions, including the 'Friends of Taxco' Sister City Program, for art exchanges between Los Angeles and Mexico
- Under the guidance of Pat Gomez, managed our city's $36 million Fine Art Collection, while conducting a 2 yr city wide art inventory, conservation, and public display coordination
Art Teacher
Kirk O' The Valley Preschool & Elementary School
01.2018 - 01.2022
- Company Overview: A small private school serving children from ages two to fifth grade
- Implementation of a Choice-Based Education model (also known as TAB - Teaching for Artistic Behavior) to foster creativity and artistic expression
- As I positioned students as artists, the art room became their studio, where they were encouraged to experiment with various media such as collage, printmaking, painting, clay, drawing, and architecture
- The environment was designed to nurture collaboration and artistic exploration, emphasizing the creative journey over the final product
- Through this approach, students were given the freedom to express their ideas, collaborate with peers, and embrace their own artistic process in a way that nurtured both their skills and their creative confidence
- Additionally, I implemented a strong classroom management style that fostered a positive and productive learning environment, encouraging respect, collaboration, and creativity among students
- I was also responsible for report cards, tracking student progress, and facilitating an annual art show and auction, which raised substantial funds for the school and helped support the students' artistic endeavors
- Led after-school art clubs, offering students additional opportunities to explore their creative interests outside of traditional class time.
Art Teacher
Serrania Charter Elementary
01.2017 - 01.2018
- Lead comprehensive art programs for over 1000 K-6 students, specializing in both 2D and 3D art forms
- Develop and execute curriculum that promotes creativity, artistic expression, and cultural awareness
- Collaborate with faculty to integrate art into the broader educational experience for students
Arts Educator
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
01.2008 - 01.2014
- Developed and led drop-in art workshops for families, creating engaging, hands-on activities for children and adults during special events
- Coordinated with museum director and staff to ensure smooth execution of workshops and managed teaching assistants
Owner / Art Teacher
The Learning Garden
01.2000 - 01.2003
- Founded and operated a private art school for children and adults, creating individualized curriculum that fostered creative expression
- Managed all aspects of business operations, including curriculum development, marketing, and customer relations
Teacher Specialist
The Help Group
01.1989 - 01.1999
- Designed and taught individualized programs for at-risk and special needs students, incorporating arts into therapy and education
- Collaborated with staff to modify curriculum and deliver lessons tailored to students with diverse learning challenges
Owner / Curator
Gallery X
01.1990 - 01.1992
- Company Overview: Hollywood, CA
- Founded, managed and curated a cutting-edge contemporary art gallery, overseeing exhibitions and events for over 40 emerging and established artists
- Responsible for the day-to-day gallery operations, including sales, marketing, and community outreach
- Organized monthly events raising money for various non-profit organizations, including Homeboy Industries and City Kids
- These events focused on supporting local children and helped foster a sense of community, while promoting social responsibility through art
Lead Artist / Muralist
01.2006
- Awarded a grant to design and execute a 350-foot mural on an elementary school campus in Chatsworth
- Supervised local teenagers in the painting process, integrating community service hours into the mural project
Education
B.A. - Fine Art
California State University, Northridge
01.1987
Ongoing continuing education -
01.2025
Associates in Art - Illustration / Sculpture
01.1997
California Institute of Art - Illustration
01.1988
Skills
- Curriculum development
- Multi-media art programs
- Community Outreach
- Art program management
Continuing Education
- 2023, Portrait Sculpting Workshop, Roquefort-des-Corbières, France
- 2022, Portrait & Figure Sculpting, Upstate NY with Philippe Faraut
- Ongoing training in life drawing, painting, and sculpture.
Publications
The Hopeful Prince, 2016, Author & Illustrator, thehopefulprince.com
Timeline
Art Teacher
Kirk O' The Valley Preschool & Elementary School
01.2018 - 01.2022
Art Teacher
Serrania Charter Elementary
01.2017 - 01.2018
Arts Educator
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
01.2008 - 01.2014
Art Educator / Canoga Park Youth Art Center
Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs
01.2006 - Current
Lead Artist / Muralist
01.2006
Owner / Art Teacher
The Learning Garden
01.2000 - 01.2003
Owner / Curator
Gallery X
01.1990 - 01.1992
Teacher Specialist
The Help Group
01.1989 - 01.1999
Ongoing continuing education -
Associates in Art - Illustration / Sculpture
California Institute of Art - Illustration
B.A. - Fine Art
California State University, Northridge
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