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 accomplishment. read more

Really good art school. All teachers are professional, knowledgable and nice. They are experienced and tenured in their teaching, and have enough knowledge to know how to work with your child(ren) and help them improve. A nice clean facility also promotes learning. Additionally, I really appreciate how they are willing to work with you on your schedule --- and to accommodate make up classes as necessary. Highly Recommended! read more

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I have studied with Ichen since high school and the teachers have all been very helpful. They helped me a lot with getting a 5 on the AP art portfolio and getting into Artcenter College of Art and Design! There are plenty of teachers who have experience in design and art as a career, as well as art college professors who also teach here. Developing these portfolios can also help with applying to schools such as UCLA and Carnegie Mellon. read more

Good place.. The people who manage the place are nice but greedy too. The classes are over filled with kids.

This is a professional and quality academy institution. My daughter and me both enjoy art classes and learn a lot there. read more

Ichen Art Academy - Summer Camps Near Me - Pleasanton, California

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Yes I agree with one of the reviewers - lots of kids, and the owner is like a greedy marketing executive. The owner would keep promoting the school and its different classes during teaching or whenever she gets a chance, which is distracting. I mean the school's website and email communications are already informative and up-to-date. Tuition is on the high side and they have a special payment plan and make sure you check it out before committing to it. Some of my friends completed their summer programs and were told to continue taking classes unrelated to what they wanted and learnt in summer. They talk about AP courses all the time and totally forget about the fundamentals of taking art classes which are to learn to express yourselves and encourage creativities. read more

I really enjoyed my time at Ichen Art Academy. There is a wide selection of classes that cater to different needs and interests, such as Chinese painting, Digital Art, Sketching, etc. You can tell from the teachers' attitudes during class that they dedicate the utmost attention to their students and work on improving their art skills. I would highly recommend checking this school out! read more

My 8 year son started at this art academy less than half year ago and has been enjoying the art classes there ever since. Instructors and work staff are all very helpful and friendly. Highly recommend! read more

My daughter has been going here for over 3 years. She absolutely loves it. It's one of her favorite activities after school. The teachers did a wonderful job keeping students engaged. I can really see the great progress she made the past few years. Our 5 year old is getting interested in art too. She will be joining this school very soon. read more

Below is my review 3 years ago in March 2013 with an update that follows: My son took 4 sessions of Summer Camp last year and loves it so much we continued with Ichen Art Academy for 2 classes during the semester. The teachers are professional and really work hard to help the children improve their skills and express themselves through art. I highly recommend this school! As of today 04/06/2016, my older son has been studying at Ichen's for 3 years, second son for about 2 years, and a close friend's son for over 1 year. I have continued to send my sons and recommended others to go to Ichen's because I see how much they learn and grow both in art and in personal character. When they were younger, my sons took Creative Arts as recommended which helped them learn confidence in their creativity, basic techniques, and storytelling through art. After about a year, I enrolled them in the Chinese Painting and Calligraphy classes. My older son has earned over 5 awards in Bay Area and national competitions all in first or second places in Chinese Painting and Calligraphy classes over the last 3 years, and my younger son and friend's son are both nationally competitive as well. However, what I respect most about Ichen is not her extremely professional art instructions, the pleasant environment in her schools, her genuine love for her students, nor her willingness to attend to each student's individual needs. I am sure all of the above helped the children achieve their confidence and awards in art. I feel what makes Ichen and her programs so special is that she teaches patience, persistence, discipline, kindness and self-motivation through art. Ichen motivates her students well beyond what they think they are capable of. She is there when they fall short and teaches them how to succeed through learning from themselves. She does so through her patience, kindness, and her example as a teacher. The results are amazing and you can see personal growth in her students' wonderful art work. I think that is what makes Ichen and her school above and beyond what a regular art teacher or program could offer. I would rate Ichen and her school 6 stars if I could. I am grateful for everything that she has taught my children including art and beyond. I recommend her school and programs wholeheartedly. read more

My both girls are taking lessons at Ichen Art Academy in Pleasanton. They like theirs teachers and the office assistant Tiffany so much! My younger one who's 9 years old is taking drawing level 1 now with Raymond and previously she took creative drawing aimed 5-8 years old with LJ. Both teachers are really good at inspiring younger kids. My older one is 12 years old. She had been with the owner, Mrs IChen Wu, the founder of this art school for three years to learn chinese painting. Mrs Wu is very famous at Chinese painting and calligraphy in Bay Area. Most important, she is very good at teaching and made the class fun not boring. My older girl had taken drawing lessons with teacher Dianiel and Sam. She is currently taking AP art class with Ryan. All of the teachers have strong education background and numerous working experience in various art media. read more

My kid start creative drawing class at Ichen Art Academy at 5 years old. He started to love drawing and continued painting class till now. All teachers are professional and creative in many different visual and artistic ways. We are very satisfied and highly recommend ! read more

My daughter started attending Ichen Art Academy this school year. She really likes to have drawing lessons here. The teachers are professional and nice, full of knowledge in the art field. read more

I love Ichen art academy they have the best teachers and best art designs.Im in the Chinese art class and they have the best idea of art there. There are other classes such as oil painting sketch class also children's creative art,Chinese painting & Calligraphy,and watercolor. I think you will love it if you learned art here. You also have so much fun drawing there. I'm sure you'll love it there. Hopefully you can join an art class!!!!! read more

My daughter Samantha started to take the Chinese Brush Paining Class about five months ago. She loves the class and her teacher. The classroom is well organized and the facility is nice and clean. Her teacher is passionate, patient and professional! She has made a good progress since she started. read more

My daughter has been taking Chinese painting class for 1.5 years and is loving it. She is continuing for another year. Teacher Wu is patient and teaches great techniques and fundamentals. Highly recommend her and Ichen Art read more

My daughter has been this studio for 5 years. She is very enjoying her painting class. All teachers are professional, patient and nice! Strongly recommended! read more

This art school is very great for kids. My son has been in the drawing class here for years. He has learn a lot and now is very good at drawing. Teacher Sam and Ryan are very nice and patient, and the stuff Tiffany and Jessica are very friendly. I am also learning Chinese brush painting here from teacher Ichen. She is very professional. I highly recommend this art school. read more