Since I opened my atelier in Saratoga in 2012, and while I was Atelier Program Director for New Museum Los Gatos from 2025 to 2020, I have invited over 15 fellow professional artists to teach intensive workshops. I have now organized over 50 workshops and I want to reflect on that experience.
I began learning in Ateliers in the 1990s at the revival of atelier training. My own studies were in Seattle, Washington, Santa Fe, New Mexico, France, Norway and New York City. I would say the biggest influence would be the life work of Jacob Collins and his creation of The Grand Central Atelier.
The artists I chose to host in my own atelier include the following.
David Gray from Tacoma, Washington
Jim McVicker from Lolita, California
Conor Walton from Wicklow, Ireland
Warren Chang from Monterey, California
Cuong Nguyen from Willow Glen, California
Adrien Gottlieb from Los Angeles, California
Elizabeth Zanzinger from Oakland, California
Randall Sexton from the San Francisco Bay Area, California
Felicia Forte from San Francisco, California
Robert K Semans from San Jose, California
Brianna Lee hardy from Visalia, California
Mildrid Hankinson from San Francisco, California
Angela Cunningham from Santa Cruz, California
Kai Lun Qu from Los Angeles, California
Sandra Sanchez, New York, New York
Zhaoming Wu, El Cerrito, California
Oliver Sin, San Francisco, California
George O'Hanlon and Tatiana Zaytseva of Natural Pigments
The reason I hosted so many artists over these years is because I was curious. I was curious about how each of them painted and I was lead by the curiosity of what common knowledge they all shared, that I can practice in my own instruction. Eventually I decided I had achieved fulfillment and I now only host one workshop per year.
Hosting and organizing is something I enjoyed because I take the responsibility of preparation very seriously. I love the fine detail and effort required to accommodate each artist. The requirements of each artists can be very unique and specific. By the time the studio has been prepared I can relax knowing that the guest teacher and the visiting students have walked into a studio that is so well prepared that everyone can relax and enjoy the experience of demonstration and practice.
I also enjoy meeting and preparing for each guest student. Since 2012 I have welcomed hundreds of artists from all over the world and I must say, it has gone very smoothly and I made many friends.
I consider it a privilege to have worked with so many great world class artists, models, and students.
David Gray 2016
Jim McVicker 2019
Sandra Sanchez in 2023
Adrien Gottlieb in 2016
Elizabeth Zanzinger in 2014
Visiting Artist Workshops at Art Students' Atelier draw world class teachers from the global Atelier community. These are highly enjoyable and educational experiences for the students, teachers and models.
When you join a Visiting Artist Workshop expect to meet many kindred spirits from far and wide. Your teachers will demonstrate for the class and devote special personal time with each individual. Each Artist brings a unique personal wealth of experience.
Workshops are typically all day classes over a span of two to five days.
The studio is located at 14443 B Big Basin Way, Saratoga, CA 95070
Contact Gabriel Coke at artstudentsatelier@gmail.com
831-345-1845
Workshops are nonrefundable. They are transferable if postponed and rescheduled. If a workshop is cancelled a full refund is given.
