A COMMUNITY ART CENTER

Art Trek, Inc. is a nonprofit arts organization and arts center whose mission is to bring quality art experiences into the classroom and community. Active since 1992, Art Trek has been creating positive and confidence-building experiences for individuals of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds: in kinder through college classrooms, public venues, our studio, and wherever we can meet a need.

We commit to extending ourselves into high-risk programs for underserved and needy populations, senior programs, social service programs, and to educators in professional training workshops. As of 2020, Art Trek teachers and volunteers reach over 50,000 youth and adults annually via STEAM, cross-cultural, cross-curricula, fine arts, team-building, and expressive workshops.

Our staff, public participants, volunteers, and teachers focus not only on the technical aspects of the arts but also recognize how engagement can positively affect the lives of the participants. Art Trek workshops impart basic to advanced art skills, problem-solving strategies, goal setting, project completion, art history, vocabulary, and of course... personal and creative expression.

Over the course of our history, we have served not only our home community of Greater Conejo Valley, but also have established programs from Long Beach to Santa Barbara. In fact—to put a feather in our cap—Art Trek programs have been taught in Canada, China, Japan, the United Kingdom, Italy, aboard a boat on the Mediterranean Sea, and in Honduras with the help of Rotary Club of Westlake Village Sunrise. Our lessons have been introduced to communities throughout the United States.

So… if you're walking the Pacific Crest Trail and find our trademark Shibori banners along the way, they probably started right here in Ventura County!

Racial Equity Statement

Art Trek stands deeply committed to understanding and building inclusivity. From the initial vision of our founder through the development of our diverse Board, to our response to the pandemic, we have remained dedicated to making the arts accessible to all. Our belief in equal access to the arts is the bedrock on which our organization stands. We invite all people inclusive of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, ability, and age to find their voice through artistic pursuits.

Where We Are

Docent Training

TESTIMONIALS

"I would like to take a moment to express our community's appreciation for another wonderful year of Art Trek. It is such a gift to have focused, professional art program for our students. Energy runs high on Art Trek days and the students look forward to time with their Art Trek teachers.

These women move up the grades with the children, and so develop a connection with them, adding yet another layer of caring individuals and great role models to their young lives. The art produced each time never ceases to amaze me! I marvel at the fact that the first grade does the same thing as the eighth and the resulting art is beautiful at each level!

The students are learning techniques and use of media which they apply to other projects. I believe that it [boosts] their self-esteem also, and allows them to discover and develop talents in a meaningful and fun way. It has been a worthwhile investment to provide Art Trek for our kindergarten class also; they bring a more developed skill set to first grade when the program "officially" begins for them. "

-Mary Ann Murphy
Principal at Immaculate Conception School

"I really love Art Trek! The instructors are the best! They are clear, concise, friendly and thorough. The lessons can be taught to any grade level and adapted for cross-curricular teaching."

- J. Hernandez
4th Grade Teacher at St. Aloysius School

"This is a great program because it teaches art skills that we can teach our students, but it is actually more than just art. We are actually teaching our students how to see things from a different perspective, how to problem solve, and how to have an artistic outlet."

- Anonymous
7th Grade Teacher at Nativity Catholic School

"Art Trek is the perfect venue to host parties, team building and network events for both children and adults. The atmosphere is relaxed and fun and encourages our members to get their creative juices flowing. There is ample space and plenty of resources to help inspire one's inner artist. The staff at Art Trek show an in-depth knowledge of art, and are friendly and extremely helpful. They provide detailed directions during our group art sessions as well as plenty of time for our members to experiment and explore with various materials and techniques. We feel lucky to have such a wonderful Art Studio on our doorstep."

- K. Campuzano
Transitions

"Art Trek provides a wonderful vehicle for our students to not only learn about and experience a wide range of artistic techniques, but also gives them a unique opportunity to express their creativity. Partnering with Art Trek allows our school to continue to fulfill our commitment to nurture well-rounded individuals. I also very much appreciate the ability for our parents to participate in the program in such a meaningful way as class docents -- I think they enjoy the classes as much as the students! "

- Docent
Saint Mary Magdalen School

“We loved having our Art trek docent come teach art last year. It was fun to see how 5 and 6 year olds could grasp the art concepts and produce quality projects. Our Art trek docent would carefully break down the projects into small steps and every child was a success! Both our T.K. and Kinder students were so proud to display their amazing artwork throughout the year!”

- Anonymous
Kindergarten Teacher at Glenwood Elementary

Ascension Lutheran School
Cornerstone at Pedregal Elementary School
Cypress Elementary
Ladera Elementary
Meiners Oaks
Our Lady of Assumption Catholic School
St. Mary Magdalen School
Sunset Elementary l
Topanga Elementary Charter School
White Oak Elementary
Willow Elementary

Oxnard ASES

Cesar E. Chavez Elementary
Curren Elementary
Driffill Elementary
Juan Lagunas Soria Elementary
Kamala Elementary
Lemonwood Elementary
Thurgood Marshall Elementary

Hueneme ASES

Ansgar Larsen Elementary
Art Haycox Elementary
Charles F. Blackstock Junior High School
Fred L. Williams Elementary
Green Junior High School
Hueneme Elementary
Julien Hathaway Elementary
Parkview Elementary
Richard Bard Elementary
Sunkist Elementary

Porteous Family Foundation

Art Trek 4 Teachers

Assumption Elementary
Blessed Sacrament
Holy Innocents
Nativity
Resurrection
Sacred Heart
Santa Teresita
St. Columbkille
St. Louis of France
St. Malachy
St. Mary's - Palmdale
St. Rose of Lima School

Specialty Family Foundation

Ascension
Dolores Mission
Guardian Angel
Our Lady of Peace
St. Aloysius
St. Eugene
St. Michael
St. Patrick

Youth Outreach

BreakThrough
Casa Pacifica - Centers for Children & Families
Girl Scouts of California's Central Coast
Thousand Oaks Teen Center
Thousand Oaks Youth Commission
Ventura County Office of Education - Teens Kick Ash

Seniors

Holiday Retirement Simi Valley
Malibu Senior Center
Senior Concerns
University Village

Special Programs

Cancer Support Community
PathPoint
Safe Passage
Oxnard Summer Program for students with special needs