Our History

The Founders

It all started with a dream of teaching art, to children and teens imparting time-honored, classical realism. When Ed and Sher’s children came home from elementary school with assignments to draw things as difficult as an “Indian village” or a “whale” for school projects, Ed realized that children were being asked to do what they had never been trained to do. A child wouldn’t be asked to compose a musical piece without training, or to bake a fancy cake without having learned measurement and how to read and follow a recipe. Artistic ability, on the other hand, is somehow considered to be innate. Assignments like those only help to create frustration and lack of confidence. This is why the majority of adults we have asked tell us, “I can’t even draw a straight line. I could never be an artist.”

That is how it all started. In 1986, Ed and Sher Warren combined their talents, and opened the first Drawn2Art studio (formerly known as KidsArt). They borrowed a classroom where they taught school, and from there it blossomed. From the beginning, demand was tremendous, as not only were students on campus taking art classes with Ed, but word was spreading, and parents were driving long distances to bring their students to him. That was the impetus for expansion. Sher created an entire organizational structure to support the rapid growth of multiple art studios and their large school Enrichment program. Within the first five years, Ed and Sher had opened five art studios, and the after-school Enrichment program grew to be offered in twenty-five public and private schools. The dream had been realized and went even beyond their expectations.

Since that time, as COO, Sher works closely with Co-Owners, Studio Directors, and Managers to enhance the many Drawn2Art programs that reach a wide population in southern and northern California, Oregon and the state of Washington.

The Second Generation

Over the years, Ed has not only been a mentor to thousands of students, but he has trained hundreds of teachers as well, including his two daughters, Rachael Cartwright and Anna Sheklow, who have chosen careers running their own Drawn2Art studios. Both have worked side-by-side with Ed and Sher since they were teenagers, learning all facets of the administrative and artistic programs that have made Drawn2Art so successful. After completing their college and graduate school educations, they have opened and run multiple studios of their own, and have been a true inspiration to their teams. Their contributions have positively touched the lives of countless staff and students.

Because of the great enthusiasm and dedication to quality art education that Ed, Sher and their daughters have maintained over the years, many Drawn2Art students grew up to become Drawn2Art teachers (after completing their art degrees), and others went on to successful careers in other art related fields. Their unwavering integrity towards the quality of the program has brought to so many a real understanding of how to draw and paint classically. From a small after-school program, started more than thirty five years ago, Drawn2Art programs now teach over 5000 students in our combined studios in California, Oregon, Washington, and North Carolina.