WCAAD student Steve You earned acceptance to the prestigious Pratt Institute –Architecture in 2018 with a scholarship of $26,000 per year total $104,000. 

He wrote a comment about our school on Yelp.
 
“I have been here for art classes for more than two years. Mrs. Wang is such a nice person, she cares about every of her students. Most of her teachers are very experienced in teaching. Omar, one of her best teacher, helped me on my college portfolio. I think my success in college will not exist without Mrs. Wang’s art academy.” ----Steve You

WCAAD student Brenda Yi was accepted by School of the  Art Institute of Chicago（SAIC ）- Fine Arts in 2020 with a scholarship of $17,850/yr total $71,400.

She wrote a comment about our school on Yelp.

“I feel very lucky and grateful that my parents found this academy.  I finished my college entry portfolio here; got into my dreams schools and got a good scholarship. During the progress of making portfolio, I learned not only drawing and painting skills, but also how to think creatively and to come up with stories and concepts.  Thanks to Omar, he helped me a lot!! Also thanks to Jack, I am able to use Photoshop to do digital arts!” -- Brenda Yi

 WCAAD student Qiuya Chen was accepted by University of Southern California--Game Design in 2021.

In 2015 she wrote a comment about our school on Yelp.

“Their teachers are really professional, and all the materials are really useful!  I’m a student at West California Academy of Art and Design, they don’t only offer the teaching, they also help the students on their college preparation.  You can easily get along with the teachers and all of them are very nice and enjoy teaching you art. All the contests you chose t enter will have a greater percentage of winning.  Plus, not like some place else you don’t need to send the drawing on yourself.  It is really a great deal to learn at WCAAD.”— Qiuya Chen

2022 CACP “Better Buildings, Better Future, Better Planet” Painting Contest announced winners recently, and 9 students from West California Academy of Art and Design（WCAAD）won the Architecture Art Award.

​The WCAAD winners are: David Wang, Diana Li, Jonathan Chu, Michelle Zhang, Ruijie Yang, Teddy Zhang, Connie Zhao, Anson Mai, Lucas Liang

​The “Better Buildings, Better Future, Better Planet” Painting Contest was organized by CACP -- Chinese American Construction Professionals.

​Establishedin1982, CACP has been serving the community and nurturing the construction professionals for almost 40 years. Its members are from various design, construction, and development disciplines including Architecture, Contracting, Engineering, Inspections, Finance, Material Supply, Real Estate, and Utilities.

​According to WCAAD Principal Lei Wang, architecture and drawing are closely related. “Architecture Is Art.” She said, “Many of our graduates have majored in architecture at their dream colleges, and art training during their childhood is one of the most important factors for their success.”

Ms. Wang said that such art contest is a very good opportunity for students to hone both drawing skills and design ability, and expand their imagination and creativity.  “We hope more of our students will become architects in the near future!” she said.

​WCAAD student Lucas Zhao, 7 years old, wears hand-made costumes and posed in imitation of the paintings' scenes.
 
Art Exhibition

​The Last Super

​Space

King Yi Shooting Down Nine Suns

​Hibernation

​Hide and Seek

​Lucas used to cosplay with his brother Lawrence Zhao, 9 years old.

​Now he starts to do the fun game with his baby sister.

​Such art cosplay can provide a way to heighten children's aesthetic senses while helping them have further understanding of the art creation. 

​Creativity will be the most valuable skill for future innovations.  Creative and performing arts coexist as cursers for exploration of children’s education which often feeds into other attributes of developmental and transformative experiences and inspirations. This is a most precious time in early childhood development to take advantage of these moments as it can lead into proficiencies in higher education and career contention, leadership and unique perspectives. 

​WCAAD student Shirley Jiang was accepted by UC Berkeley--Computer Science in 2016.

In 2013 she wrote a comment about our school on Yelp.

“I've been attending since 2003 at age five. It's been ten years now and in that time, I've participated in many contests and have had my share of wins. I don't do that much anymore, but I still continue to go because I simply enjoy it, for the love of drawing. I’ve improved so much over the years with my teachers. They've helped me a lot to understand the concepts and it shows in my constant improvement. What I've learned here, I've been able to retain in real life. I am able to do all of those drawing assignments I have to do throughout elementary, middle, and high school, able to draw and actually be proud of my work, and able to just reel in the idea that this was something I made with my own mind. Maybe that's why I love coming here so much: improving and doing something I love to do in a way that makes me happy. I really appreciate what this school and my teachers have done for me. Thanks for all the times and more to come.”—Shirley Jiang

​WCAAD student Dorothy Wei was accepted by Ringling College of Art and Design--Entertainment Design in the Fall 2021 with a scholarship of $12,000 per year $48,000/4 years

She wrote a comment about our school on Yelp.

“It is a great school if you are applying to art colleges. When I just got into West California Academy of Art and Design I only knew how to draw anime. I never took any art class when I grew up. And my basic is TERRIBLE. I have zero experience with figure drawing, oil painting, etc. But after studied 3-4 years at West California Academy, I got into top art schools in states with scholarship.

The portfolio teacher - Mr. Omar is an amazing teacher. I was so bad with proportion but he always helped me out with patience. Mr. Omar always taught us to work hard and try our best. His class is very helpful especially when you are going to art school. He focused on not only how to draw, but also how to become a unique artist to explore yourself with art. Mr. Omar always helped out when we had questions at home too.

So highly recommend this school if you want to be an artist and want to have a strong basics build such as learning about human anatomy. Figure drawing is very necessary. Some of people may not take it serious but it's the most important class you should take especially for art school.” -- Dorothy Wei

WCAAD student Mingkun Yan earned acceptance to Art Center College of Design in Transportation Design in 2019.

He wrote a comment about our school on Yelp.

 “Art Center College of Design is my dream college and its prestigious Transportation Design is my dream major. However, when I tried to apply for Art Center College of Design on my own, I did not get accepted. I realize that this program is highly competitive and I need more creative projects and a stronger portfolio. I chose West California Academy of Art and Design for its visionary and experienced team of instructors. After one year's study at the Academy's portfolio preparation class, I successfully got accepted by my dream college and program. ”-- Mingkun Yan

Art Center bound! Congratulation to Daisy Wen as she will be a first year student majoring in illustration!

​Additional schools include:
 
Otis College of Art and Design-$18,000/yr, $72,000 total
CCA - California College of the Arts - $16,000/yr, $64,000 total
SAIC - School of the Art Institute of Chicago-  $12000/yr, $48000 total
SVA - School of Visual Arts
CSULB - California State University, Long Beach
UCI - University of California, Irvine

​Daisy is a dedicated student who has been at the West California Academy of Art and Design for more than 5 years. Her journey began here with the inspiration and interest in fashion design. As she matured, she was exposed to various aspects of art making as her creative work flourished. 

​She always demonstrated natural talent, refinement, and creativity. Her development in the Academy has been crucial in visualization and execution of form in her work. This is evident as she has submitted to several art competitions. Most notably, the Scholastics Art and Writing where she won Regional at- Large -West Silver Keys. She received the Talent of Art Award from the CWBAC in March 2022. 

​During her time here Daisy demonstrated an increased production of sophisticated works. Her evolution is evident in her paintings, life drawing and digital skills. Her use of color, style and a gestural mark has taken her to new avenues of growth and exploration of materials. 

​In life drawing class, she has taken great leaps in trying different techniques and investigating line quality and mark making, while at the same time producing accurate figural studies. 

​She continually traveled from San Diego on the weekends until the pandemic hit and was forced to go online. Nevertheless, she was able to output works with success. 

​Daisy is an amazing talent and I see her wanting to improve and not solely rely on her natural talents. She is committed to make an impression professionally. 

​She has showcased her work, volunteered in her school events, and won various competitions. For Daisy every project must be of quality and refinement. She shows care, discipline, and experimentation. 

​Outside class she imaginative, dependable, and caring. She volunteers for the American Red Cross as the student Vice President. She is Secretary for the speech and debate team, and Vice President for the Chinese Culture Club. She is a member of the Color Guard and dedicates her time to teach art to children at the local library. At the American Red Cross, she helps heal veterans back to civility. Lastly, she participated in field hockey as an assistance manager advising and helping athletes mentally and with physical therapy. During quarantine she produced videos spreading mental health awareness creating awareness with emotional and psychical therapy. 

​Daisy’s academic and critical thinking are strong which allows her to go in depth analytically on subjects. I believe she is ready for the next phase of her educational path and to bring her own perspective, strengthens and creativity to the college community. 

​Daisy Wen has been a stellar student and we expect great things for her bright future.
 
(By Omar Gallegos, WCAAD Vice Principal and Director of Education)

August 12th is the World Elephant Day.  The theme for 2022 is “Field mitigation measures for human elephant conflicts.”

Due to their pleasant and intelligent nature, the world’s largest land animals are loved worldwide. But, unfortunately, these magnificent creatures face multiple threats to their survival.  Countless elephants are brutally killed every year for their ivory by greedy poachers who then leave their carcasses to rot in the sun. 

World Elephant Day was created in 2011 by two Canadian filmmaker Patricia Sims and Thailand’s Elephant Reintroduction Foundation and first celebrated on August 12, 2012.  The motivation for the first World Elephant Day was to draw attention to the plight of these majestic creatures to populations and cultures all over the world.