Wizard of Art in Los Feliz Teaches the Magic of Creation to All Ages

  

 

Interview with Paul Eventoff and Donna Zweig, conducted by local Keith Kurlander

 

 

Summary

 

Paul Eventoff and Donna Zweig are the husband and wife owners of The Wizard of Art.

 

Wizard of Art

 

Describe your business.

Our art classes teach students how to draw what you see, using the same approach and art mediums as the masters. We must be doing something right, as our year round classes remain full, and there is a waiting list for new students. Many of our students begin at age 4 and remain with us until they go to college. Some return after graduation from college, and several have become teachers at The Wizard of Art.

 

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What made you decide to open this business?

We opened The Wizard of Art 20 years ago on Hillhurst. After many years of working for others and realizing we should take a leap of faith and become the masters of our own destiny, we leased the wonderful space that has become our home away from home.This leap turned out to be a dream come true and it has been a joy to welcome all the students into our art school since the day we opened.

 

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What was it like when you first started?

Hillhurst Ave was much like it is today, only with many new restaurants, shops, and unfortunately no new parking spaces. Our business grew by word of mouth, as we are extremely old school, still using the telephone to schedule and communicate. Most of our clients (we call them families) appreciate that we remain in the slow lane of the fast paced electronic world we all share today.

 

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What’s the most memorable experience you’ve had working with a customer?

Some of our most memorable experiences (there are way too many to mention here): Our students become part of our family. We have become god-parents to 2 children whose parents were students, and all four of their children became students.There are four families who began as Paul's students, and now have enrolled their children in his art class, We have established friendships with our students and their families that have lasted decades and it is such a joy and a blessing to witness their growth as artists and human beings.

 

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Do you have any exciting plans for the future that you want customers to know about?

As far as the future of The Wizard of Art, we hope to continue to influence in some small way, the importance of art in the lives of young people and adults. Our classes remain small and personal, and the instruction is based on the level of each individual. We are excited that our adult daughter, who has had a very successful career in art and art education for 20 years has added her own touch to our studio. She is opening new classes for adults and teens in drawing, painting, figure drawing, and portfolio preparation. Her website is http://www.malaikalatty.com/.

 

What do you love about this neighborhood?

 

WE love the Los Feliz neighborhood. It has been generous to us, and we appreciate our landlord and landlady, who have allowed all the businesses in our building to remain in place with reasonable increases in rent. Many of our neighbors have not been as fortunate. We are also happy to shop, eat, and enjoy all the local entrepreneurs remaining,

 

What are your favorite places to go in the neighborhood?

 

Of course we love all the businesses in our building, and enjoy walking across the street, and up and down the street to eat at all the fine places. We also appreciate the diversity of the neighborhood, and the very interesting folks who visit.

 

Why do you think it's important for people to shop local?

 

It is very important to shop local, as it enriches lives of individuals instead of corporations and generates profit that goes back into the community.

 

Website/Blog: http://www.thewizardofart.com/