Keys to the Art World
Get Focus & Direction
Not a seminar...
Not a workshop...
In this program, professional artist Kristen Guest shows you how to work in a series, build a thriving studio practice, create a unified body of work, and how to successfully market and sell your art.
Over the course of a semester:
- you'll set goals
- work in a series
- identify your ideal collectors
- price for profit
- present your art in an elevated and beautiful way
- get professional artist headshots
- receive personalized marketing materials
- build an authentic following online
- grow your own collectors list
- sell art while learning how to sell
- get detailed roadmaps for launching 5 different streams of income like commissions and art prints
- plan a year-end gallery show as a group
Designed for painting and drawing artists of any medium or genre, whose work can be showcased in an exhibition format on gallery walls.
See Major Growth
Artists also have access to exclusive opportunities throughout the year to gain exposure and to sell their work.
Being a professional artist can be a part-time or a full-time endeavor. We learn all the ways artists can support themselves.
Many of our alumni go on to:
- acquire solo shows
- get gallery representation
- be juried into art fairs
- start teaching
- launch art prints of their work
- spend more time painting than ever
- and more
All while feeling prepared and ready.
Be Part of a Gallery Show in December
At the end of the year, both spring and fall semesters host their own show at Ashton Gallery to put into practice what we have learned.
Our year-end group show is the largest, most attended, and most successful show that the gallery has hosted for the past 4 years in a row.
Artists in this business mentorship program help with the promoting of their own gallery show:
- prepping their own marketing materials
- inviting people to attend
- how to engage with show visitors
- decorating the gallery
- getting ready for opening night
- post-show private viewings
This gives artists real-world experience that they need to understand the business side of art.
It's Free to Apply!
We jury 10 emerging artists into each semester. There's no cost to apply and you can submit your application online or in-person at Art on 30th.
The application is short and sweet. Websites and Instagram accounts are not required as learning about them are part of the program.
Important Note:
This is not a "how–to–paint" class. Artists should be proficient in painting and/or have taken a few sessions of Level 3 classes before joining.
Artists looking to develop their own recognizable style should take 2-3 sessions of our new class Finding Your Artist Style as a prerequisite to joining.
More Info:
- Semester Length: 24 weeks
- Mondays 10:30am–1:30pm
- Location: Meets at Art on 30th in San Diego
- Cost: $299 every 4 weeks
- Group Size: 10 artists max per semester
- Level: 4 (experienced)
- Mentor: Kristen Guest
Important Dates:
- ‼️ Deadline for Fall 2026: June 15
- 🔔 Notifications: June 22
- 📆 Fall Dates: June 29 - December 14
What You'll Be Learning
What the Alumni Have to Say
-
David S.
It was thorough on the business side, which was awesome and most appreciated! I enjoyed the opportunity to actually learn how to market yourself with practical advice and hands-on experience. Kristen went above and beyond to answer questions. I felt like she was invested in my success. This program was worth all the time, money, and emotional work!
-
Skye S.
I took this program because I recognized it was "the best value" that Art on 30th has to offer and it gives so much! I recommended it to my friend and they were just accepted to take the program so now we'll both get to showcase our artwork together at the end of the year.
-
Autumn S.
Kristen has profoundly influenced my artistic understanding—particularly in the areas of color theory, light, shadow, and the emotional depth of space. Her ability to distill complex artistic concepts has had a lasting impact on me as an artist.
-
Shelly C.
I have grown so much as an artist at Art on 30th. I can't say enough positive things about this art school and gallery. Kristen was very professional and really cared about providing informative instruction to help your art soar!
-
Shelby M.
It's been amazing! I've learned so much and felt so encouraged by Kristen and the entire community. My past year here has really had an incredible impact on my life and well-being!
-
Anna H.
The best part was the community! But what really helped me was learning about having a vision and unique voice—and just being able to focus on making a body of art.
-
Michiyo M.
This program was a rare experience that taught me how to be a real professional artist. So glad to be here!! Kristen was wonderful and resourceful.
-
Jordan L.
Great classes, great instructors—but more than anything, it's been a pleasure to be part of the community at Art on 30th!
-
Missy G.
The community is amazing! If I could live here, I would!
Meet Your Mentor
Kristen Guest
20 Years of Creating Art
Over 500 pieces of original art sold in the last 8 years.
Director of Education & Marketing
Kristen’s undergraduate degree is in Art Education with MFA courses in Branding and Media Design. She oversees 20 art instructors, markets their classes, and is the mentor for the impressive “Keys to the Art World” program.
Gallery Representation
Kristen has been represented by 7 different galleries (Tennesee, California, Virginia, Massachusets, and Connecticut), currently with 5 galleries from coast to coast.
Streams of Income
She creates her full-time art career with these additional streams of income: commissions, art fairs, art prints, solo shows, gallery representation, art consultants, teaching, and her work has been featured on sites like 1st Dibs and Serene & Lily. Kristen's art was selected to be a part of Saatchi's 2026 summer mailer campaign that was mailed to over 50,000 US households. She also works with consultants and designers, which led to having her work on exhibit at High Point Market.
Artist Bio
Kristen is an award-winning and published full-time artist and art instructor in Southern California. She graduated from art school at Middle Tennessee State University with a degree in Art Education, that focused on painting, book arts and printmaking, and has completed several courses towards her MFA in Corporate Media, that focused on multi-media campaigns and brand design. Kristen has been teaching realism painting since 2004 and abstract painting since 2018. She is currently the Director of Education & Marketing for Art on 30th in San Diego and heads up their Keys to the Art World art business mentorship program.
Kristen currently works in three mediums: acrylic, oil/cold wax, and colored pencil. She lives in Poway, CA where she works out of her home studio. Her work is currently represented through Janssen Artspace in Palm Springs CA, Libby Silvia Artstyle in Boston MA, Liza Pruitt in Richmond VA (a gallery partner for Serena & Lily stores), Sandstone Gallery in Laguna Beach CA, and Sorelle Gallery in Westport CT.
Kristen’s work has been on exhibit with Ashton Gallery in San Diego CA, The Athenaeum Arts & Music Library in San Diego CA, Huntington Beach Art Center in Huntington Beach CA, Borrego Art Institute in Borrego Springs CA, Arc Gallery in San Francisco CA, Port Angeles Fine Arts Center in Port Angeles WA, Jen Tough Gallery in Santa Fe NM, Woman Made Gallery in Chicago IL, JAG Gallery in Key West FL, High Point Market in High Point NC, Serena & Lily online store, and Saatchi's The Other Art Fair in Los Angeles.
