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 Spring 2027: December 15
- 🔔 Notifications: December 18
- 📆 Spring 2027 Dates: January 4 - June 21
What You'll Be Learning
What the Alumni Have to Say
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Stephanie H.
As a current member of the program, I can attest to getting all of this and so much more. I'm almost at the end of my semester and am so sad! I've found the entire experience to be so valuable in restructuring how I approach my art career. The curriculum is fantastic and covers so many topics that get lost in other forms of art education. Kristen has clearly put so much into the course and her support is invaluable. And to be honest, the photos from last year's cohort were a big reason I signed up...the photos were so good but now mine are even better! And on top of that, I learned and grew so much—and in so many unexpected ways. 🥰🥰🥰
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Joshua O.
I'm currently in the program and can wholeheartedly recommend it. The mentorship from Kristen has helped me develop a stronger body of work, gain clarity on my artistic direction, and better understand the business side of being an artist. It's challenged me to grow in ways I would never have grown on my own. 🤍
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Rebecca S.
This program has a wealth of information that I truly believe you can't find anywhere else. Kristen is a fantastic mentor and I cannot recommend this program enough!
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Nakia H.
This program definitely helped me find my voice as an artist. Loved the interviews from local artists and the guidance and mentorship from Kristen. This is what the San Diego arts community needs and, after having taken the program two times in a row, I can tell you that it gets better with every semester 🔥 10/10 recommend!
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Efren O.
This program truly helped me grow in ways I didn't expect. Kristen gave me the confidence to trust my process, push my creativity further, and create work that feels more personal, authentic, and connected to who I am. I'm grateful for this program because it gave me the tools, motivation, and guidance to grow not only as an artist, but as someone learning how to tell my story through art 💛
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Carla C.
I highly recommend this program for artists. It covers both the creative and business sides of an art career, including practical tools for marketing and pricing. The strong community within the cohorts make the experience especially supportive and motivating.
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Loretta B.
So many ways I grew as an artist during this program: self confidence, new ideas in color mixing and techniques, desire to experiment with my art and with software and marketing. The changes are noticeable in my work and in the sales of my work. I highly recommend the program.
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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.
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Donna S.
This program really helped me grow as an artist. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to learn more about the Art World and who wants to create a true body of work. Kristen is a fantastic mentor!
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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!
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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!
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Lynn H.
Sign up. You won't regret it!
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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.
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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!
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Missy G.
I was in the program two years ago and it has completely transformed me as an artist. I am now clear on my vision, what makes me unique as an artist, and how to communicate all of that.
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.
