Yvette Contois is a vibrant and creative artist, as well as the teacher and the owner of the Art Factory in Aptos. Our 12 year old daughter began taking one of her classes, Drawing for Teens, in February and was instantly hooked! She loved Yvette, socializing with the other students, and the lovely, intimate environment of the Art Factory. After only a few classes, the shelter in place and pandemic abruptly interrupted that. However, we were impressed to see Yvette quickly adapt and switch over to online classes with her students. Prior to this year, I had heard good things about Yvette from a friend of mine who has had both of her kids attending Art Factory for many years. Then this last year another friend also had both of her children start going to back to back classes at the Art Factory, which they adore.
“Yvette at the Art Factory has been an exceptional teacher. My kids have been enjoying their classes and never want to miss a day! She has a special way of teaching that reaches every child and we are so thankful to have her.” - Tirzah H.
“My kids have been a part of Aptos Art Factory for over 7 years. It’s always been a highight of my kids’ week when they go to Yvette’s classes. Yvette has a passion for her art, her enthusiam ignites the kids in her class. Seeing the love for the arts grow in my kids is priceless. A joy they will have for a lifetime.” - Bridgett K.
Yvette gave us some insight into how she started, how’s things have changed, and how we all can support her business in these times in the following interview:
Tell us how long you’ve been in business here?
I am joyfully entering my 12th year as director and lead instructor at the Art Factory.
How did you get started?
As a lifelong artist, an art educator and parent, I felt it was time to return to my greatest passion; teaching art. While teaching art at Santa Cruz Montessori and creating extensively with my two young children at home, I wanted to expand my reach to the broader Aptos community. I took a chance in 2009 and offered a creative, dynamic summer camp experience. My children were the guiding inspiration, really. As a parent, I envisioned the perfect environment for my children would be creative, relaxed, non-competitive, encouraging and of course, magical! This vision included being surrounded by other children who loved to create and whose parents found value in the same concept. I was determined to deliver a program that I myself wanted for my own little ones! The families who shared my vision in the summer of 2009 are the reason I’m still here today! Their support was enough to get the Art Factory up and running. It allowed me to take a chance, to believe in my passion and to set an example to my own kids, to do what you love! I am eternally grateful to the (now grown) children and their parents from the summer of 2009, including my own who were the original building blocks and heart of this business.
What do you love about Aptos/Santa Cruz?
The beauty and intrigue of the natural world, especially on the central coast, provides me with an eternal sources of inspiration. From the forest to the sea, there are lifetimes worth of subject matter underfoot and on the horizon.
How has your business been affected by the pandemic and shelter-in-place?
It was a shock to the senses to find myself in an empty studio. I felt the disappointment of children and their parents who had to cancel their parties and creative gatherings. My calendar is wide open to them to reschedule, once we return to what we’ve always known.
How have you made adjustments and how can we as a community support you?
Ah yes, the good news... Weekly after school art classes and homeschool art classes are still going strong! The shelter in place order has prompted my wonderful team of teachers and I to quickly adapt to an online, interactive teaching platform. I’m thrilled to see how easy the transition has been. In fact, it has expanded to my students families and friends, even from afar. Yes, your son’s cousin in Arizona can now take art class with him after school! Yes, your daughter’s friend in Idaho can join her for a drawing class! And parents, there are classes coming soon for you too! Adults love the quiet meditative process of looking longer and learning to draw what they see. I want to provide the joys of the Art Factory to the parents as well. Everyone benefits from art and the creative process!
Please visit our website and follow our social media platforms. We want to grow with you, your family and your friends, all over the world. Your continued support today will allow us to keep the lights on and the door open for you when we are able to resume in person. Thank you!
Instagram: artfactoryaptos
Facebook: The Art Factory
Website: ArtFactoryStudios.com
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Article by Alisha Todd