Our Mission
Our mission at Fine Art Academy is to cultivate artistic excellence through personalized instruction, innovative techniques, and a supportive community. We are committed to providing a nurturing environment where aspiring artists can explore their passions, develop their skills, and realize their artistic potential.
Through our rigorous curriculum, dedicated faculty, and diverse range of artistic disciplines, we aim to inspire a lifelong love for the arts and empower individuals to make meaningful contributions to the world of fine art.
The Fine Art Academy Process
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WATERCOLOR
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CHARCOAL
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PASTEL
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OIL
Our Team of Experts
Elizabeth Benítez
Born in Denver, Colorado, and originally from Mexico, Elizabeth Benitez moved to San Antonio in 2017, where she discovered a deep passion for the arts. Initially inspired by fashion and the desire to paint on clothing, she began exploring various mediums that would shape her distinctive style.
Elizabeth refined her skills as an apprentice under renowned artist Andrew Trosman, managing his studio. After her apprenticeship, she took over the studio, continuing to build on the foundation he helped establish and creating a space for other artists to thrive. Throughout her career, Elizabeth has attended workshops across the country led by artists such as Dillon DeJesus, Patrick Byrnes, and Janice Hindes. She currently studies under master painters, deepening her understanding of classical painting techniques.
Dedicated to the continuous exploration of the creative process, Elizabeth remains passionate about both her own artistic evolution and inspiring the next generation of artists.
Amanda Lawrence
Born and raised near Seattle, Washington, Amanda Lawrence developed a love for art early on. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Studio Art with a minor in Theatre from Western Washington University, where she was awarded the Photo Realism 2018 Art Scholarship.
During her time there, she also worked as a scenic painter and set designer, gaining valuable experience and deepening her understanding of the intersection between visual art and performance. Amanda also served as a gallery attendant, assisting with exhibitions, and spent two years as an art director at a summer camp, inspiring young artists.
After graduating in 2020, Amanda began teaching art, focusing on traditional techniques and helping students appreciate the fundamentals of art. She moved to San Antonio in 2021 and currently serves as the manager at the Fine Art Academy, where she oversees operations, develops programming, and collaborates with students and instructors to foster a dynamic learning environment.
Ivette Briseño
Born and raised in Guadalajara, Mexico, Ivette Briseño discovered her passion for art and design early in life. She earned a degree in Art and Graphic Design from a university in Guadalajara, graduating in 2017. Over the years, she has developed expertise in various techniques, including drawing, caricature, watercolor, pastel, oil pastel, acrylic, screen printing, airbrushing, colored pencil, and markers.
After graduation, Ivette focused her career on graphic design, spending four years at Universidad del Valle de México and two years at Morhada. In 2022, she joined the Fine Art Academy, contributing her skills in design and marketing remotely before relocating to San Antonio.
A lifelong learner, Ivette stays ahead of industry trends in both design and art, driven by her passion for continuous growth and creativity. She is excited to be part of a community that fosters artistic exploration and innovation.
Special Workshops
Trois Crayon Figure Drawing Workshop
Join us for a two-day intensive workshop focused on mastering value and figure rendering through the use of three classic drawing mediums: charcoal, white conte, and sanguine (red chalk). Limited spots available!
Sign up today!
2025 Teen Art
We are excited to invite students in grades 7th–12th to participate in our 2025 Art Competition! This is your chance to showcase your talent, gain recognition, and win exciting prizes while expressing your creativity. Whether you're an aspiring artist or just love to create, this competition is for you!
FIGURE DRAWING SESSIONS with live nude models EVERY FRIDAY
Unlock your creativity and hone your skills!
When: Fridays, 6 PM - 8 PM
Cost: $30 | $20 for Students (cash only)
Join us for an inspiring evening of drawing from a live nude model. With poses ranging from 1 to 20 minutes, this is a perfect opportunity to capture the human form and enhance your artistic abilities.
Success Stories
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-Maria DavilaMy son and I have been taking classes at Fine Art Studio for a few months. We loved the energy in the studio from the moment we walked in. Eli takes the time to answer any questions we might have. Eli and her staff are very professional, courteous and kind. Fine Art Studio helped us find a new hobby that we love and a place where we can come to learn, get inspired and develop new skills. I love that my son and I can now share conversations about what we learned at our classes and look forward to our next class! Eli being bilingual is a plus! I highly recommend Fine Art Studio!
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-Kristin KellyWhere do I start? I signed up for art classes not knowing any fundamentals of 2D art. I’m self taught in acrylic painting but I really wanted to learn the building blocks to make my art better and learn different mediums. I’ve never been able to draw, but learning charcoal and oil paints are my dream. The instructors here have that dream a reality, I’m currently in the charcoal phase and I am absolutely loving it. My drawing skills have greatly improved and I’m even practicing at home on my own time. The classes are fun, the people are great, and it’s so inspiring seeing everyone’s work and talent around me and watching them grow in their skills too. If you’re thinking of taking art classes, this is the place. I was so nervous when I first began, but this studio has truly become my sanctuary and I feel so at home here now. Thank you guys for pushing me out of my comfort zone so I can grow as the artist I want to be
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-Cynthia AltamiranoWe were looking for a place for our 10 year old to learn painting and drawing techniques and we found Fine Art Academy. It’s hard to find a place we’re people are not only knowledgeable and professional but also great teachers. I feel my investment is paying off since my daughter is learning pastel , water coloring, oil and other styles and techniques.
