We had the good fortune of connecting with Lauren Dennis-Perelmuter and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Lauren, how does your business help the community?
The Art Box Academy is truly dedicated to helping children develop Life Essential Skills through our Art and Activity Boxes, Art Lesson Packets and Bundles and even our Fairy Box and Jr. Architecture Parties. We also have recently opened our new larger Studio in Rolling Hills Estates, selling our Boxes and Packets, but also offering camps, classes, parties, gals night out and more.
To navigate in today’s world, children truly need to strengthen Creative Resilience, sharpen Critical Thinking, develop Complex Problem Skill Sets and create a strong sense of Self-Esteem – skills and traits that are enhanced by engaging in the creative process. We provide students ages 3-12 years old opportunities to create and become optimal thinkers and will provide them with a foundation that ensures they will not only survive in our world today, but thrive.
Our Boxes, Packets and Bundles are customized for students, classrooms, school districts, pediatric patients, luxury resorts, assisting living facilities, gifts and more.
Children are truly are future,…being a creator, innovator and maker, gives them the skill set to become global citizens, increases empathy and brings more good to our world.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
At the age of 4, I just always remember coloring…..coloring books, coloring paper plates, drawing, sketching. My parents look back and say, “we thought all kiddos colored like you”…well, that love of creating lead to art classes in high school and off to college with a fine arts degree in Studio Art at UCSB. When in Italy the summer before I graduated, walking the beautiful streets of Rome, I had never seen fabric and design like what I saw that summer. After researching a bit about fabrics, I discovered a whole new world of Textile Design and went back to art school at Otis Art Institute of Parsons School of Design in Los Angeles….I then moved to San Francisco and got my first job as a textile artist for a women’s wear company. I discovered that I truly loved working in fashion and retail and got on the other side of the textile world and sold women’s clothing in some of the top designer stores: Gucci, Armani and Escada and loved it. When I moved to Los Angeles in 2000, I realized I missed my hands on “art” and saw there was not a place for children to start their own journey of the arts and opened up Art To Grow On Children’s Art Center, a mobile art education company that brings art programs to students preschool – 6th grade. Private Schools, Public Schools, Camps, Resorts, Non-Profits, Corporate Day Care….thousands of students a year.
Due to the pandemic in spring of 2020 and our programs being put on hiatus due to school closures, I pivoted the company to a “box model” and we are able to continue to provide opportunities to children to create and my second business, The Art Box Academy was born!
Making something from nothing…is one of the most critical life essential skills one can cultivate. Creative resilience..yes, a necessary skill to keep on moving forward.
One of the most incredible aspects to the company’s growth is providing Art and Activity Boxes to the patients at children’s hospitals. We now have over 10 pediatric partners and ambassadors throughout the country – from CHLA to Cedars Sinai to UCLA to CHOP in Philadelphia and more- anyone can purchase these boxes and or become a co-branding partner and or sponsor. The patients truly need a little joy, respite and creativity!
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When we have family friends visit the Los Angeles area, I always make sure to take them to Terranea Resort in Palos Verdes. From their walking trails to their restaurants to their incredible staff, it is beyond a special visit every time we go. Another fantastic activity we do is a walk along the strand near Riviera Village in Redondo Beach and visit all the wonderful boutique stores on Catalina Avenue. Restaurants are beyond fab from a family style place like Good Stuff to an adult night out to HT Grill or Rockefellers.
For a day in LA itself, a trip to the Getty or LACMA is at the top of the list and the Hollywood Bowl of course, is one of our faves too.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people who have truly encouraged me since I was a young girl, especially my parents – and many encouraging me to follow my vision and passion, but one of the most influential is my painting teacher from when I started art classes at the age of 15. This person still constantly tells me with complete conviction to get ready for more then I can ever imagine, prepare for growth and prosperity, and always reframes my successes to look ahead to even more!
He deeply believes as I do that we are all here for a very special purpose to elevate our fellow human beings, serve and bring beauty and joy to those that we work and spend time with.
He reminds me to trust every little thing that occurs, everything that happens is “my teacher” and to continue with an open heart to look ahead even through the ups and downs!
Website: https://theartboxacademy.com
Instagram: @theartboxacademy
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/lauren-dennis-perelmuter-6b549996
Facebook: @theartboxacademy
Yelp: www.theartboxacademy.com