Painting a Future: Laratelier Art Studio Celebrates 10 Years

By: Emma Wong

Last year, students worked on a piece surrounding coral reefs, raising awareness about the impact of climate change.

Stepping into Lara Horoupian’s home studio, Laratelier, is like witnessing a vibrant paint stroke come to life on a brand new canvas.

Framed works display a wall of both old and recent paintings, many of which belong to Ms. Horoupian, a professional artist. Sculptures vary in style from wiry, surrealist Giacometti figures to hyper-realistic canyons. Miramonte students created much of this work and have attended the studio since its opening a decade ago.

Laratelier offers both summer programs and five-day intensives. When it comes to teaching, Ms. Horoupian emphasizes art as a path of expression, offering different mediums and inspirations to channel into students’ work. “I want students to feel comfortable, to feel like they are here to express their emotions, along with my guidance … there’s always a subject or artist to kind of be inspired by. I haven’t repeated a subject in 10 years!” Horoupian said.

Laratelier fosters a positive atmosphere where students uplift one another.

“Kids … always make good comments and reinforce each other,” Horoupian said. “If a student is hesitant about the piece, you see another student stand up and say, ‘This is amazing!’”

This year, Laratelier is commemorating a decade of artwork by planning a showcase next spring in 2023, spotlighting Ms. Horoupian’s veteran students, including senior Malina Andrews, who is preparing a college art portfolio featuring several of her pieces created at the studio.

“I started taking Ms. Horoupian’s class at the end of fourth grade. It’s been eight to nine years now and I’ve loved every second of it,” Andrews said. “I kept coming back because Ms. Horoupian is an amazing teacher. I feel like I’ve learned so much from her about life and about art, and it’s just been so fun.”

Andrews has attended Laratelier nearly every week, where Horoupian witnessed her art journey progress.

“[Malina has] done so many different projects, and she’s such an inspiring student,” Horoupian said. “After a long week of school with hard classes; she [Malina] comes here to express herself. You see her work and you think it’s a professional artist [with] her colors, her composition.”

Students have experimented with a myriad of forms of art, including painting on paper, canvas, wood, and rock; using acrylics, pastel, and watercolor; and even creating local murals.“I love trying out different shades and color schemes,” Andrews said. “I like to add my own twist to it.”

Andrews’ favorite projects included painting her own style of the Mona Lisa and creating daily life sketches of her aunt, a project that resonated with her background and culture.

Other students are inspired during their sessions at Laratelier, finding art as a great outlet after tiring school days.

“Walking into class refreshes my zest for art,” junior Corinna O’Brien said. “There's a sense of welcome with the paint on the tables and the music playing in the background.”

“I love having a space where I can express my art,” sophomore Lilia Maharbiz said. “I highly recommend it for artists looking for a space to … try new things through different themes.”

Although Andrews won’t be attending art school, she promises to keep creating far into the future.

“I am planning to minor in art and will definitely keep art as a part of my life,” Andrews said. “I’m definitely confident in my skills with traditional art, so I think that no matter what I’ll keep drawing and painting, but I might try out digital art alongside that if I find time to.”

Both Andrews and her teacher Horoupian have a hopeful message for those who are shy about their artwork. “Ms. Lara emphasizes that everyone can do art and become better at it .. with practice,” Andrews said. “You can become a really amazing artist in the class. She teaches you, but also lets you guide your own progress and gives you the creative freedom to express yourself.”

As Andrews caps off her senior year and looks forward to college, the wonder and solace that art provides continues to illuminate her life.

“There is this magic in art that is unlimited,” Horoupian said. “Nobody would know until they discover it.”

WC: 688

EAL: KP

EIC: GL