Inspiring Conversations with Nicole Jaramillo of Studio Claremont

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Jaramillo.

Hi Nicole, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Studio Claremont has been part of my life long before I ever imagined owning it.

I first walked into the studio in 2009 as a kid, taking art classes with my sister under the original founder. Those afternoons became some of my favorite memories — creating, experimenting, and feeling completely free to express myself. The studio was the place where I felt encouraged, inspired, and understood, and it planted the earliest seed of what would become my entire career.

That early love for art led me to pursue a BFA in Art Education, where I graduated with honors. After college, life came full circle: I returned to Studio Claremont, this time as an instructor working alongside the same founder who taught me years earlier. Teaching felt natural to me, especially connecting with kids, helping them build confidence, and watching them discover their own creativity.

I never expected the next step — ownership.

When the opportunity came for me to take over Studio Claremont, it wasn’t something I had planned, but it felt like the path I had naturally grown into. I knew the studio, I understood its heart, and I felt ready to build something meaningful for the community.

Taking over meant transforming the studio into a space that reflected a new generation of creativity. I led a full rebrand — refreshing the visual identity, creating cohesive digital marketing, updating signage, expanding classes, and pushing the studio into a new chapter. I introduced ceramics, pottery painting, special needs art programs, themed camps, and a modern, recognizable brand that families now associate with Studio Claremont.

One of the best parts of this journey is that I proudly run Studio Claremont with my sister Marbella Jaramillo — the same sister who sat beside me in those original classes back in 2009. Building this studio together makes the experience even more meaningful. It feels like our story has come full circle: we grew up here as students, and now we get to nurture the next generation of young artists as a team.

Today, Studio Claremont is growing, evolving, and filled with energy. And even though it looks different than it did when I was a kid, the heart of it is still the same: a place where young artists feel inspired, supported, and excited to create.

My story with Studio Claremont isn’t just about owning a business.
It’s about returning to the place that shaped me —
first as a student, then as a teacher, and now as the person guiding its future,
hand in hand with my sister.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not. Taking over Studio Claremont has been an amazing journey, but it hasn’t been without challenges.

The first major struggle was earning trust as a young woman stepping into ownership.
When I took over, a lot of people weren’t sure if I could fill the shoes of the previous owner. Families, partners, even people in the community had questions — not necessarily out of negativity, but out of uncertainty. I had to prove myself through consistency, professionalism, and the quality of what I created. Over time, as I rebranded the studio, expanded our programs, and built strong relationships with families, that trust grew. But it took real work.

The second challenge has been navigating the economy.
Running an art studio in this climate isn’t simple. Art and creativity are incredibly valuable, but they’re not always viewed as essentials when families are budgeting. A big part of my job has been showing people why creative education matters — why it’s worth their dollars, their time, and their commitment. Convincing families to invest in creativity, especially when everything feels expensive, is an ongoing challenge. But I believe in what we offer, and the growth of our studio shows that many families believe in it too.

Even with these challenges, I wouldn’t change the journey. Every obstacle has pushed me to grow as a leader, a business owner, and an artist.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Studio Claremont?
Studio Claremont is a creative art studio located in Claremont Village, and what we do is simple: we bring people of all ages into the world of art in a warm, welcoming, and encouraging environment. We offer a wide range of programs — weekly art classes for kids, ceramics and pottery painting, adult workshops, inclusive art sessions for individuals with special needs, and celebrations such as birthdays, field trips, and group events. Our studio is designed to make creativity accessible, whether someone is a complete beginner or already loves making art.

What we’re most known for is the atmosphere we create. Families often describe Studio Claremont as a place where their kids feel safe, supported, and inspired. Our classes are hands-on and educational, but they’re also fun. Students learn real technique across different mediums like painting, drawing, mixed media, clay, and oil pastels, while still enjoying the freedom to explore their individual style. On top of that, our pottery painting program has become a favorite for both kids and adults — people love choosing a ceramic piece, painting it with their own personality, and then seeing it transformed after we glaze and fire it in our kiln.

What truly sets us apart is the inclusivity and range of what we offer. We work with very young children, teens, adults, and individuals with special needs — making Studio Claremont a creative home for so many different kinds of learners. Not every studio is built to accommodate such a diverse group, but we value it and take pride in it. We also specialize in creating meaningful experiences through art, whether that’s a family pottery night, a school field trip, or an adult workshop where someone gets to reconnect with creativity for the first time in years.

Brand-wise, I’m extremely proud of the transformation we’ve made. When I took ownership, one of my goals was to refresh the identity of the studio so it matched the energy and growth happening inside. The new branding — from our logo and signage to our social media presence and overall visual aesthetic — feels modern, cohesive, and instantly recognizable. It represents the vibrancy of our programs and the heart behind what we do.

Above all, what I want readers to know is that Studio Claremont is more than an art studio — it’s a community space. Creativity is at the center of everything we do, but so is connection. Whether someone is joining a weekly class, painting pottery with friends, sending their child to camp, or attending an adult workshop, I want them to feel welcome, encouraged, and proud of what they create. We believe art brings joy, confidence, and growth, and we’re committed to offering experiences that reflect that every single day.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was always that kid who had paint on her hands, random sketches tucked into every notebook, and a million creative ideas happening at once. Art was my anchor from the beginning — I was constantly drawing, decorating something, or trying to turn school projects into full productions. Creativity was just the way my brain worked.

Personality-wise, I was outgoing, silly, and definitely eccentric in the best way. I loved making people laugh, I loved being around friends, and I was pretty much friends with everyone. I never fit into just one group — I floated around and connected with all kinds of personalities.

I also had a strong independent streak. Even as a kid, I always wanted to do things differently than everyone else. If most people went left, I was curious about what was happening on the right. That mindset pushed me to think creatively and take on leadership roles naturally — whether it was in group projects, school activities, or sports.

And speaking of sports, I played volleyball growing up, which taught me teamwork, discipline, and how to show up for others. It balanced out my artistic side in a really grounding way.

Overall, I was a mix of playful, artistic, social, and driven — the kind of kid who dreamed big but also wanted everyone around me to feel included and inspired. Honestly, a lot of who I was then still shows up in how I run Studio Claremont today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.studioclaremont.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studioclaremont/