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Meet Alia Manetta of AM Studio in Pomona

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alia Manetta.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Alia. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was born in Laguna Beach, California to parents who held prominent positions in the architecture and graphic design world. At a young age, I demonstrated my ability for creating sculptures, ceramics and large art pieces for the Orange County Community and even created medical products to benefit patients. In third grade, I used trash to develop an apparatus that allowed people to wash their hair in bed. This invention was comprised of half of a plastic basin, some old foam lining the space for a person to comfortably lay their head inside, and a tube and funnel that sprayed their hair. My “how to wash your hair in bed” creation was initially for my own entertainment, but soon realized the practical application for hospital bedridden patients.

I came to learn at a young age that I possessed an innate penchant for entrepreneurship. Consequently, this was the first quality of mine that I capitalized on — my desire to make money, my creativity, my initiative and my natural ability in sales. In the fifth grade, I signed up for the talent show. I hoped to showcase not only my artistic abilities but also create something never seen before. The result: “Trash dressing.” “Trash Dressing” was a fashion show, with gowns solely made of trash. The show was sensational! Short of a week later, the Laguna Beach Independent published an article presenting my imaginative endeavor – the coalescence of recycling and fashion. Later, Orange County Waste Management purchased the dresses for display in their main office building.

My family has always encouraged experimentation. Because of this, I have always explored a variety of undertakings and treated each as a valuable learning opportunity. While I am incredibly creative and driven by art, I have also always had a life-long love of science. I received a Bachelors of Science (BS) from UCLA in Neuroscience. I am currently working towards a two-year Master of Business & Science (MBS) and specializing in Biotech Management at Keck Graduate Institute (KGI). I have a wide range of interests from biotechnology, to business, to the arts and I plan to improve the current health care system through innovation in management and technology. I was awarded The Laguna Beach Festival Of The Arts Award in 2013 and the Business Club of Laguna Entrepreneurial Award 2014 in acknowledgment of my community leadership and creative achievement. I was in the Honors College while at UCLA, and during that time I also took many relevant courses in Biotechnology & Art. As a Bioartist, I use all different types of media — from acrylic paints to pastel, to different types of cells, DNA molecules, proteins and living tissues to bring to life ethical, social and aesthetic issues of sciences.

In the past 5 years, I have also worked as a Creative Director for Fashionomics, where I led teenagers in monthly programs focused on fashion related charity campaigns. I also worked as a live artist in The 2013 Oscars creating the art wall for the Best Picture Nominee. Since then, I started AM Studio, a professional interior graphic design business, in 2015. We specialize in curating unique unusual vintage historical images and designing large-scale graphic art and avant-garde pieces for both commercial and residential interiors. We make custom art pieces, including murals and corporate logos for homes and businesses. The Instagrams for the AM Studio art and lifestyle is @aliamanettastudio and @aliamanetta. Art can be purchased from www.etsy.com/shop/aliamanettastudio. My future goal for AM Studio is to help blur the distinctions between science and art through the combination of artistic and scientific processes. I challenge myself to think outside the box, explore divergent and convergent thinking, seek out knowledge and inspiration from ideas that derive from biotechnology and the surrounding natural environment.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It’s an honor and privilege to say that I have not faced too many struggles along the way yet. I am always searching for more business, but right now the studio is prosperous and we have a lot of outreach and word-of-mouth clients.

To the many who have been very supportive launching AM Studio, I would like to express my gratitude. I would be remiss if I did not thank a few others who had no direct involvement with AM Studio but whose influence on me personally has been great. My mother raised me never to accept anything as “good enough,” which made me at least a little crazy but also helped instill in me the high standards that I hope are apparent in all my work. Victoria Vesna, a professor of Honors 177 Biotech &Art, who taught me never to stop asking questions and diving into life ethical, social, and aesthetic issues in my art. My sister, for her faith and patience, tolerates my wild ideas and believes in me when I do not.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with AM Studio – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
AM Studio is a professional interior graphic design business specializing in curating unique unusual vintage historical images and designing large-scale graphic art for both commercial and residential interiors. We have made album covers for musicians, unique one-of-a-kind tattoos, large indoor and outdoor murals, a variety of different handmade wall art, etc. We also make custom pieces and ship all over the world.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Clients have been requesting a wider selection of minimalist wall pieces (home interior). Because of this, we are working on launching a line that includes many new minimalist pieces for display.

Pricing:

  • I love you canvas, pop art “Fragile Handle With Care I Love You” original art ($599)
  • Spray Paint Bottle- Homage to Andy Warhol ($499)
  • Colored Nudes, Bodies, Nature, etc hand drawn 9″ x 11″ ($70-150)
  • Art Murals (graffiti pop art, flowers, and beyond) ($900-1500 depending on size of space)

Contact Info:


Image Credit:

Mr. Brainwash is the inspiration for the I love you canvas Je t’aime pop art “Fragile Handle With Care I Love You” Je t’aime

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

1 Comment

  1. Michelle L.

    April 13, 2018 at 21:04

    So much talent and drive! Can’t wait to see where your entrepreneurial journey takes you!

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