Meet Berry Stein of Art Life Practice

Today we’d like to introduce you to Berry Stein.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Berry. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I moved to LA from New York a little over two years ago, having been in the city for nine years. While in New York, I went through two rounds of grad school (spent lots of time in the library) and worked in the art museum and school settings as an art educator and school teacher. When I moved to LA, I worked as a teaching artist at the amazing organization Inner-City Arts, working with youth from LAUSD schools who don’t have arts programming at school.

Over the past several years, I have been dreaming and scheming to start something that combined my love for art history, art making, and bringing people together for fun and creative experiences. After the encouragement of friends and family, I finally started Art Life Practice, a nomadic workshop that combines art history and art making in an experimental yet instructional atmosphere.

Has it been a smooth road?
The road to where I am today has certainly been windy. Having worked within the school and museum settings with youth and teens, I never imagined that one day I would be working for myself serving adult audiences. The journey has been equally liberating and terrifying. Since officially starting Art Life Practice in January, I have learned so much from each workshop, and am constantly working to make the experience more engaging and distinctive. 

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Art Life Practice is a traveling workshop that is hosted by different venues throughout Los Angeles. It cultivates creativity by combining art history and art-making in an accessible, fun, and experimental atmosphere. Equal parts art historical education and hands-on experimentation, Art Life Practice was built on the belief that the best way to learn about art is by doing it yourself. Each workshop runs two to three hours and is focused on a specific art movement or creative process.

Our mission is to present art-making as an essential part of well-being and to foster a rich community of learners and explorers.

Art Life Practice is unique because it provides art historical context alongside the art making experience.  Our goal is to have a meaningful effect on our participants’ state of mind and wellbeing through hands-on making, as well as take home a final product that is reflective of a creative process that was free flowing and experimental.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Yes! I believe Los Angeles is a place that needs more structured opportunities for accessible art making. That being said, there are so many dynamic arts organizations increasing access to meaningful and engaging experiences with art, and I am so proud to be a part of the constellation of the LA art community.