Rising Stars: Meet Meline Sarkhoshyan of Glendale CA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Meline Sarkhoshyan

Hi Meline, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
It all started over a decade ago, the dream of creating something beautiful—a space where people could find not just art, but joy, healing, and community. As I graduated from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, I felt an overwhelming desire to open an art studio. I wanted to create a place where kids could discover their inner artists and where adults could tap into their creativity in ways that felt freeing and restorative. Color Splash Art & Learning Center was a dream born from my heart, and I was ready to make it a reality.

I had my business plan ready, I was scouting locations, and everything was falling into place. But just as I was on the brink of making my dream come true, the world came to a screeching halt. The pandemic swept in like a storm, and overnight, everything closed down. The world stood still, and so did my dream. With the lockdown in full force, I was left in limbo, questioning how to move forward, unsure of what to do next.

During this time, my sister also had a dream of opening a kids’ indoor playground. She too was ready to move forward, but the world had other plans, and that too didn’t happen. The pandemic took away so much from all of us. Yet, through it all, we found strength in each other. We held on to hope, even though the future felt uncertain.

But life had other plans for me in a way I never expected. Fast forward to 2023, and my world was shattered in ways I couldn’t have imagined. I went in for kidney surgery and contracted sepsis—an infection that nearly took my life. I was in critical condition for weeks, my body struggling to hold on. During that dark, painful time, I found myself lost—not just physically but emotionally. I was broken, exhausted, and defeated. It felt like a never-ending battle, and I didn’t know if I had the strength to keep going.

That’s when my sister, who had always been my biggest supporter, did something I’ll never forget. She knew how deep I had fallen, how much I was suffering. And when I thought I had nothing left in me, she stepped in with a lifeline. One day, she called me with a vision—she had found the perfect location for an art studio, our art studio. She wanted me to rise up and reclaim my life. She believed opening the studio would help me heal, help me find myself again. She said it would be the catalyst for my recovery.

And with that, everything began to change.

In what felt like a blur, everything fell into place. Within two weeks, we had signed the lease. We were already deep into the construction process, with my brother-in-law and his friend working day and night to bring the space to life. The energy, the determination, the love—it was all there, every step of the way. I felt hope start to rise in my heart once again, something I hadn’t felt in months. This was going to be my second chance, not just to open the studio, but to find my joy and my strength again.

June 1st, National Children’s Day, became the day we opened our doors to Color Splash Art & Learning Center. It was more than just an opening—it was a symbol of resurrection, of healing, of the power of family and love. We were overwhelmed by the support of our friends, our family, and even strangers from the community who came to celebrate with us. My mom, the rock of our family, had been a pillar of support for both my sister and me, offering financial help and emotional encouragement. Without her, none of this would have been possible, and for that, we are forever grateful.

Since that day, I’ve felt a warmth that only comes from being surrounded by love and purpose. Our community, especially in Glendale and Tujunga, has embraced us in ways I never imagined. They’ve shown up for our art classes, participated in paint-and-wine nights, celebrated birthdays with us, and joined in our weekend arts and crafts sessions. I can feel their support, their energy. It’s like the universe aligned, and everything that once felt impossible now feels destined.

I’ve learned that art isn’t just about creating something beautiful—it’s about healing. It’s about reconnecting with yourself, finding peace, and embracing your inner strength. This studio, this dream, is not just a place for kids and adults to learn and explore—it’s a space for transformation, for therapy, for emotional release. It’s a reminder that we can overcome the darkest moments in our lives and still find light.

Today, Color Splash Art & Learning Center is thriving, and it’s so much more than I could have ever imagined. Our hope is that it continues to inspire, to be a refuge for everyone who walks through its doors. We want this space to be a place where kids and adults alike can come to create, to heal, and to share in the joy of art. We want to inspire people to believe in themselves and in the power of creation.

Looking back, I can’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude—for my sister’s unwavering belief in me, for the support of my family, and for the love of our friends and community. They’ve helped us turn a dream into reality, and for that, we will be forever grateful. And as we move forward, I know that this place will continue to thrive because it’s not just about art—it’s about heart. It’s about people, connection, and the incredible power of creativity to heal and transform.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, but I wouldn’t change a thing. We’ve had our bad days, the kind where nothing seems to go right and the weight of it all feels too heavy. But then there are those easier days, where things just fall into place and we remember why we keep pushing forward. It’s been a journey of highs and lows, but somehow, we’ve made it through, one day at a time.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’ve been drawing since I was 3, and my journey in art truly began when my dad took me to art school at 6. Growing up in Armenia, I studied there until I was 14, then moved to the United States where I attended high school and took art classes at Magic Brush Art Center. After high school, I dreamed of studying in Italy, applying to both the Florence Art Academy and Angel Art Academy, and was accepted into both. Unfortunately, financial challenges held me back for a few years.

In 2012, I decided to pursue a BFA in Fine Art at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, graduating in 2015. It was an amazing experience. Afterward, I taught art to kids for three years, leading me to think about opening my own art school. I developed a business plan and started working towards making that dream a reality.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://colorsplashartcenter.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colorsplashartcenter
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/color-splash-art-and-learning-center-glendale