Teralta Art

Our Story: Maggie Shen and Amanda Gardner co-founded Teralta Art in 2009. Art has a place in everyone's life, not just museums. An archaeological site tells a story about how art was made and the inventive ways people solved daily problems, their artistic tastes, and children's learning habits. Constructing art is alive. Art production should not be dismissed. It is a representation of life. When a person needs shelter, it is an oasis. When emotions are volatile, it provides a path out of danger. Teralta Art Studio is located in City Heights San Diego, an area with many immigrants, refugees, and economically disadvantaged individuals. We collaborate with these populations to ensure they can create art and impact our region's culture. We have provided free or low-cost ceramics classes at our studio more than900 times since June 2021. We have partnered with the National Conflict Resolution Center, district attorneys who partner to build an alternative to juvenile justice systems. Many of our regular patrons have relationships beyond the studio, enhancing the cohesion and integration of our community, transcending the walls of the business. As a group of citizens, our goal is to create a positive cycle of art that can benefit all individuals in their daily lives.