Art Connects Us Art School and Art Therapy 242 6th Avenue, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

"We cannot say enough about Art Connects. Our daughter who just turned 4 last month takes a lot of other classes (ballet, karate etc) and this is her favorite by far. She actually takes 2 classes a week with Diane and she is constantly asking if she has art class that day and when she doesn't, she wants to know how many more days until art class. I don't know what it is that Diane (who is also a licensed art therapist) does but in addition to having fun and building her concentration, her art has come on tremendously. In September she would mainly draw lines with the occasional circle and now in November, she is drawing faces and animals and takes her drawing pad everywhere with her! Diane also has her experiment with different mediums such oils, watercolor, pastels, glue and colored paper. Diane and Eric and true artists and their love for art and passion for nurturing the inner artist in their students stands out. So grateful for this gem in Mt Pleasant!"

"Our kids are enjoying the class at Art Connects. Mrs. Dianne and Mr. Eric said that everyone has a talent for art and fantastically bring out individual talents. Kids are learning not only art skill and technique but (most importantly) how wonderful the artistic activity is! Our older child is now ~18 months since she started the art class, and she has been successfully accepted into the School of the Arts Middle School. We appreciate Mrs. Dianne and Mr. Eric for their teaching and also for their respect to kids as young artists. We will enjoy the Art Connects more and more!"

"I can’t say enough good things about Art Connects and its amazing instructors: local artists Dianne and Eric Vincent. My daughter has been a student with this incredibly special school for four years. In that time I have seen her thrive and bloom as a young artist. Dianne and Eric are not only nurturing in my daughter a lifelong love and appreciation of art but also encouraging characteristics that I believe will carry over to all aspects of her life: discipline; perseverance; desire and freedom to challenge herself; fortitude to set and meet high but realistic goals; and confidence. At Art Connects, they have created an atmosphere where kids are comfortable and have the freedom to explore their ideas and try many mediums. As perceptive and gifted instructors, Dianne and Eric like to get to know students -- and they truly seem to connect with each one and teach them as individuals. My daughter has always been meticulous in her process -- and Dianne and Eric understand how she works and encourage her every step of the way. I am amazed at the level of detail and work she has produced under their instruction: many pieces in sculpture, pen, pencil, watercolor, colored pencils, and pastels. Under their guidance, my daughter prepared for her audition at Charleston School of the Arts and successfully produced a portfolio with artwork of diverse mediums; she was subsequently admitted as a Visual Arts Major. At Art Connects, she completed a sculpture which won a first place ribbon at the County Fair, and she has participated in the Art Connects Art Show every spring. At the shows, all students have an opportunity to display (and even sell) their works of art to the public, and they also may even demonstrate the artistic process, sculpting or working on a piece-in-progress. My daughter had the chance to sculpt her “owl in flight” during a recent show. Dianne and Eric are also “givers” -- both in the community and the world at large -- and I find this is a wonderful example for my daughter. I am grateful for the expertise, passion and warmth that Dianne and Eric pour into Art Connects. They are ever-encouraging, always professional, and consistently a positive influence. They have inspired my daughter to understand that creating artwork is meaningful, and she derives great joy from her artwork and the process of producing it."

"We have had the BEST experiences with Dianne and Eric at art school. They exceeded our expectations well beyond a very high bar. They are renowned artists and extremely talented. It is one thing to possess talent. It is another to convey this talent, knowledge and technique to students so they may apply these invaluable tools to their own art. Dianne and Eric accomplish this and are patient, respectful and encouraging. Most importantly, they are the most caring and genuine people you will ever meet. They love what they do and are loved by all. There is no finer art school and no finer or talented mentors."

"I was privileged to stay with these lovely people when in Charleston and had no idea how powerful art as a therapy was; to intentionally draw from your emotions from the past. The clarity and release around the life-long issue I had carried was nothing less than amazing. I truly recommend this type of therapy for all ages. Eric and Dianne are absolutely committed to their work for others which enables greater potential for a client to experience a more complete holistic healing process. As a holistic health mentor I understand the power of intentional therapy."