Meet Sara Butler | Owner/Artist at South Bay Artist Studio

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sara Butler and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sara, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The most important factor to the success of South Bay Artist Studio is the community it has created. The people who attend our studio’s offerings help to foster a dynamic and ever-evolving environment that champions creation. Our goal is to establish a welcoming and peaceful space that not only creates art, but it cultivates a place of love, camaraderie, and growth.

Shared experiences, stories, and values create a powerful connection, distinguishing the studio in the minds of our guests. This alignment is crucial in today’s era where most people seek authenticity and purpose beyond just the products they purchase.

Beyond sales and profits, it’s about building relationships, fostering meaningful experiences, and empowering individuals. The businesses that understand and invest in nurturing their communities are not only driving their success today, but are also building a solid foundation for a prosperous future. By recognizing the significance of community, businesses can harness their potential to elevate their brand and create a positive and lasting impact on the lives of their customers.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Since I was young, I have always been doing artwork; I learned stitching from mother at age 7. I continued to foster my creative talents and became the art director at a summer camp in upstate New York for 20 years. I had no formal training in many of the art forms I aimed to teach, so I researched projects that would expand the program beyond typical friendship bracelet-making and tie-dying. This was the first big challenge I faced as an artistic educator, and it led me to understand my creative vision as a teacher. I learned that in order to succeed in art is to, at its core, have fun and enjoy the learning process. I want my studio space to be a place for anyone of any skill level to have fun and enjoy themselves as they grow as artists.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in Redondo Beach, California, which is a suburb of Los Angeles. The area is known as a beach city and is very quintessential Southern California. Must sees around the area are the piers on the coast, the cliffs of Terranea on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, and the many great restaurants. The Redondo pier is an amazing spot to go on a mid-day walk; the salt kissed air is always so refreshing. The sunset at Terranea resort is the best way to experience the magnificent sunsets on the west coast. As for the restaurants around the area, Eat at Joe’s is local staple. It’s a small American diner with amazing food and even more amazing people. For an evening meal, Hudson House is the best all-American bar and grill with great taco Tuesdays! Those are only a few of the incredible places to visit around the area.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am particularly grateful to the strong, artistic, and brilliant women in my life and those in this community who have welcomed me into their lives. The encouragement and support from my mom and three sisters, Ellen, Carla and Heidi, has allowed me to take the leap and open my studio doors. My sister Carla (@carlahoffmanrealtor) was the first person to see the studio space and within minutes helped me negotiate my lease.

I have had a number of women who started out as customers and have become close friends; they have been instrumental in helping me keep the studio on track and organized. Kristin T Love and Kim Faulkner are two of those such people. Kristin has become my business mentor and consultant, as well as a studio instructor who leads ceramics classes. Kim is the most amazing organizer and assistant. She often can be found sorting supplies, answering the phones, calling customers, and working on her never ending mosaic. My dear friend and fellow artist, Mary Minchella (@sorellaminchella), encouraged me to put my first class on the calendar and let people see how I work. I am forever grateful for her guidance and abundant knowledge of web design, graphic design, and marketing; not to mention her quick wit and succulent arrangements (complete with puns relating to fun and friendship). These women started out as customers and have become dear friends. Without them, South Bay Artist Studio would not be as successful as it is.

Lastly, my BFF since high school, Leslie, has encouraged me every step of the way and has been a constant source of support. In addition to being an art lover and artist, she is also an experienced entrepreneur, and I’ve learned so much from seeing her so gracefully navigate the business world that artists tend to avoid. I continue to derive inspiration from the women in my life and world around me.

Website: sbartiststudio.com

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