Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Scardino
Hi Amber , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started teaching process art out of my home studio in 2013 when my boys were little. After five years, we purchased a designated space on Brodie Ln when we were ready to grow. That jump felt so big and I felt like we would never fill it coming from my garage studio. Well we have. I have sixteen amazing creative guides that run many programs -for example toddler playgroups, preschool, homeschool, after school classes, camps, art parties, and adult art nights… What we have created on Brodie Ln has been well received. Our summer camps sold out in eight minutes this year, breaking our twenty minute sell out the previous year. To meet the demand we have purchased a property and are about to break ground on our second location further south near Dripping Springs. This will be our flagship studio, but we will happily keep the magic going at our first location. We are excited to be able to serve more families and kids, offering more creative experiences and reaching more people. The second location will have some extras like a splatter paint room and a more built out maker space. Plus, more room, means more animals. We have lots of animals to teach kids empathy and responsibility. This part of our program came about over time and naturally. Everything just feels better with a bunny to snuggle and care for.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Of course, as with any business there have been challenges along the way. Don’t even get me started about Covid. That is a time I just look back on and feel very thankful that we were able to pivot and get through it. Not everyone was so lucky.
Transitional times can feel heavy and challenging. It is always hard when employees that you care about move on, but luckily we have become a hot spot for educators and creatives that want to be part of the Figment community. We are a fast growing business and everyone that I hire brings their own special magic to the team. We are a team working toward a common goal – education and creative growth. Growing into the new space, building out the right team is extremely important. I have already been spending a lot of time interviewing candidates for the second location and we break ground next week.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At Figment we place process art at the core of all that we do. Our students are invited to freely explore a variety of materials, techniques, and ideas without worrying about making something “perfect”. They are given the freedom to make choices, take risks, and learn from their mistakes. Process art encourages creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and self-confidence. It promotes open-ended exploration, imagination, and the development of individual artistic voices. It also values the uniqueness and diversity of each person’s creative process, fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment. As the kids grow with us we offer more hands on learning, maker education, and bring more STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) into the mix. The kids are constantly learning through play and just flat out learning, but in fun ways that they don’t even see it as a classroom. We are known as that creative place that you get to make messes, snuggle animals, and find your creative self. What could be more important for a child’s development? I am very proud of what we have created and where we are going.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love Austin. I love the people and culture. People often say that we feel like old school Austin and what made Austin Austin years ago. We are doing our best to “Keep Austin Weird” at Figment. Kids can be kids, feel at home, and be their true creative selves. We host elections where our “furry friends” (animals) run for office, we have parades, make noise, play hard, and have even been known to roll around in paint.
Austin is growing fast, since it is amazing and a great place to live. My family moved out to Dripping Springs a few years ago. We felt like we needed a little space and followed my dream to have a mini farm in the country. We are close enough to the city to do all the things, but feel so at home where we are now. We are very excited to grow Figment into the Dripping Springs area and offer the Figment magic to this growing community. So I guess we are bringing a little Keep Austin Weird to Dripping Springs.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://figmentcreativelabs.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/figmentcreative/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/figmentcreative
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-levis-scardino-90403213/
- Twitter: https://x.com/FigmentAustin
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@figmentcreativelabs9860
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/figment-creative-labs-childrens-art-classes-austin
Image Credits
Coxist Studio- Architects rendering of Figment #2
