Our Faculty
Leo Fuchs
Teacher & Founder
Leo Fuchs is director of education for Desert Art Academy and has developed and written the curriculum for the programs and courses that are offered.
Mr. Fuchs is an award winning artist, a master at color theory, paint mixing and application, and arts educator who has taught at major art and design colleges.
He is also known for his many lectures on art and art education, and as a motivational speaker. He has published numerous articles on the creative development of children, multi level intelligence, and right brain thinking in the cyber age. He has appeared on many TV and Radio programs where he has interviewed major leaders from the art and design fields.
Leo Fuchs is an outstanding educator who over the last 30 years has helped hundreds of students make their way to top colleges as well as professional careers.
Gianna Bonaddio
Teacher & Children’s Program Supervisor
Incredibly gifted in the field of arts, Gianna is a young talent with a passion for teaching and helping others. Her skills range from drawing, to gouache, to oil painting.
In addition to this, she has a knack for working with and connecting with our younger students. She always finds new and engaging projects that are loved by our students and campers alike.
Hunter Zhang
Teacher & Program Director
Hunter has a lifetime of experience in the arts. He has experiences in most mediums you can think of but specializes in the core principles of art. These include figure study, still life, oil painting, charcoal, graphite, ink illustration, sculpture and much more.
His role at the studio is a vital one. He takes the charge of both creating, curating, and promoting our various classes, programs, and workshops. As well as teaching in many of those programs himself.
Jaime Pajarito
Assistant Manager
Jaime’s role at the school is broad. But because of his adaptability and unceasing motivation to make Desert Art Academy the best that it can be, our school has been able to function at its best.
Jaime is also an incredible and studious artist. He specializes on the portrayal of the human figure, landscapes, and more conceptual imagery; both in painting and in drawing.
Jaden Pacia
Advertising & Media Director
Jaden began his Desert Art Academy journey simply as a student. But his skills quickly developed to the point where he was getting his own commissions and even spearheading his own artistic business.
Jaden came on board with the Desert Art Academy team soon after. Being an adept Digital artist, he produces everything from our stickers, and shirts to creating our advertisements.
He is a talented, driven, and amazingly creative individual. We’re always excited to see what he comes up with next.