At Damoya Art Academy, our vision is to build a creative home where imagination, community, and art flourish together.
We aspire to become the Bay Area’s most inspiring hub for artistic growth and cultural connection — a place where children, families, and adults of all backgrounds come together to create, share, and celebrate the joy of expression.
We envision a world where every person, regardless of age or experience, feels empowered to explore their creativity, embrace diversity, and find belonging through the transformative power of art.
Our dream is simple yet profound — to nurture creativity that connects hearts, families, and generations.
Ms. Michelle Yao graduated from Fudan University and has been passionate about art since childhood. She believes that art is not only a means of expression but also a way to understand the world and appreciate life. Her early exposure to art nurtured a deep sensitivity to beauty and creativity, laying a solid foundation for her later dedication to art education. Through years of teaching and educational practice, Ms. Yao has come to deeply understand that the essence of art education lies in inspiring children’s creativity and self-confidence.
As the Director of Damoya Art Academy, she is devoted to creating a warm, inspiring learning environment where every child can discover their confidence through creativity and find their own artistic voice through exploration and expression. Ms. Yao places particular emphasis on early childhood art enlightenment. She advocates the philosophy of “learning with joy and growing through creation.” She encourages children to observe the world through painting, to express their emotions freely, and to develop imagination, focus, and aesthetic awareness — allowing art to become a sincere companion in their journey of growth.
Joanne Wang is a multidisciplinary artist, fabricator, and educator based in Oakland, California. Through secondhand textiles, found objects, and intricate sewing techniques, she creates abstract soft sculptures and fiber art that reflect on themes of consumerism, labor, waste, and identity.
Alongside her personal art practice, Joanne works as a fabricator, producing custom art and displays for businesses and events. Her extensive experience in this field has exposed her to diverse mediums and techniques—including art installation, printmaking, woodworking, metalwork, casting, and mural painting—broadening her approach to art-making.
Joanne holds a BA in Art and Biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Both her art practice and professional work are deeply rooted in sustainability, as she seeks to explore the intersections between discarded materials, consumer culture, and the natural beauty of our planet.
Dedicated to community engagement, Joanne shares her skills and inspirations through education. She currently teaches sustainable fashion design to children and teens in after-school programs and hosts private embroidery workshops across the Bay Area.
Graduated from the China Academy of Art
Course offerings:
Sketching, oil painting, ink painting, line drawing, color theory, creative art, mixed media, competition coaching, and more.
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