Today we’d like to introduce you to YanLin Premo.
Hi YanLin, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey with Lingzi Art Center began with a simple passion: to create a space where art isn’t just taught as a rigid technical skill, but as an expressive, lifelong language. I’ve always believed that everyone has a unique creative voice—whether it’s a young child picking up a brush for the first time or an adult looking to reconnect with their artistic side.
When I first opened the studio in Kingston, New Jersey, it was a humble endeavor driven by my deep love for art education. Over the years, thanks to the wonderful support of our local families, we’ve grown organically into two dynamic locations, expanding to the Oxford Valley Mall in Pennsylvania.
At Lingzi Art Center, our core curriculum covers a rich variety of mediums—from traditional sketching, graphite, and watercolor to acrylics, markers, and mixed media. But we are so much more than just a typical drawing class! We regularly host unique specialty workshops that bring people together, including parent-child and adult painting parties, pyrography (wood burning), traditional cloisonné crafting, and handmade Turkish lamp DIY sessions. We also love staying connected through local community art events.
One of our biggest highlights every year is our Summer Art Camp, where kids get to explore a whirlwind of diverse art styles and hands-on crafts in a short time.
Above all, our Annual Student Art Exhibition is a grand celebration that everyone looks forward to. It is a massive showcase where every single student is invited to exhibit their artwork. We even invite local musicians to join us and perform, turning the exhibition into a vibrant festival of sound and color that has truly become a cherished local tradition.
Looking back from where we started to where we are today—watching hundreds of students gain confidence, spark their imaginations, and find true joy in making art—has been incredibly rewarding. I’m so grateful to keep growing alongside our vibrant community!
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?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road—like any meaningful journey, it came with its own set of unique challenges and learning curves.
As an Asian art educator building a business and establishing roots in a new community, one of my biggest initial hurdles was simply navigating the cultural and language nuances to truly connect with the local community. In the beginning, taking those first steps to bridge differences and integrate into the local society required a lot of patience, open-mindedness, and perseverance.
However, art quickly became our universal language. Over time, as I shared my genuine love for creativity and dedicated myself to nurturing each student, those initial barriers completely faded away.
What touches my heart the most is how our growth happened. We didn’t build this studio through massive advertising campaigns; we grew because of word of mouth. The parents in our community saw their children thrive, saw the passion we put into every class, and naturally began recommending Lingzi Art Center to their friends and neighbors.
Looking back, those early struggles ended up being a blessing in disguise. They helped me adapt deeply to this new land, build authentic relationships with local families, and forge lifelong friendships. Today, I feel immensely proud not just to be an art teacher here, but to be a deeply rooted and trusted part of this warm community.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At my core, I am an art educator and an artist. What I specialize in—and what Lingzi Art Center is known for—is creating an environment where high-level artistic training meets rich, multidisciplinary creativity. Whether we’re teaching foundational sketch work, acrylics, and watercolors, or exploring hands-on specialties like pyrography, cloisonné, and custom crafts, my goal is to guide students to discover their unique creative voices while building solid artistic skills.
When people ask what sets me apart and what I am most proud of, it comes down to the unique blend of experiences that shaped who I am today:
Nearly 20 Years of Art Teaching in the US: Over two decades of hands-on teaching here have given me a deep understanding of local art education, student growth, and how to nurture talent at every skill level.
Mastery in Communication: Before focusing entirely on the art studio, I also served as a language teacher in international schools and private girls’ schools. That background was invaluable—it taught me that great teaching is 50% technical mastery and 50% communication. Knowing how to truly listen, connect, and build trust with kids and parents from diverse backgrounds is my absolute superpower in the classroom.
An Entrepreneurial Mindset: Before moving to the U.S., I was a successful entrepreneur who owned and operated a popular bar in Beijing. That experience instilled in me a sharp business sense, strong organizational skills, and a bold, creative drive.
Combining a strong fine arts foundation with top-tier communication skills and a seasoned business perspective allows me to run Lingzi Art Center not just as a school, but as a dynamic, innovative, and highly organized artistic sanctuary.
What makes me proudest is seeing how this holistic approach impacts our families. Parents know their children are getting exceptional art instruction in a warm, welcoming space led by someone who truly understands how to inspire young minds and build a thriving community.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I grew up in a big, vibrant, and incredibly warm family as the fifth of six siblings. My parents were open-minded, deeply supportive, and played a defining role in shaping the person and artist I am today.
My artistic spark definitely came from my father. He was exceptionally creative with his hands. Even without formal art training, he had an extraordinary ability to turn the simplest, most everyday objects into charming little works of art. Watching him bring things to life planted the seeds of creativity in me from a very young age.
My enthusiasm, curiosity, and expressive nature come from my mother. She was a master at sharing joy and had a wonderful gift for turning life’s challenges into moments of happiness. She approached everything in the world with boundless curiosity and optimism.
When they saw my passion for art, my parents fully backed me and sent me to formal art school at a young age. That solid foundation laid the path for my entire career. Art became my lifelong pursuit, but more importantly, my parents gave me an open mind and a love for continuous learning.
Beyond fine art, I have a deep love for poetry, and I even translated an art history book titled If Picasso Went to the Zoo (如果毕加索去过动物园) into Chinese. In my free time, I also love playing the violin, diving into interior design, and taking on all kinds of creative DIY projects.
Looking back, I truly believe that the environment a child grows up in makes all the difference. I am endlessly grateful to my parents for their wisdom, love, and support—they gave me the freedom to become my true self, and that same warm, inspiring environment is what I strive to recreate for every student who walks into Lingzi Art Center.
Pricing:
- Art lessons : $330/10lessons
- Art lessons : $830/30 lessons
- Summer camp : $500/week
- Painting party: 35/person
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lingziartcenter.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lingziartcenter?igsh=bDRhampjODFqMTFj&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lingziartcenter
