In August of 2013 the group received their 501(c)3 California Non-Profit status establishing STUDIO 395 Foundation, Inc. and allowing further growth and sustainability. As always, the goals and purposes were service to the community via the arts and supporting local artists. Third Saturday’s moved to La Rebelde Winery and their back alley.

The group began their signature Día De Los Muertos event in 2011 as a kind of guerilla takeover of the historic downtown district with the support of those local businesses, having local musicians play, ballet folklorico dance, and local artists creating, and painting the faces of young attendees. By 2014, the City of Lake Elsinore and the Downtown Merchants Association joined in and an iconic annual event was begun.

After successes with grant funding by The National Endowment for the Arts, Southern California Edison, and the Riverside and California Arts Councils, among others, the group took on the opportunity to be the contract operator of the Riverside County’s Lakeland Village Community Center. They did that from 2017 through 2025 supporting arts and recreation and building a community hub of resources and positive activity in unincorporated Lakeland Village.

In 2019, the group took on space at The Outlets at Lake Elsinore with the intent of creating interactive art experiences for the local community. Starting In 2021, they worked with Outlet management to help transform waning retail space into a new vibrant destination for entertainment and unique activities, including window displays and a gallery venue. The idea of outlier art in large scope has become a hallmark of STUDIO 395 and the space is designed to provide space for creation, and a venue for classes and events.

Classes at the Community Center and the Outlets Workshop allow for local artists to teach their skills and for local community members to learn and grow. Space at the Outlets allows for local artists to create and contribute to community events. Through grant funding efforts, STUDIO 395 attempts to teach local youth and encourage their practical application of skills, particularly as a vocation. As an organization that values the broad definition of “art”, they are continually seeking ways to contribute and to find places for others to contribute. Currently they work closely with fellow non-profit, Art Not Drugs, and have hosted grant funded classes for middle and high school-aged youth stressing how art can provide a positive outlet for emotions and provide them an alternative to the negative influence of drugs, alcohol, and gangs. The Workshop also is home to the local Ophelia Theatre Group who create and perform their own original plays and musical varieties.

In 2021, STUDIO 395 lost its last participating founder, Grace Sandlin, but with a small staff and a dedicated board of local supporters, the mission and vision of the group continues. The group is continually seeking out those that understand the importance of art to a community to assist in cultural and economic development, in addition to providing a means to belonging, civic pride, personal self-esteem, among other profoundly positive impacts.

Please feel free to contact us to find out more about how you can help via your time, your ideas, your funds, or whatever you have to offer!