When artist Anne Laddon arrived in Paso Robles, CA after marrying rancher Jim Irving who she met on a Colorado whitewater rafting trip, the graphic designer began dreaming of creating a community art center.

At the time, talented artists in the Paso Robles area had nowhere to showcase and sell their artwork, and the region had little local exposure to the visual arts. But Anne not only had a vision, she had the background, experience, and the foresight that the area was more than ready for a robust visual arts scene.

Anne’s background included a degree in Art History, followed by graduate studies at UCLA and UC Berkeley. She began her career as a graphic designer for an ad agency in San Franciso. 

Laddon then became one of the founding artists of the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria, VA. She and five other artists joined together to renovate the abandoned waterfront building, making it a working space for artists. In total, 220 professional artists represented studios covering a myriad of artistic media. Anne’s specialty was printmaking and colorful, bold graphic designs.

Because Anne’s experience with the Torpedo Factory was so memorable, when she came across an abandoned 1930s Paso Robles building across from the picturesque downtown park, she knew what she had to do. The building carried a long history as a Hudson-Packard dealership, repair shop, and auto parts store. There was a “For Lease” sign posted, and Laddon convinced the auto parts store owner to agree to a long-term lease.

Though the 9,375 square-foot building was in rough shape and left vacant after the 2003 San Simeon earthquake, Anne recognized its possibilities.

“After all,” she said, “I’d already had the experience of renovating an abandoned building once before with a team of visionaries.”

In 2007, starting with a blank canvas, Laddon founded non-profit Studios on the Park, Inc., an organization she says is “dedicated to providing a creative, educational, and transformational experience to enhance understanding and appreciation of the visual arts.”

She signed the lease at 1130 Pine Street, formed a board of directors, and rolling up her sleeves, she got to work.

Studios on the Park opened to the public in 2009. “Build it and they will come”, and, yes, the art lovers came. Paso Robles now had an open-studio art center in the heart of historic downtown with six studios, 15 working artists, four galleries, monthly changing exhibits, and a fine craft and fine art gift store. Artists pay a nominal license fee and only a small percentage of their sales are given back to the studio.

The front half of a lighted 1953 Hudson Hornet greets visitors entering the studio – a donation from a friend’s garage – a perfectly appropriate trophy paying homage to the building’s long history.  

What I personally love about Studios on the Park is that each time I’ve visited, resident artists are on site, providing the opportunity to speak to the artist and see the creative process in action. Drop-ins get to know the artists and their work better. That doesn’t happen in many art galleries.

Studios on the Park is also focused on community involvement, hosting hundreds of free art classes, art exhibitions, and eight art festivals with the City of Paso Robles.

“The Arts Around Us” celebrates far more than just the visual arts. It includes inspiring community voices throughout a myriad of artistic expressions to include poetry readings, sensory art creators, musicians, renowned music composers, orchid breeders, and an upcoming event featuring an artist who transforms high-performance automotive parts into sculptural art. These events are all free to the public.

Each month, a variety of classes and workshops are available for a nominal fee for both children and adults covering painting, drawing, printmaking, sewing, mixed media, cookie making and decorating, and more.

Anne says that what she’s most proud of is Studio on the Park’s “Kid Art Smart Program.” Throughout the school year, students from local K-6 schools arrive by bus for hands-on professional art classes completely free of charge. Children are encouraged to create their own work using mediums such as marbelizing, watercolor, collage, sculpting, ceramics and printmaking.

“There’s nothing like seeing the pride in a child’s eyes when they take their parent by the hand and show them what they have created,” Laddon said. “Not in a school classroom, but in an actual art studio.”

Since the program’s inception in 2011, over 18,000 children have participated in the program. Last year alone saw more than 2,500 participants with 55 percent of these representing low-income families. Given the lack of funds providing little to no formal arts education in our public schools, Kids Art Smart changes this, encouraging creative thinking and personal expression.

These programs are funded by gifts from generous donors, community grants, Travel Paso, and volunteers in the community.

For the last 14 years, Studios on the Park has also brought the community together in its “Sweet Art Fundraiser” shining the light on an inspiring community leader. The 2025 event celebrated Stacie Jacob, a passionate advocate for Paso Robles’ tourism and wine industry.

Fifteen years after founding Studios on the Park, Anne Laddon has no intention of slowing down. And she has never taken a paycheck from the foundation. She loves creating art and believes that Studios still has so much to offer the community.

“Our next goal,” she said, “is to have one studio that showcases the work of outstanding middle and high school artists, but that takes funds, and every gift matters.”

Mark Twain once said, “Don’t dream your life, but live your dream” –– exactly what Anne Laddon has done. Her community is so much better for it.