Artist of the Month
Sarah Bennett - August 2025
Sarah Victoria Bennett is an actor, playwright, director, and theatre producer. Since 2003, she has owned and operated her own company, The Ophelia Theatre Group, which she founded in her hometown of Lake Elsinore, California. In 2011, the company—along with 15 members—relocated to the neighborhood of Astoria in New York City, where they produced plays, musicals, and original works for nearly a decade. Now settled back in Lake Elsinore, Sarah and her company are enjoying an exciting new chapter as they continue to originate and produce theatrical experiences for their local community.
In keeping with her love of music and entertainment, Sarah has also run her own karaoke hosting business for the past 14 years and has coordinated countless fundraisers and themed events. Outside of show business, she enjoys interior design, home organizing, and making her own jewelry. Above all, she values quality time with family and friends and is passionate about making meaningful contributions to society through compassion, connection, and creativity.
Cesar Castenada - July 2025
Cesar Castaneda was born in Riverside, California, and spent his early childhood in Corona, where he began his education. He later moved with his family to Lake Elsinore. His parents, originally from Tijuana, Baja California, often brought him back to their hometown, where he was immersed in a vibrant world of art. From murals on walls to painted taxis, buses, and store windows, these frequent visits left a lasting impression and profoundly shaped his artistic journey.
Cesar's earliest inspiration came from his younger brother, whose natural talent for drawing he deeply admired. Another major influence was his Tio Ricky, who introduced him to the world of kustom cars. Captivated by the bold paint jobs and the idea that anyone could create their own masterpiece in a backyard garage, Cesar found his passion for kustom car building ignited.
Four years ago, during a difficult period in his life, Cesar turned to acrylic painting as a form of therapy. Since then, his artwork has become a channel for expressing messages of resilience and hope.
In addition to painting, he has honed his skills in traditional metal finishing—a craft he regards as its own form of art. He also enjoys creating metal sculptures whenever he has the opportunity. Today, Cesar dedicates his time to working with adults with disabilities, sharing the skills and insights he has gained through his own personal and creative journey.
Travis Johnson - June 2025
Travis Johnson: A Rising Star on the Stage and Beyond
Born in Virginia and a Californian since the tender age of two and a half, Travis Johnson is a dynamic young performer with a passion for musical theater. Family is a cornerstone of Travis's life, and he cherishes spending time with his two siblings, his friends and his two beloved dogs.
Travis's passion for performance extends beyond formal stages, he's an avid karaoke singer. It was during one such karaoke night that his talent shone brightly, leading to a pivotal discovery, which resulted in an invitation to be the headlining performer at Lake Elsinore's Dia De Los Muertos Festival in November 2024.
Travis is eagerly preparing to delight audiences as he takes on the comedic and endearing role of Donkey in the Norris Performing Arts Center's upcoming production of Shrek Jr The Musical. This marks another exciting chapter in his burgeoning stage career.
Audiences may recognize Travis from his impressive array of past roles, where he has consistently showcased his versatility and talent. He has previously charmed as the energetic Perch Perkins in The Spongebob Musical, brought the studious Nigel to life in Matilda Jr. The Musical, embodied the joyful Michael in Elf Jr, and illuminated the stage as the suave Lumiere in Beauty and The Beast Jr.
Beyond his captivating performances, Travis is a dedicated student of the craft. He has honed his skills through training in Tap, Broadway dance, and Jazz, adding precision and flair to his stage presence. His commitment to excellence extends to competing in Triple Threat competitions, where he showcases his well-rounded abilities in acting, singing, and dancing. Keep an eye on this talented young performer as he continues to shine!
Jesse Schenck - May 2025
Jesse is an aspiring artist local to Lake Elsinore. While growing up he drew inspiration from the most influential and imaginative innovators known throughout history of time and space. As the years passed by, he perfected a style that is distinguishable from the infinite talents of other developing artists. With a devotion to the mystique, he continues to create a peculiar collection of paintings and productions that captivate the perplexity of this questionable reality.
“Art is a lie that makes us realize the truth”
— Pablo Picasso
Current varieties of work include concepts, visions, and dreams of a unified community of people connected by hope, love, and imagination.
Janene Vlach - April 2025
STUDIO 395 is proud to present an extraordinary multi-media artist, Janene Vlach, whose latest artistic endeavors excite the eyes of their beholders and inspire their imaginations.
Janene’s unique style began in high school where she combined skills learned in leather shop with life drawing, bronze, and ceramic sculpture. Her exploration of dimensional art spanned jewelry fabrication and glass blowing in college. In 2016, after retiring from her self-owned preschool in Lake Elsinore, Janene started to explore her artistic passion with renewed vigor. She joined the ranks of STUDIO 395 artists and volunteered her passion for decorating for holidays to innumerable events: Dia De Los Muertos at Lakeland Village Community Center and on Main Street with The City of Lake Elsinore; Christmas at the Outlets of Lake Elsinore: “Elf U”; and many interactive art maze events.
A public art advocate, Janene is always an inspiration to collaborative group projects. Paper mache captured her interest recently and she led the STUDIO 395 construction of two 18’ tall Catrinas for the Lake Elsinore 2022 Dia De Los Muertos.
Janene has explored a new found passion in acrylic pours which she explains to have a “therapeutic value that has changed me. Although I have a lot to learn, this has been another fulfilling experience. I can’t wait to see what opens up for me next.” She is no longer offering acrylic pour classes on a regular basis, but interested students can contact STUDIO 395 to set up an appointment.
Janene’s latest adventure involves creating a paper mache replica of the beloved Lake Elsinore Sea Serpent which will curl around the pillars of the Cultural Center for the Lake Elsinore Bunny Trunk Hop and the preview of the Lake Elsinore Historical Society History Days.
Elizabeth Baglia - March 2025
Elizabeth Baglia, the creator of Art of Ascension, is an artist with seven years of experience blending digital art and photography to craft otherworldly creations. Her work brings the fantastical to life, inspiring her audience to reconnect with the magic and wonder they dreamt of as children.
Elizabeth’s artistic journey began with angel portraits, deeply personal pieces that reflected a blend of spiritual connection and creative expression. These early works were not just art—they were gateways to something greater, a way for people to see themselves in a new, more radiant light. These portraits set the foundation for her passion: creating art that resonates on an emotional and imaginative level.
For Elizabeth, art is about storytelling and transformation. By merging digital art techniques with photography, she creates rich, layered compositions that feel both familiar and otherworldly. This approach allows her to capture details that blur the line between the real and the fantastical, offering her clients a chance to see themselves in magical, empowering ways.
"My goal is to breathe life into the worlds we used to imagine as children," Elizabeth explains. "Art should inspire and transport us—it should be a reminder that we carry magic within us, even in the midst of our everyday lives."
Elizabeth’s work often centers on themes of transformation, wonder, and the connection between the human spirit and the unseen realms of possibility. Through Art of Ascension, she invites her audience to embrace their inner child and step into realms of imagination that feel tangible and alive.
Whether she’s designing art for individuals, book covers, or personal collections, Elizabeth’s work speaks to a universal longing for beauty, meaning, and the extraordinary.
As she continues to grow her craft, Elizabeth is steadfast in her mission: to create art that uplifts, inspires, and reminds us all of the power of dreaming. Through Art of Ascension, she offers more than just artwork—she offers an invitation to rediscover wonder.