“I took several classes with William Zwick and I thoroughly enjoyed my experience.
He is not only an accomplished artist himself but a passionate teacher as well. He accommodates his classes to a variety of levels and learning styles. His approach is exactly what I needed to bring my art on a new level.”
“In any profession, it’s very rare to find an individual who is incredibly proficient in their craft and also be just as skilled at teaching it. William is the rare talent who is highly proficient at both. I recommend his academy to any of both casual and serious who wants to improve their knowledge and skill at making art.”
William is the primary instructor at ZAFA, other teachers are periodically invited to teach specific workshops, give lectures, or as teaching assistants for larger classes.
William Zwick – Founder and Director
Born in Providence, Rhode Island, William Zwick was introduced to the world of art at an early age through the influence of his mother, Val Brewer, a dedicated painter with a home studio. Surrounded by art from a young age, he began taking classes at the Rhode Island School of Design, nurturing a lifelong interest in drawing and painting.
At age thirteen, William and his family relocated to O‘ahu, where he enrolled at Punahou School. During high school, he explored a range of visual art disciplines including sculpture, life drawing, and glassblowing. After graduating in 2006, he moved to California to attend Laguna College of Art and Design, where he majored in Fine Art.
During his time at Laguna, William served as a student instructor and graduated summa cum laude in 2010. He was awarded “Best Senior Painting” in the college’s annual Best of the Best juried exhibition. Following graduation, he continued his studies abroad at the prestigious Florence Academy of Art in Italy, enrolling in their three-year classical atelier program. There, he was again selected as a student instructor and earned multiple scholarships, culminating in the award for “Best Painting of the Year” in 2012.
Through these academic experiences, William developed not only a deep respect for traditional techniques, but also a passion for teaching. His instructional style focuses on breaking down the complexities of classical drawing and painting into clear, teachable principles—emphasizing a practical, “nuts and bolts” approach that empowers students to build strong foundational skills.
After completing his studies in Florence, William returned to Honolulu and founded the Zwick Academy of Fine Art (ZAFA). Located in downtown Honolulu, ZAFA was established to bring rigorous, classical art instruction to the local community. In addition to teaching and directing programs at the academy, William has been invited to lecture at Punahou School, Windward Community College, and the Maui Arts & Cultural Center.
Julia Sakamoto
Julia is a working artist and educator living in Kailua, Hi. In 2022, after a decade of working in a corporate office, she pivoted to focus full-time on motherhood and her artistic practice. Her warm and approachable instruction style is a testament to her years of teaching and tutoring students of varying ages.
She has studied under established artists William Zwick, Eric Maurus, Sergio Garzon and others. Her training is primarily in traditional oil painting and drawing, but she also creates artworks in acrylics and mixed media collage.
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