Rustin ValeraGuide · At ArtPlay since 2026
“It comes down to empathy and relationships — everything else follows.”
RustinRustin is the newest ArtPlay guide. He studied psychology at Arizona State, then spent five years with kids and families who needed a lot of one-on-one — first at a Phoenix hospital, then in day programs for kids who needed extra support, most recently alongside social workers in Glendale. Along the way he picked up a leadership award, an excellence award, and the one we like best: a Fun Award, for the family events he put together. He is at the studio every other Saturday and on weekday afternoons and evenings.
BS Psychology, Arizona State University
Why families pick Rustin
He makes it fun
His last two workplaces gave him awards for it. The family events he planned were the ones people showed up for, and that same energy is what a kid meets in the room.
One-on-one is his default
Five years of sitting with one kid at a time. He is used to slow warm-ups, big feelings, and the kid who needs a few minutes of building before any talking happens.
The times that go fastest
Saturdays and after-school afternoons are the first to fill at ArtPlay. Those are exactly the hours Rustin keeps.
What parents say
Rustin is new to ArtPlay, so the parent feedback is still coming in. In the meantime, the guides who trained them are one page away.
Around the studio
Rustin works across the studio, so here is some of what a kid finds when they come in: the galaxy wall and the Hot Wheels loop, the tent swing under the waterfall, the mountain room, and Sunny, who belongs to the whole building.
Book a time with Rustin
These are Rustin’s real openings, straight from their calendar. Only the times marked Open are available — tap one and it’s yours to book.
Same guide, same time. The off week is where your kid practices what they learned.
Due at the session. Siblings together are $170. Cancel with 24 hours’ notice and it’s free.
Rustin walks you through every session before you leave — and what to try at home.
50 minutes with Rustin, just you, $100. Pick any open time and choose “Just me.”
Meet the other guides
Every guide works the same ArtPlay way. The differences are style, specialty, and who your kid clicks with.