The journey began with the dream of setting up a creative art space to inspire both children and adults.
Recapturing attendees imagination and luring them away from screens, we engage the classes with multi-sensory art activities. We use a variety of art materials and techniques, which promote problem solving skills as an integral part of the creative process.
Creating artworks around a central theme - like Mexican Mayhem or Free As A Bird - students are led over four sessions to explore and grow their ideas.
Celebrated local artisans and upcoming aspiring artists are invited to join and enrich the programs with their expertise and novel ideas.
"THE intention is to bring back awe and wonder into everyday life. Our space provides an opportunity where 'playing with purpose' culminates in meaningful artwork that the child, and indeed their family, will cherish."
Principal Teacher & Founder
Karen Sabitay
Born Dallas, Texas; lived in USA, France, England and Queensland before settling in Perth, Western Australia.
Graduated with Class of ’79 at MLC, straight into WACAE to become a Primary School teacher with majors in Art and Psychology. Full circle teaching experience from Junior Primary Coordinator in remote Derby District High School, JS Arts Specialist in Geraldton and Beechboro Primary.
Later 21 years as Arts Specialist at Scotch College, which afforded me two long service breaks with amazing travel and learning opportunities including a mosaic course in Ravenna Italy, taught the traditional technique using smalti from Venice, with an axe and lime putty. Travel, art and photography have featured predominantly in my life.
Recent challenges include Assistant Manager at Dirk Hartog Island EcoLodge, after school art classes, relief teaching at a diverse range of schools, including a Fine Arts academy here in Perth and as an educational tour guide with Sculptures by the Sea.
Guest Artists
Jan Kennedy
Artist: Visual artist
Studio Area: Painting, mixed media, textiles
Theme link to: “Table to Wall”
Qualification: B.A. (crafts) Grand Diploma in Education
Experience: 30 years teaching Visual Arts at both primary and secondary level.
Skills to pass on: Passion for pattern, colour, and texture.
What motivates you: Anything visually pleasing! Styling, interiors, fashion, and food always motivate me to create.
Hayley Kruger
Artist: Acrylic Artist / Educator
Theme linked to: ‘MACRO FLOWER’
Qualification: Learning on the go!
Experience: Thousands of hours honing my skills and learning through experience. Extensive product knowledge from working at an art store and education supplier.
Skills to pass on: How to capture light on form, paint in acrylics with impasto techniques and seeing the beauty in the natural world. Belief that ‘ Anyone can do it if you have enough passion and determination.’
What motivates you: Inspired by the strength and architectural form of native Australian plants, capturing their bold colours and shapes.
Check out Hayley’s work here.
Karina Buckingham
Artist: Karina Buckingham
Theme linked to: Escape into Nature
Experience: Classically trained, professional artist who is passionate about paint and the trees and coast which makes Perth life so unique. She has also tutored adult painting workshops and held private classes for the last two years.
Skills to pass on: mark making techniques and how to create depth in paintings to enhance a sense of calm and contentment evoked by a familiar place.
Check out her work here.
Paul Bradley
Artist: Street Photographer
Theme linked to: ‘Shapey Things’
Qualification: Advanced Diploma Photography, world traveller, carpenter, carer and Perth street corner specialist. Avid minimalist.
Experience: 51 years life experience, success with failure, shooting and showing photographs for about 25 years.
Skills to pass on: How to see the incredible in the obvious..how to find pattern in the plain. How to have a laugh with a stranger..how to be confident with challenges..
What motivates you: Exploration, observation and relation. To remember how wonderful the world is in the day to day stuff, working angles to capture the subject whether with a camera or a pen.
Roberta Leary
Artist: Textiles Artist
Theme linked to: ‘Bazaar Bazaar’
Qualification: Bachelor of Arts – Major in Design, Diploma in Fashion & Design
Experience: Certificate IV Training & assessment. Owner & Founder of Baker St Sewing School
Skills to pass on: Dyeing and stencilling techniques, colour combinations and embellishing with stitching
What motivates you: Colour & pattern and making beautiful things. I have loved interior design and textiles since I was 10, particularly ethnic cultures. memories.
Jade Foo
Artist: Watercolourist
Theme linked to: ‘Free As A Bird’
Qualification: Bachelor of Fine Arts- Major in painting & photography, Graduate Diploma Applied Communication ( Graphic Design)
Experience: Sessional academic illustrator( Creative & Cub), Digital Artist, Photo Retoucher and Graphic Artist
Skills to pass on: Watercolour painting techniques
What motivates you: Using medium of watercolour to capture expressive qualities of animals, including birds and peoples’ pet portraits.
Jaine Saggers
Artist: Florist
Theme linked to: ‘Wild about Wildflowers’
Qualification: Teacher, on line courses
Experience: 10-12 workshops in Perth, Producing a variety of arrangements for events
Skills to pass on: Treatment of home grown flowers, arrangement of flowers and greenery
What motivates you: The beauty of native flowers and plants in Australia and South Africa, as well as the therapeutic qualities of floristry
Novi bradbury
Artist: Photographer
Theme linked to: ‘She Sells Sea Shells’
Qualification: Cert III in 3D Design, Design Fundamentals, and Design for Industry
Experience: Owner and photographer at Snaps by Novi
Skills to pass on: Drawing and rendering techniques for shading in mixed media
What motivates you: Creating memories, working angles to capture the subject whether with a camera or with a pen