art Works art School
a community-oriented institution, is dedicated to introducing individuals of all ages to the captivating realms of art and design. Our approach combines traditional and contemporary studio practices with rich historical references. Originally situated in Toronto's Baby Point District, the iconic "The blue house on Jane" unfortunately had to close its doors at the original location.
However, we are thrilled to share that Art Works Art School will be returning to the Baby Point Community on February 1st. We are eagerly gearing up to offer engaging programs such as the March Break camp, the upcoming Spring term, and an exciting Summer camp. Join us on this artistic journey as we bring the enriching world of art to life in our new and welcoming setting.
Our Bunch
Joana Gomes, Director, She/Her
is the proud new director of Art Works Art School.
She is a graduate of Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning. She received a Diploma in 2016 for Recreational and Leisure Services as well as a certificate from Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning for Media Fundamentals, majoring in Photography in 2011.
She began her journey with Art Works in 2010 as a Co-op Student and grew into a variety of roles such as a Volunteer, Camp Manager, Volunteer Coordinator, Gallery Curator, Occasional Art Instructor, and most recently known as the Assistant Director. 14 years in total with Art Works!
Over the years her passion for business and art grew, becoming an entrepreneur at 24 years old creating paper flowers for special events and outdoor rug designs for home decor. Through the years she was learning from her peers and colleagues about art program planning, managing the staff, and observing the Director Emeritus of Art Works, Danica Loncar. Together they built a strong relationship with the Baby Point, Bloor West Village, Kingsway, and Junction Communities.
Joana’s goal for AWAS is to continue the Art Works legacy, being an inclusive art studio for all ages, and introduce the studio to other communities in Toronto.
www.instagram.com/sisterflowers__
Goodness Delivered
Our qualified, educated instructors are here to teach you or your little seeds the fundamentals, techniques, and the enjoyment art can offer. Our instructors believe art comes in so many forms and anyone can enjoy it whether they are in the beginner seed phase or blooming period! We consistently have more than half of our classes filled with returning students. In addition to long-term courses, Art Works seeks to involve the community through a range of art-related activities, family art days, lectures, workshops, art clubs, exhibitions, and open houses.
Anita Fowl (They/She)
is a multimedia illustrator from Toronto, currently in their thesis year at OCAD University where they have been studying Illustration. They enjoy creating comics that take place in an uncanny and oversaturated world where self-discovery and identity come to the forefront. Anita is also an avid doll-maker and makes custom collectibles hand-sewn with love.
Dylon Feyen (He/Him)
is an aspiring artist with a Master of Architecture from Toronto Metropolitan University.
He has expertise in all things technology and the integration of digital media within our built world. Using mixed mediums his art explores the depths of personal and community perceptions, often touching on mental health issues surrounding the use of technologies like social media.
Sophia Chavez (She/Her)
is a Toronto-based multidisciplinary artist. Having graduated from OCAD's Drawing and Painting program, she is mainly an oil painter, but has honed her skills in graphite, and oil pastel. Her body of work is primarily centered around representational portraits that explore themes of girlhood, identity, and the diaspora. Apart from fine art endeavors, Sophia is also a tattoo artist. She integrates her sketchbook drawings, which are characterized by their lively and playful nature, into her tattoo designs. This unique approach allows her to infuse her tattoo artistry with the same creative energy found in her sketches. Sophia is deeply committed to community engagement in the arts. She actively participates in various community-run art programs, including Kapisanan’s FilipinX Arts Mentorship, where she shares her passion for art with others.
Kyle Andrews, (He/Him)
is an artist and comedian from Toronto. He received a degree in Visual Arts and Art History from the University of Western Ontario and is trained in both digital and traditional drawing and painting. Drawing influence from Pop-Art, Surrealism, B-movie posters, and a deep love of the fantasy and horror genres, his work has been featured in and commissioned for journals and magazines, posters, comic book covers, and character design and concept art for animation. With styles ranging from illustration, to realism, to the absurd, Kyle is interested in the narrative aspect of art, and strives to combine his subject matter, influences and styles into interesting and cohesive stories.
Monina Cepeda (She/Her)
Is a Toronto-based Filipino-Canadian self-taught creative and entrepreneur. She graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Science degree as a Biology specialist with a minor in Geoscience. During the pandemic, Monina decided to switch career paths and dive into the art career she always wanted. Beginning with intuitive abstract acrylic paintings, then clothing design and then most recently, handmade ceramics.
In 2022, Monina took part in The inHERitance Exhibit through The Quiet Immigrant Project exhibiting her acrylic painting “Oriented” in the J.D. Carrier Art Gallery highlighting the influence her mother had on honing her intuition.
Monina loves to play with new mediums to express creativity and enjoys coalescing skills from all her lived experiences. She specializes in acrylic paint and ceramics focusing on line, form and colour. She loves helping others discover their creative spirit and find joy in art.
Danica Loncar, Director Emeritus
is the founder of Art Works Art School and Gallery and served as both Director and Curator from 2003 to 2021.
Danica is an Honours graduate of OCAD University, specializing in Drawing & Painting. She is a painter and teacher who taught both art and design at the college level and to high school students. She was represented by Nancy Poole's Studio in Yorkville for a number of years and has participated in numerous venues including juried shows, group shows, solo exhibitions, and commissioned projects both in Canada and internationally. Recently, Danica has been featured in various publications including several OCADU Alumni feature profiles. She was interviewed on radio and television, as a guest speaker at Concordia University Faculty of Art Education, as a panellist on the OCAD University Career Panel, and invited to serve as a jurist for the McMichael Canadian Art Collection Spring Fundraiser in Kleinburg. Danica is a recipient of the Lieutenant Governor's medal.
Danica credits her inspiration and motivation for creating Art Works Art School and Gallery to the opportunity given her by Joyce Wieland back in 1989 at Wieland's Alma Gallery in Toronto, where Wieland encouraged and invited Danica and other young artists to exhibit their work alongside hers.
If you would like to know more about Danica and her current work titled Sanctuary Series, please visit her website.
Our Programs
The Sprout Programs are for students ages 4-6 years. This is a nutritional program, that develops personal expression, imagination, and self-esteem, planting the knowledge of art and design at a young age.
The Seedling Programs are for students ages 7-11. This well-balanced yet rapid-growing program is providing the fundamentals in art, design, technique, and proper use of materials, to grow into a blooming confident artist.
The Budding Programs are for students ages 10-13. This growth program focuses on developing techniques and encouraging confidence with different mediums. This developmental stage is to strengthen our budding artist’s portfolio for High School applications.
The Flowering programs are for students ages 14-18. Students are given more opportunities to work independently, learn to develop art, fortify their technique with materials, tools and create an eye-catching portfolio, specific to their requirements for High School and Post-Secondary School applications.
The Blooming Programs offer a variety of painting and drawing classes for the beginner as well as the more experienced plant in a supportive and structured environment.
March Break and Summer Camp correspond with the TDSB/TCDSB holiday schedule. Camp ages for Camp are for 4-6, 6-9, and 8-16 years.
We also offer a variety of short-term workshops and classes every month for kids and adults to enjoy!