8 | LUXlife Magazine Best Art Class Provider – East Midlands & LUXlife Client Service Excellence Award There is an artist within everyone, it is just a matter of discovering the medium and subject for you. Art is about enjoying the process of creativity without the fear of making mistakes, something that The Drawing Room in Hinckley understands well. Offering students of all abilities a safe, fun, and friendly environment to explore their creativity, the independent art studio has been awarded in the Creative and Visual Arts Awards 2024. Owner and Director Julia Smith tells us more, below. The Drawing Room was established in 2015 by Julia Smith and supports a wide range of students of all ages, abilities, backgrounds, and interests. From group activities and projects to personal tuition, the studio provides an array of inspirational art lessons designed around varying needs. Regardless of past experience, every student will receive expert tuition, demonstrations, and individual guidance from professional artist and teacher Julia Smith. Julia Smith is a Fine Artist from Leicestershire who has been teaching painting and drawing for more than two decades, catering to a variety of students with diverse abilities and demands. After studying at both Loughborough and Preston Polytechnic, Julia graduated from art college in 1984 and went on to find success in a number of prestigious arts awards. This then enabled her to continue developing her craft in the Northern landscapes of Cumbria, originally a printmaker of etchings and stone lithography but now primarily a painter. Now, Julia’s main focus is on serving as a beacon of inspiration for her students, sharing her love of art with the world. “ “I believe that art is for everyone,” she tells us. “We can all learn theories of colour, composition, and perspective, find and explore painting and drawing techniques, and how to use materials. Some of us have a little more flair and pick it up quicker than others, like with many other interests and hobbies. I lead by example, encourage, and give one-toone assistance to those who need it, using different teaching strategies to consolidate their learning of the subject and maximise their potential to hone their skills and gain greater confidence and enjoyment.” With comfort and enjoyment highly prioritised by The Drawing Room, every member is made to feel valued and welcome, whatever their skillset. Julie’s aim has always been to provide value for money, never becoming greedy with costs, and ensuring that each experience is memorable, fun, and social. In fact, many lifelong friendships have been established through art lessons and arranged days out. The Drawing Room stands out for its commitment to supporting its students and sharing a love for art with the world. This is further demonstrated in the multiple glowing reviews left by students of the studio, praising Julia for opening up the world of art for them. “We have been lucky enough to be able to access tuition from Julia for our carers group for some art therapy,” says Tracy. “It’s been a great experience for all of us, and we have learned so much. Julia is a great teacher.” “What a welcoming and comforting environment,” writes Gav, “Julia is a great teacher with the patience and skill to guide you to produce your best. I found the beginners’ Saturday class a fantastic first painting experience.” In order to continue delivering inspirational classes that help students of all abilities to thrive, The Drawing Room continually adapts and evolves its services to coincide with market changes. Following the pandemic lockdown, Julia found that there has been a growing market for online classes and courses. During that time, The Drawing Room livestreamed all classes for members and discovered that many students preferred this way of learning. Looking ahead, Julia tells us, “Online classes is an area that I will be pursuing more of in the future, as well as subscription boxes delivered to our members’ door.” In addition to this, the studio will be opening as an exhibition space for attendees to enjoy seeing their work on display and for sale. This will further The Drawing Room’s exceptional endeavours to make art more accessible and engaging for its members, fostering a sense of community and belonging for its members. Since its beginnings, The Drawing Room has been committed to supporting students of all ages and abilities, successfully demonstrating that creating and enjoying art is possible for everyone. Julia has done a fantastic job of nurturing the talent of Hinckley, and has driven The Drawing Room to tremendous heights, and we cannot wait to see what the future holds for this superb studio. Contact: Julia Smith Company: The Drawing Room Web Address: https://thedrawingroomhinckley.com/
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