Art Works Studio
Art Works Studio is a community-oriented institution dedicated to introducing individuals of all ages to the captivating realms of art and design. We combine traditional and contemporary studio practices with rich historical references to create a holistic learning experience.
Originally situated in Toronto's Baby Point District, the beloved "blue house on Jane" had to close its doors at the original location in 2019. However, we are excited to announce that Art Works has returned to the Baby Point community! The warm welcome we've received has been heartening, and we are thrilled to offer engaging programs such as March Break and Summer camps, as well as weekly classes in the Fall, Winter, and Spring.
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
Joana Gomes is the new director of Art Works Studio. She is a graduate of Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, where she received a Diploma in Recreational and Leisure Services in 2016. She also holds a certificate in Media Fundamentals, majoring in Photography, from Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, obtained in 2011.
Joana's journey with Art Works began in 2010 as a Co-op Student. Over the years, she took on various roles, including Volunteer, Camp Manager, Volunteer Coordinator, Gallery Curator, Occasional Art Instructor, and most recently, Assistant Director. Her dedication spans 14 years with Art Works.
Her passion for both business and art led her to become an entrepreneur at the age of 24, creating paper flowers for special events and designing outdoor rugs for home decor. Throughout her career, Joana learned from her peers and colleagues about art program planning, staff management, and gained insights from Danica Loncar, the Director Emeritus of Art Works Art School. Together, they established strong connections with the Baby Point, Bloor West Village, Kingsway, and Junction Communities.
Joana's vision for Art Works Art School is to uphold its legacy as an inclusive art studio for all ages and to expand its reach to other communities in Toronto.
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Goodness Delivered
Our skilled and knowledgeable instructors are dedicated to teaching you or your little ones the fundamentals, techniques, and joys that art can bring. We believe art comes in many forms and that everyone can enjoy it, whether they are in the budding beginner phase or the blooming period of their artistic journey.
At Art Works, we take pride in the fact that more than half of our classes consistently see returning students. Beyond our long-term courses, we strive to engage the community through a variety of art-related activities, including 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.
After over a decade of education to become an architect, and after much deliberation, Dylon had decided for himself “Umm no, this is not for me.” So he packed his desk and went along his artist’s journey, tackling all the new challenges that crossed his path toward his sincerest passion of educating. With brush in hand, and pen in the other, and oh, there’s a crayon between those fingers, and clay stuck in his palm, and… oh my, he sure has a lot of different media thrown down there - but one thing is for certain - he has the skills to use them! Through his generalist education to become a mastered architect, Dylon honed many skills with all varieties of medium, along with the creative freedom to combine them. The resulting artwork of his is visually captivating showcasing vibrant colours and fantastical themes, combined with a deep understanding of spatial construction and perspective skills. In his goal of educating others, Dylon’s choice-based art instruction puts the student in charge of their creative time and energy, and builds an artist’s independence and capabilities to become self directed.
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.
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!