Artvark Studios Montreal | Montreal Jewish Magazine

WELCOME TO ARTVARK STUDIOS, where creativity comes to life! Whether you’re a child or a terrified adult beginner, this is the perfect place to start – to discover and explore your full artistic potential. Here, we offer realistic drawing courses for everyone, from kids as young as 5 to teens and adult beginners in a fun, safe, and inspiring environment that fosters growth, confidence, and a love for the arts.
Drawing is the root and essential language of all visual arts—it’s the key to unlocking your artistic expression.
At ARTvark Studios, we believe in the power of art to connect you to the world around you, deepening your understanding of nature, beauty, and the endless possibilities within you.
Come join us and start your artistic journey today!

Address:

Montreal West, Qc

Telephone Number:

514 649-7179

E-Mail:

[email protected]

Contact:

Toula Michalakis

ABOUT ARTVARK STUDIOS
Drawing is a natural ability that we all have, and it’s a skill that can be developed with the right approach.
ARTvark Studios has incorporated a unique approach to teaching realistic drawing based on the Monart method designed by Mona Brookes. This method focuses on helping students recognize and isolate the five basic elements of shape that make up everything we want to draw!
Mona Brookes explains that “simple shapes like circles, triangles, and squares are insufficient for capturing the complexity of the material world, making it difficult to draw successfully without proper guidance.”
Just as learning musical notes is fundamental to playing an instrument, just as every dance has its basic movements or steps – the alphabet of shape is fundamental to drawing.
At ARTvark Studios we offer age-appropriate projects for children as young as five, teens, and beginner adults.
Two main principles that make this method so successful:
– A non-competitive, supportive environment.
– Every project is structured to ensure success and enough freedom for individual creativity.
Drawing, like speaking, is a natural way to communicate our many emotions, which dates back from primitive cave paintings to ancient Egyptian tombs.
We’ve always learned by copying and modeling. Even our great Masters have begun their artistic adventure by copying other Masters.
ARTvark Studios embraces this idea by allowing both children and adults to learn through step-by-step instructions, building skills from the basics and eventually using that knowledge to create something new and original.

ABOUT ITS BENEFITS

The Monart method helps students improve attention to visual detail, visual perception, spatial organization, hand-eye coordination, patience, problem-solving skills, critical thinking skills, creativity, and building self-esteem. They will appreciate differences instead of comparing their drawings, and will become confident, independent, and creative in their artwork. These skills go beyond art and can be applied to other areas of life.
PRIVATE AND SEMI-PRIVATE CLASSES IN A HOME-BASED ENVIRONMENT
In a world that’s rapidly changing, the ability to think creatively, communicate clearly, and work confidently are more important than ever. At ARTvark Studios, we focus on helping students build these qualities, giving them skills that will last a lifetime.

ABOUT THE TEACHER
Hi, I’m Toula Michalakis, and I’ve always had a passion for the arts in all its forms. I hold an A.E.C. in Early Childhood Education, a diploma in Fine Arts, and a Monart teacher certificate for teaching realistic drawing to children and beginner adults.
Art has always been a part of my life, and I’ve reached a point where I feel it’s time to share my passion for the visual arts with others while continuing to pursue my own creative journey. After discovering Monart, I was inspired to open a home-based art school in 2023, where I could pass on my knowledge and love for art to students of all ages. It’s a way for me to give back to the community and inspire others to explore their creative potential.
Imagine a world without art — what a dull and colorless place our world would be.
I believe that art has the power to enrich our lives, spark imagination, and bring people together. I’m excited to be a part of that process and help others discover the joy and beauty that art can bring.
My style is based on teaching patience, attention to detail, and encouraging students to explore their creativity while building strong foundational skills and self-confidence in a fun and safe environment.