Creative Director & Safeguarding Lead

Alison has been running art classes for over 12 years, and just loves it! She’s full of ideas and enjoys planning our courses and events. She set up the Art For Life Academy two years ago to offer art activities for children and teenagers. Alison has worked with children and young people for many years as a volunteer in churches and youth camps, and loves the freedom, creativity and imagination they have. She organises the kids courses and workshops, and manages the bookings, as well as popping into class whenever possible.

Favourite things: art galleries, the great outdoors, ready salted crisps and post-it notes.

Tutor

Diane has 30 years of experience teaching young people and adults with special needs. A specialist in mosaics, one of her larger pieces can be found in the reception of NESCOT College. She spends many hours with her grandchildren making a glorious creative mess! She’s also run her own cake making business and has dabbled in stained glass, willow weaving, and blacksmithing! She loves cooking for other people and spending time in her garden.

Favourite things : Bruce Springsteen, red wine, wild open spaces, abstract art, a basket of yarn.

Tutor & First Aider

Ginny's artistic journey began with her childhood in India and continues to be enriched by travels abroad. Drawing inspiration from diverse experiences, she uses art as a medium for expressing gratitude. Ginny is dedicated to fostering artistic engagement in future generations, with a wealth of experience running workshops in local schools and the wider commuity. In 2020 she was also shortlisted among the top 20 artists for Surrey Artist of the Year.

Favourite Things : Long meditative walks, cooking and gardening.

AFL Academy Tutor and First Aider

Louisa has 20 years of experience teaching young people and adults. She has experience as a teacher, professional face painter and has run private workshops. Having taught computers and media studies encouraging learners to be creative - she is a firm believer we can all be artists.

Favourite things – Elvis, dancing, time with her grandchild & being outside in nature.

Art Assistant

Vicky specialises in textile design and loves contemporary art. By day, she works as an art technician in a prestigious secondary school and in her spare time is studying Art Therapy. As well as being mum to two creative children herself, she is fantastically efficient, a lovely human being, and a talented artist.

Favourite things: Prosecco and Gustav Klimt’s ‘The Kiss’.

AFL Academy Tutor

Chantal got into resin art over lockdown and her enthusiasm for art knows no bounds! She takes so much pleasure in teaching art and experimenting with all mediums. Chantal gets real joy out of helping children discover art and is also an Assistant Swimming Teacher, helping children learn to swim. Her particular specialty is helping children who might be anxious to feel comfortable to join in.

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Favourite things: her young family, the beach, summer, travel, synchronised swimming.

Emma has a Fine Art degree and teaches in a primary school. Nature is her inspiration, she loves wildlife, walking and spending time in Brighton, Devon and Cornwall. She has recently been painting seascapes and landscapes in water mixable oils. 

Emma loves sharing her knowledge of art mediums and relishes the freedom of creating fluid art in acrylic paint, acrylic ink and alcohol inks. 

Favourite things : reading, gardening and spending time by the sea. 

Jo studied Theatre art at the BRIT school, including, set design, prop making, costumes and makeup. Then TV and film design at Hull Uni. She’s worked in the art therapy room of Royal Hospital of Neurodisability. Currently she’s doing 1:1 SEN work with young children and studying for a level 3 Childcare qualification.

Jo loves sculpture, clay, collage, messy art and more refined brushwork. Trying lots of different mediums and having fun! Having a go and seeing what happens.

Favorite things: Bob Mortimer, Bees, Crumpets, Fantastic Mr Fox, Hedgehogs, and BBC 6 Radio 🙂.