Our friendly, experienced teachers share their knowledge and inspire you to develop your personal artistic style.
Teacher guiding student
Ju-Yuen Chew - General Drawing Teacher
Ju-Yuen Chew is a Graduate of Fine Arts (Illustration) and is currently completing her Masters of Fine Arts (Drawing) at Monash University. She is a winner of multiple art prizes and well known for her dynamic "kinetic" drawings.
Geoff Dupree - Pathway to Fine Arts: Drawing and Painting Studio, Pathway to Fine Arts: Painting in Oils and Water Media
Geoff Dupree is a graduate of the City and Guilds of London Art School, and St Martins School of Art, London; Masters Degree, RMIT University, Melbourne.
A representational teacher and exhibiting painter, Geoff is a highly respected member of Melbourne’s art community. A number of rising contemporary artists studied under the drawing program Geoff designed and developed at Monash University.
Michael Gray - Art Discovery: Drawing & Painting for Beginners; Sculpture and Studio Management
A graduate of Fine Arts (Monash Uni), Michael also holds a Diploma of Education. A committed and articulate teacher, his specialties are teaching sculpture and introductory painting courses. Michael also works as the MSA and Art Encounters Studio Manager.
Dena Lester - Corporate Programs and Workshops
A graduate in Fine Arts with Distinction from RMIT, Dena Lester has a consistent exhibition history as a contemporary photographic installation artist. Founder and director of both Art Encounters and Melbourne Studio of Art, Dena takes a strong interest in the schools’ creative processes.
Daniel Smith - Pathway to Fine Arts: Drawing & Painting Intensive for Beginners/Intermediate; Art Discovery: Drawing and Painting for Beginners
Dan Smith graduated with a B.T.E.C Diploma in Foundation Studies from Bourneville College of Art, Birmingham, England. Dan was then accepted at Falmouth College of Art but decided to defer for a year and travelled around Australia and parts of Indonesia. Upon returning to the U.K, he became a Buddhist Monk, living in monasteries in the U.K and North East Thailand. In 2004, after five years as a monk, Dan disrobed and continued his path as an artist. Since 2004, he has worked full time as a painter, exhibiting in many galleries in the U.K and Australia. Dan is in constant demand for commissioned work and now exhibits at one of the most prestigious photo-real galleries in the world.
Rebecca Harris - Art Discovery: Drawing and Painting for Beginners
Rebecca Harris is a dynamic contemporary artist whose practice includes drawing, painting, installation, film and sound work. Beck has recently spent time in Europe deepening her artistic practice is happily returning to teach once again at the Melbourne Studio of Art.
Shane Kent - Art Discovery: Oil Painting for Beginners
Shane Kent has a long history of teaching painting, drawing, design and ceramics. A Master of Fine Arts (Monash University) currently represented by Australian Galleries, Shane generously designs his courses to maximise the students learning experience.
