Meet Our Team
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Passionate About Art Education
Diana became the owner of Aliki’s Art House in 2012 after experiencing the life-changing impact of art for herself as a student and for her family as a parent.
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Trained as a Speech-Language Pathologist at the University of British Columbia, she brings a strong knowledge base of right and left-brain functioning, including the value of using art and drawing to enhance self expression, thinking, problem-solving and learning.
She enjoyed much success and fulfillment when she specialized in neurological communication disorders for almost 15 years in both public and private practice.
She remains connected to her professional community by hosting fundraisers and integrating students with aphasia or other disabilities into classes and camps.
Diana gained valuable entrepreneurial, leadership and team-building skills through her involvement in numerous non-profit initiatives in her profession and community.
Diana’s caring nature coupled with her leadership skills, dedicated work ethic and educational background is a perfect fit with Aliki’s mission of delivering superior quality art education with exceptional customer service.
She enjoys operating the art studio located in the quaint neighbourhood where she lives with her husband and four children.
Penny Atkins is an artist and teacher who has a passion for witnessing how students learn and grow through artistic expression.
Early on Penny was deeply influenced by famous artist Modigliani. This led to a love of abstract portraiture and a deep appreciation for colour theory.
Now, using chalk pastel, she draws portraits of people and pets. Painting brightly coloured, whimsical landscapes in acrylic medium is Penny’s specialty.
As a member of Voice and Vision, Penny’s work has been featured in Voice and Vision magazine as well as Airdrie Life Magazine.
Having used art therapy as a connection tool in bridging gaps for those with cognitive issues, Penny has discovered a calling.
To further pursue this calling, she is currently studying for certification in art therapy. Penny’s main goal is to inspire joy, confidence and connection in her teaching!
Alesha was born in Lethbridge, Alberta and grew up in beautiful British Columbia. Her path along art education began with a Jewelry and Metals Diploma Program in the basement of the Vancouver Community College.
From there, she came back to Alberta to further her studies at the Alberta College of Art and Design. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Art Degree, Major in Jewelry and Metals.
Alesha is best known for her jewelry, ornamental sculptures and mixed media paintings. She uses many different mediums and found objects to express herself.
Everything from pottery, paintings, metals, organic materials like dried roots and dried vines from her garden, and has discovered a new love for the fiber arts.
Alesha’s creations deliver organic structures with a heavy influence of the invaluable existence of beauty and the hidden destruction that follows.
Alesha’s work has been shown in many exhibitions in Alberta. She has shared her art and talent in a range of community initiatives and volunteer activities including the Visions & Voices project, Garage Art Gang and as a guest artist at Nose Creek Elementary School, Airdrie, Alberta.
Deborah Lawton (B.F.A.) studied art at the Alberta College of Art (1982) and also at the University of Calgary. It was here that she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in sculpture (1988). She also studied Costume and Set Design at the U of C.
As a sculptor, Deborah has exhibited her sculptures in several locations in Alberta and private collections in Western Canada. She is passionate about sharing the love of art with her community.
She encourages fellow artists to pursue their talent and has been teaching Fine Art in Alberta since 1985. Deborah loves to ignite the potential of young artists and it is this desire that led her, in 2005, to teach for Airdrie Kiononia Christian School as the Sr. Drama and Fine Art instructor.
Active also in the theatrical community, she has designed and constructed costumes and sets for several local theatrical productions.
Since 1999, she has worked for the Canadian Badlands Passion Play primarily in the wardrobe department and has filled the role as the Production Designer.
As the owner of Art Branch Studio Deborah is also able to ‘branch out’ into the many areas of her creativity (sculpture, teaching, graphic design, custom jewelry and clothing).
Annaka
Aliki's Art House has been a huge part of Karina's life. She took her very first summer camp there at age 6. Over the years, she's had so many roles at the studio from camp volunteer to teaching assistant, and now as an independent instructor.
She is a young instructor with a big love for creativity and making art fun for kids! She got her start as a volunteer, sharing the joy of art and discovering that working with young artists was her happy place. After a stint as an assistant, Karina now leads her own classes at Aliki's Art House, where her goal is to make each session as fun and inspiring as possible.
Over the years, she’s become a familiar face at the studio, where she teaches everything from weekly classes to summer art camps. She’s also brought her creative spark to other places like the Calgary Jewish Cultural Centre, always excited to share new ideas with curious young minds.
Karina will be diving into an art degree next year, and she can’t wait to bring back fresh techniques and inspiration for her students. For her, it’s all about building a space where kids feel free to explore, create, and make a little magic with their art!
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Aliki’s 7-step system is a unique teaching method. We’ve broken down the process of drawing into basic skills and teach each skill in a series of steps. We don’t just tell our students what to do and expect them to do it; we explain the steps and show them how to succeed at them, providing feedback along the way. Our methodology has been tried and tested for almost 3 decades. Our claim to fame? We can teach ANYONE how to draw in as little as a day.
One of the best things you can do is buy the book, Drawing with Children by Mona Brookes, and start working through it together with your child.
Talent is optional – interest is an asset! If you have the inner desire to be an artist, becoming one is very possible. Most people believe the myth that you must be talented in order to create. That’s just not so. What you need is to be shown, in a very structured way, the steps to getting there. Drawing classes will automatically give you the boost you need to begin. Because a realistic style of drawing is so valued, most people think if they can’t draw realistically, they must not be an artist. Not true. However, once you learn the secrets to drawing realistically, it does give you the confidence to understand that art is an opportunity open to all.
Often, the reason children don’t show any interest in art is that they have simply not been taught how to create. Although drawing skills do come naturally for some children, most need to be taught these skills. It’s unfortunate that some children discount their artistic ability at an early age. However, this can be changed. If your child doesn’t show any interest in art, perhaps all he or she needs is some good instruction (see book suggestion above). No one wants to try something that they don’t think they’ll be good at. Children get easily frustrated when their drawings don’t look realistic (if that is their goal). By introducing children to the process of learning HOW to draw, they can become successful.
Teaching the world to draw since 1991!
Welcome to a journey where art is not just a skill but a way of life! Since our founding in 1991, we have been dedicated to teaching practical art skills that empower individuals to express themselves, discover new talents, and gain confidence in their abilities. Our mission is to make art accessible to everyone and to nurture creativity in a supportive and inspiring environment.
Calgary, AB, T2K 3J3