Mukami Ireri
Owner/ Kids Art & Teen Art Classes
I am Mukami Ireri, an art teacher and the owner of Galleria Art Studio.
Born and brought up in Kenya, I have loved all things art from as young as 5 years old. As a young adult, I became a self-taught ‘artist’ and got commissions from family and friends, who encouraged me to pursue my talent.
I migrated to Perth Western Australia in 1999, to study at Notre Dame University where I graduated with a Bachelor of Business in Marketing and Human Resource Management. Soon after, I enrolled for a Masters in Teaching degree at the same university. During my studies I realised my passion for working with children and immediately after completion, I was employed as a Specialist Art teacher at Port Hedland Primary School. During my teaching career I enrolled at the Pilbara TAFE and graduated with Certificate 3 and 4 in Visual Art and Design.
Being an art teacher gave me the opportunity to combine two things I loved, working with children and creating art. As a result, I received many requests from parents to provide their kids with after school art classes, so I started an After School Art Club which became extremely popular. After teaching in the Pilbara for 10 years, it was time for my husband and I to move back to the city. Naturally I was inspired to start a children’s art school as I witnessed the difference art made in children’s visual learning, creativity and self-esteem, just to mention a few. All this coincided with the time Galleria Art Studio was going up for sale. Needless to say, I jumped at the opportunity and purchased Galleria Art Studio in 2019.
I am currently the Specialist Art teacher at a Catholic school in Perth as well as one of the teachers at Galleria Art Studio.
My team and I welcome you to Galleria Art Studio where artistic dreams are realised every day!
David Jay Reed
Adult Drawing Classes
I was born in Japan, but by the age of 10 had also lived in Australia and America. I received an Associate of Arts Degree from Contra Costa College, in California and later my Bachelor of Art (Design) from Curtin University, here in Perth.
In 1992, I went back to live in Tokyo, where I taught English as a Second Language (ESL) while exhibiting my art. Six years later, I returned to Perth, where I taught art and English at various colleges, including North Metropolitan TAFE.
In 1998, I was fortunate enough to meet the late Keith Howard who convinced me to complete a Masters of Art at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in upper New York State, USA. After graduating, I taught drawing, printmaking, and computer graphics there for three years.
In 2008, I was invited to head the IB Diploma Visual Arts Course at Beijing Huijia Private School, in China, where I taught for 12 years before returning to Perth.
I have been involved in many exhibitions, and have been fortunate enough to have won numerous awards and to have my artwork represented in private and public collections throughout the world.
Jacqueline Penton Skipp
Adult Acrylic Classes
Jacqueline was born in the UK. She studied and worked in the fields of art and design, predominantly working in design, illustration, murals, mosaics and teaching. As an artist she works mainly in acrylics on board or canvas but also loves to work with other mediums and disciplines, particularly recycled materials.
As a child Jacqui experienced recurrent dreams which have influenced her work adding a childlike innocence but with dark overtones that reflect our world and its problems.
Her current series is a comment on the plight of Bees which in turn could result in a sad reality for the world.
Jacqui is a member of the Contemporary Australian Surrealists Movement.
Torsten Knorr
Adult Watercolour Classes
Adult Oil Classes
I graduated from Curtin University with a Bachelor of Art Education in 1991 and have worked primarily as a painter. Over this time, I have taught art at many levels including university and tertiary institutions, as well as teaching watercolour at the Galleria Art Studio for the last 6 years.
As a painter I have been privileged to have had some success, culminating in my work being represented in several public and private art collections both locally and abroad.
I have exhibited my work both in Australia and overseas, including China and Italy where I was represented by the AM International Gallery, and I have been fortunate enough to have won several art awards.
Correna Grenfell
Holiday Kids Art Workshops
Correna's childhood dream was to be an artist or a teacher, and she loves that she has the best of both worlds. Her love for teaching has led her to graduate with a Bachelor of Education specialising in special needs. Passionate about accessibility, sign language is a natural addition to her teaching process. Now working as a primary school art specialist, she also specialises as a watercolour expert at Kalamunda Senior High School's Gifted and Talented Visual Arts Program.
Correna believes that art is so vital to a child's development and hopes to share her love and passion for visual arts through teaching others.
Lynn Mudie
Little Art Classes
Lynn is a very experienced art teacher having taught in a K-12 capacity in a Perth private school for the past 20 years. She enjoys working in a range of art media to inspire and foster the development of creativity and skills and processes in a fun and nurturing environment.
Having Masters degrees in Fine Art, Lynn has developed mastery in a number of areas in her own practice. She believes strongly that arts learning enhances meta cognition - having a flow on effect into core subject areas.
Lynn is committed to providing meaningful and engaging learning experiences to the students in her care.
Lyn Williamson
Kids Art / Kids Drawing classes
After a career in accounting and software development, a life change prompted a swerve….
I rediscovered the creative arts. Having no idea where to start, I commenced Visual Arts study at Curtin University and completed the study at Studio Arts International College in Florence Italy. This rounded out both an academic and practical training in Visual Fine Arts. These studies also include an intense course in traditional printmaking and book binding.
My method of practice is traditional and I never go out without my sketchbook. That tradition does not include working tools. I will try anything that will make a mark!!!!!!!!
I have recently relocated from Queensland where I had a working printmaking studio and taught as well. A stint as a board member on The Caloundra Arts Centre and lead of The Hardpressed Printmakers gave me the experience outside the studio. I love inspiring creativity in others especially children. I feel that the gift of creativity to children sets them up for a successful start to anything in life they wish to do. A kick start to confidence; to navigate some of the problems they encounter in every day life.